Safe Standing issue

TrueBlue · Jan 10, 2013

[video=youtube;apX5V1IJCW4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=apX5V1IJCW4[/video]

Now tell me that this country should not give fans the choice - no brainier

Imagine behind the goal at the new stadium with this system!

Liam AAS · Jan 10, 2013

I think we have to consider ourselves lucky that the N Bank stewards are very tolerant of us standing. But to have this system at FF... quality. We'd be the envy of the football league.

Good find TB

Jai · Jan 10, 2013

Fans are behind a choice and rightly so. In reality, there's no safety issue with rail seats as every fan has a designated 'space' so it's not like traditional terracing.

The problem is, the Premier League, clubs, politicians and TV companies aren't interested and in many cases have an agenda against it (clubs don't want the expense of revamping stadia again, politicians consider terrace-dwelling fans to be yobs plus there's pathological if misguided fear of another Hillsborough, Premier League has championed how safe grounds are now they are all-seater and wants to be seen to be attracting families rather than young males who fit the terracing demographic, police want the control of fans sitting down in an allocated seat).

I can't see it happening unfortunately. Not that it'll stop me campaigning for it in All At Sea and supporting the likes of Stand AMF in their bid to get the issue noticed.

It would be nice to get the issue considered for Fossetts Farm though, but unless the rules change (no terracing in the Championship) it won't make any sense for Ronald to do it.

Jai · Jan 10, 2013

Those of you who meet with Steve Kavanagh may want to ask if the FSF's safe standing roadshow has been to SUFC yet. Apparently all clubs it has visited have been very impressed. Might be worth mentioning to him.

Plus, it's worth trying to appeal to Ron's sense of vanity. We would be the envy of the whole Football League and he laps that kind of thing up.

TrueBlue · Jan 10, 2013

clubs don't want the expense of revamping stadia again

Why it would pay for itself!

Csboy · Jan 10, 2013

Ive been to German games where they have safe standing areas. You buy a ticket and are given an entrance to go in just like you would if you have a seat so there is no chance of overcrowding. I woud love to see a return to standing areas but the powers that be are not interested.

dannypav · Jan 10, 2013

I'm all for safe standing etc and grew up watching football on the terraces in the 70's and 80's.
I think fans acknowledge that in the majority of cases , all seater stadiums have lost a lot of the atmosphere of the terraces , but equally understand that post-Hillsborough , things had to change ( won't go into the rights and wrongs of that one now as far too emotive ).
What I will say though is that whilst I would love a return to ( controlled ) terraces , clubs can effectively charge more for seating so it's unlikely to get universal support due to the loss in ticket revenue they would face.

madetotry · Jan 10, 2013

dannypav said:
clubs can effectively charge more for seating so it's unlikely to get universal support due to the loss in ticket revenue they would face.

It would actually increase ticket revenue as it increases capacity as the presenter starts saying 15 seconds into the video the 3000 seated area once turned into a standing area holds 5700. So with those figures the income based on Brentfords prices for seating/standing goes from £45000 to £68400. Although at the moment thats more than the average attendance :(

Jam_Man · Jan 10, 2013

madetotry said:
It would actually increase ticket revenue as it increases capacity as the presenter starts saying 15 seconds into the video the 3000 seated area once turned into a standing area holds 5700. So with those figures the income based on Brentfords prices for seating/standing goes from £45000 to £68400. Although at the moment thats more than the average attendance :(

Welcome to the zone.

That only means anything if you are selling out of course, plus the cost would surely be less to stand so you would lose a bit on each 'seat' if attendances didnt go up..

If we changed a stand now our attendance wouldnt suddenly increase.

That said I definitely think its time to bring it in. Youll never get massive terraces with surging crowds but having designated "seat" numbers where people stand sounds perfect. Doubt people would stick to them but as each row is seperated you couldnt get crushing.

What better time to introduce it than a new stadium build ?

Shrimper · Jan 10, 2013

If Standing is safe as shown in that picture then I see no reason why it can't be re-introduced. I'd think/hope that the new stadium will have a block or two (Capacity for around 1,000 - whatever's bigger).

Jam_Man · Jan 10, 2013

I think it will certainly be limited, I couldnt see it ever be applied to a whole stand.

Shrimper · Jan 10, 2013

If we ever managed to get a whole stand, similar to what Dortmund had that'd be amazing.

Jam_Man · Jan 10, 2013

I dont think that will happen, Im sure that there will be certain areas, just behind the goal etc set up, but I dont think they will ever agree to an entire stand. Personally dont see anything wrong with an entire stand, as if its safe for 1000 it should be just as safe for 6,000, but Im sure a large scale standing area would be considered too much of a risk.

Shrimper · Jan 10, 2013

Agree with you. Make the North Bank the TBV end - standing for around 6,000 would be epic. I'd probably get a ticket in there every now and then outside of my seaso.

madetotry · Jan 10, 2013

Jam_Man said:
Welcome to the zone.

That only means anything if you are selling out of course, plus the cost would surely be less to stand so you would lose a bit on each 'seat' if attendances didnt go up..

If we changed a stand now our attendance wouldnt suddenly increase.

That said I definitely think its time to bring it in. Youll never get massive terraces with surging crowds but having designated "seat" numbers where people stand sounds perfect. Doubt people would stick to them but as each row is seperated you couldnt get crushing.

What better time to introduce it than a new stadium build ?

Thanks :smile:

ofc you have to be at capacity or near it every game for it to make a difference, forgot to add that, got side tracked by revision for tomorrows exams :blush:

Mick · Jan 10, 2013

madetotry said:
It would actually increase ticket revenue as it increases capacity as the presenter starts saying 15 seconds into the video the 3000 seated area once turned into a standing area holds 5700. So with those figures the income based on Brentfords prices for seating/standing goes from £45000 to £68400. Although at the moment thats more than the average attendance :(

Given that they can be turned back into seats, how does that work? Do you simply sell almost 2 tickets for every seat position ?

madetotry · Jan 10, 2013

no idea, I was just going by what the bloke in the video said

Bolton Shrimper · Jan 10, 2013

It will never be allowed.The powers that be, want to control us, big brothers watching you and all that. F**k Em though,I really miss those crowd surges.

North Banker · Jan 10, 2013

Mick said:
Given that they can be turned back into seats, how does that work? Do you simply sell almost 2 tickets for every seat position ?

This explains it nicely, and how it is possible to generate more income despite selling cheaper tickets:

http://www.safestandingroadshow.co.uk/the-proposal/the-proposal---continued-2

GodblessArthurRowley · Jan 10, 2013

The fans have been voting with their feet so to speak for years, every ground has a section where fans stand whatever the stewards,clubs,authorities say. Fan power, and these are the sections that create the atmosphere at football,that clubs want.
Let those that want to stand do just that,if you prefer to sit go to a different section of the ground.