Svlad Cjelli See my post on page two of this thread, which references The Green Guide on capacities and which clearly shows that the benefit to be offered isn't just a sneering " ... the fans will be happy."
Instead, the potential benefit is an 80% increase in capacity for any area converted to safe-standing. Should the club be promoted and selling capacity every week, which isn't too far-fetched a scenario, then this is a relatively cheap way to increase capacity - much cheaper than a full-blown stadium expansion, anyway. Yes of course there is capital outlay, but the increase in income - assuming the capacity can be sold, of course - will give a payback over a certain number of months, which can be properly considered just like any other business case.
Anyway, you seem to be talking just about the MadStad. But this isn't just about the one stadium. It's about places like Scunny - under the current legislation this is the last season they are allowed a standing area so they have to convert to seating (expensively, cutting their already low capacity) to absolutely no advantage and for no safety reasons - just an out-dated law.
It's also about lots of other grounds where Reading may visit, including potential new builds. You obviously like to sit at matches, and fair play to you, that's your choice - if you go to away matches, where you have no choice on seating, you're likely to have someone in front of you who likes to stand. The benefit to you is that if they have the choice of a safe-standing area they'll go stand there and those people who can't or don't want to sit can do so more easily.
So it's pointless arguing about the suitability of the MadStad - that comes later (maybe with expansion work in future?)) but the law needs changing first, which is where we are now.
So, I'll keep my business case going then.
"Oh, sorry Mr Madejski, there is a view that we will be able to increase the capacity of the stands where we go to 'safe standing' by up to 80%. Ok, we can't sell out the current capacity but at least we'll have the spare room for the odd time when we have a potential large crowd. Oh, and at the moment that is likely to be the rare FA Cup match against a top 6 team - just the time when the possible crowd risks increase."
Still not very convincing is it?
I hear the case that this is about more than Madejski Stadium but I still think that this is a long term aspiration of a relatively small but very vocal minority of football fans.
