Safe standing at sporting stadiums?

mickysf
mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
edited May 2018 in Sports #1

Should these systems be allowed in our soccer stadiums today?

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,135 ✭✭✭
    10,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited May 2018 #2

    Weren't they abolished for very good reason?

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited May 2018 #3

    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.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,857 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited May 2018 #4

    Why on earth would anyone want to stand for nearly two hours? 

    David

  • Whittakerr
    Whittakerr Club Member Posts: 3,472 ✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments Photogenic
    edited May 2018 #5

    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.

  • Rocky 2 buckets
    Rocky 2 buckets Forum Participant Posts: 7,101
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2018 #6

    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.

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,857 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited May 2018 #7

    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

  • Takethedogalong
    Takethedogalong Forum Participant Posts: 17,032 ✭✭✭
    10,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited May 2018 #8

    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!

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2018 #9

    " ...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.

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited May 2018 #10

    I remember watching Kevin Keegan at The Old Showground and Ian Botham too! 

  • DavidKlyne
    DavidKlyne Club Member Posts: 13,857 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited May 2018 #11

    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

  • Pliers
    Pliers Forum Participant Posts: 1,864
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2018 #12

    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.

  • papgeno
    papgeno Forum Participant Posts: 2,158
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2018 #13

    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🤓

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited May 2018 #14

    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.

  • papgeno
    papgeno Forum Participant Posts: 2,158
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2018 #15

    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 

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2018 #16

    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.

  • papgeno
    papgeno Forum Participant Posts: 2,158
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2018 #17

    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.

  • papgeno
    papgeno Forum Participant Posts: 2,158
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2018 #18

    Just seen the news that safe standing is to be debated in parliament following a 100,000+ signature petition.

  • ABM
    ABM Forum Participant Posts: 14,578
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2018 #19

    As  if  they  did  not  have  rather  more  important  things  to  occupy  their  tiny  little  minds  yell

  • papgeno
    papgeno Forum Participant Posts: 2,158
    1000 Comments
    edited June 2018 #20

    Apparently if you can get over 100,000 signatures on a petition it has to be debated🤓