Safe standing at sporting stadiums?
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Weren't they abolished for very good reason?
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New systems which allow standing are now being advocated. Expensive to install and look like cattle stalls but effective against those dangers open terracing with limited barriers offered. One problem with the new idea is speed of exit in an emergency.
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Why on earth would anyone want to stand for nearly two hours?
David
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I would. I remember standing at old Trafford and several other grounds watching Manchester United as a youngster, and at the Willows watching Salford Rugby League club. I think it helped create great atmospheres in the grounds. On the rare occasion I go to Old Trafford these days it’s a sterile and boring atmosphere. I know this is not just down to seating, but that’s part of the problem. Anyway, there are large sections of the crowds at many premiership football grounds that continue to stand despite the seats, that must be saying what their preference is.
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Safe standing at Football matches?, unless it’s in small groups I don’t think it exists. The system was changed for a reason. I was caught up a number of times back in the day & came away with a bruised stomach when pinned against barriers after a surge forward. Leave it in the past I’d say.
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I have done similar. I remember one Boxing Day being at the Dell (Southampton's old ground) with 30,000 other spectators, you could hardly see a thing. Talk about dangerous the capacity was later reduced to 15,000!!! I also went to see a final at the old Wembley and I tend to agree about the atmosphere but that was mainly down to the size of the stadium and the fact that most people seemed to be drunk!!! I have only been to Stadium MK once but a much nicer experience as the ground is more compact and plenty of personal space.
David
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I've done both in the past. The old style stadiums were dangerous, my Dad would never take me to Elland Road as a youngster. Ironically, we have often found ourselves standing up out of our seats at some PL games, one stands, everyone stands in that area. Same at Rock Concerts.
Design is the key. The steep sides at Old Trafford for example make it a no no in certain areas. Our tickets came with guidance for those with heart conditions given how many steps you needed to climb to get to your seat!
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" ...remember one Boxing Day being at the Dell (Southampton's old ground)"
That's going back a bit. They've been at St Mary's for quite some time. I used to watch the speedway at the track next door to the Dell back in my youth.
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We got married at the church next door to the Dell. The date was conditional on there not being a home match on the same day!!!
David
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Safe standing is quite common at German league clubs, but has to be converted back to seating for their European games, so I assume the setup must be very flexible.
Wouldn't tempt me, but if those who prefer to stand were all together and away from those who want to sit down, might be preferable for many people.
Talking safety issues, Barcelona's all seater stadium is a disaster waiting to happen, very wide, steep staircases with no handrails. Would never get a license to operate in the UK.
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Safe standing has been installed at some grounds in Scotland. The one being used there, and proposed for use in EFL grounds in England is known as rail seating. The seats seem to be locked upright and removalble rails put in front. This way each individual seat gets its own rail, these are as far removed from the old crush barriers as it's possible to be.
It was the Taylor Report following the Hillsborough disaster which led to the introduction of all seater stadia in the higher leagues. However just about all away supporters stand for 90 minutes which IMHO is infinitely more dangerous than the old standing terraces.
The Chairman of our club was asked about safe standing recently, and I believe that the Premier League are considering it. He said that if safe standing was allowed in one stand ( the one where people routinely stand now in contravention of the conditions of entry to the stadium) then no standing would be allowed in any other part of the stadium and that would be strictly enforced. Fans do also tend to stand in other areas of the ground near the away end.
Apologies for the rather lengthy post🤓
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If the 'No Standing' terms of a clubs licence are flouted then that licence should be immediately revoked for twelve months. If people cannot comply with a system that was put in place for their own safety then the grounds would be better and safer without them.
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I couldn't agree more Brian but if upwards of 4,000 idiots are standing,which is often the case, the conditions become unenforceable.
Can you imagine what would happen if 30 or 40 stewards tried to get those people to sit down. It would be mayhem.
I'm not sure if the Local Authority would consider withdrawing the safety certificate where sadly unsafe standing has become the norm rather than the exception.
I read today that Shrewsbury Town are going to install rail seating, being still a League 1 side I imagine they are not subject to the requirement for an all seater stadium
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Roger, I did not say the Licence for a STAND should be revoked in cases of non-compliance - I said the CLUBS licence.
No need for hundreds of stewards, just a simple Tannoy Announcement thanking the clowns for getting the whole ground closed down. This is of course what happened often in the past when serious troubles occurred. X - number of matches played behind Closed Doors, when I seem to recall not even the Press were allowed in. The Clubs in the top two tiers, where No Standing applies, would not be punished financially since the Gate Monies lost would barely touch the Insurance demands.
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Sorry Brian I misunderstood. The safety certificate applies to the whole ground and technically matches cannot take place without a current safety certificate. I agree that losing income from the match attendance would be insignificant compared with the television money for instance.
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