2.2727 % Villa - Government plans to lift football standing ban

[Andy_Lochhead_in_the_air]

Plans to lift the ban on standing in the English Premier League and Championship are set to be announced by the government, the BBC has learned.

It is thought a handful of grounds will be able to use designated safe standing areas before the end of the season.

It would mean for the first time in over 25 years, fans of some top flight football clubs would be legally allowed to stand and watch their team play.

An official announcement is expected as soon as next month.

The chairman of the Football Supporters Association, Malcolm Clarke, said it was a "welcome" development that would benefit all fans.

He added: "People who want to stand should be able to do so in safety. Those who want to sit should be able to do so without having their view blocked."

Since 1994, first and second tier grounds in England and Wales have been required to be all-seaters by law.

However, thousands of supporters continue to stand throughout matches.

In their 2019 general election manifesto, the Conservatives promised to work towards the introduction of safe standing areas, which have been embraced in the German Bundesliga, as well as in Scotland - where around 3,000 Celtic fans have been allowed to make use of a safe standing section since 2016.

Now, the BBC understands ministers will instructs the regulator, the Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA), to choose "early adopters" for the trials.

And while they are keen to proceed with caution, if the initial trials prove successful, the expectation is legislation would be widened out to cover all stadiums in England's top two divisions within the next few years.

A spokesperson for the Sports Ground Safety Authority said: "We are working closely with the government on planning the next steps for implementing this manifesto commitment."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-58357046

[Demitri_C]

So how would this work? Would that mean you could have more capacity without adfing any further seats?

Id imagine part of the holte would be the standing section as thats the worst area for people not sitting down

[Ad@m]

So how would this work? Would that mean you could have more capacity without adfing any further seats?

Id imagine part of the holte would be the standing section as thats the worst area for people not sitting down

Nope. Rail seating would need to replace the current seating so the capacity would be unchanged. 

As a result I also can't see it being any cheaper to stand than people pay to sit down now.

[Scratchins]

I saw the demonstration rail seating when they came to VP and was very impressed. They were saying that with the seats lifted there were 3 standing for every 2 seats. Seats could be lowered to use if required.
I don't know if this is still the system that they plan to use.

[ez]

So how would this work? Would that mean you could have more capacity without adfing any further seats?

Id imagine part of the holte would be the standing section as thats the worst area for people not sitting down

The worst area is the lower North. That's a terrace with seats on it. The slope of it is too shallow for seating and the legroom is terrible.

[Ad@m]

I saw the demonstration rail seating when they came to VP and was very impressed. They were saying that with the seats lifted there were 3 standing for every 2 seats. Seats could be lowered to use if required.
I don't know if this is still the system that they plan to use.

That's the first time I've heard that.

In any event, stand capacity is dictated by the safety certificate, which is dictated by entrances and exits, concourse size, etc so even if we installed rail seating I can't see any changes to our capacity.

[Demitri_C]

So how would this work? Would that mean you could have more capacity without adfing any further seats?

Id imagine part of the holte would be the standing section as thats the worst area for people not sitting down

The worst area is the lower North. That's a terrace with seats on it. The slope of it is too shallow for seating and the legroom is terrible.

So you would imagine that could be a area they look at. Problem is all the hardcore villians are in the holte and you would imagine they would want tk be in the standing area

[ez]

So how would this work? Would that mean you could have more capacity without adfing any further seats?

Id imagine part of the holte would be the standing section as thats the worst area for people not sitting down

The worst area is the lower North. That's a terrace with seats on it. The slope of it is too shallow for seating and the legroom is terrible.

So you would imagine that could be a area they look at. Problem is all the hardcore villians are in the holte and you would imagine they would want tk be in the standing area

I get that but to leave the lower north as it is would still have people standing up because that's what it was designed for.

[fredm]

Various clubs, including I think Man U and Liverpool, have already started to put in rail seating as they knew this was coming,

[exigo]

Various clubs, including I think Man U and Liverpool, have already started to put in rail seating as they knew this was coming,

Would imagine for us, we've factored it into stadium expansion plans. Build a new North wraparound with loads of seats and maybe a standing block, and then go standing on the Holte.

[Flamingo Lane]

As far as I can see, the main reason for introducing standing areas is that there is a minority of people at games who simply refuse to sit, and when they stand it's unfair on those who are behind them and who wish to sit. That doesn't strike me as a terribly good reason for bringing back standing.  In addition, as I understand it, standing areas are not be re-introduced for away fans, which I believe is where ad hoc standing is most prevalent.

[olaftab]

I would have rounded that up to 2.3% but I know ALita is a stickler for detail.

[Lucky Eddie]

As far as I can see, the main reason for introducing standing areas is that there is a minority of people at games who simply refuse to sit, and when they stand it's unfair on those who are behind them and who wish to sit. That doesn't strike me as a terribly good reason for bringing back standing.  In addition, as I understand it, standing areas are not be re-introduced for away fans, which I believe is where ad hoc standing is most prevalent.

It may be a minority who refuse to sit but its far from a minority that want to sit.

[cdbearsfan]

If it is one standing place = one seat, why would we have to install "rail seating"? What benefits do we get from standing in front of rail seats that we wouldn't get from standing in front of the existing seats?

[Sexual Ealing]

If it is one standing place = one seat, why would we have to install "rail seating"? What benefits do we get from standing in front of rail seats that we wouldn't get from standing in front of the existing seats?

Presumably they're safer because you don't risk breaking your leg falling over the seat in front, and the rails prevent crushes.