Doncaster Rovers back FSF Safe Standing Campaign

[NathanDRFC]

http://www.fsf.org.uk/news/Doncaster-Rovers-back-FSF-Safe-Standing-Campaign.php?id=
Doncaster Rovers back FSF Safe Standing Campaign
16th November 2012

Every Friday for the past month we have been able to announce that at least one new club has announced its support for the FSF’s Safe Standing Campaign. We’re very pleased to say that this Friday is no different and the latest club to back the call for safe standing trials are Doncaster Rovers. Welcome aboard.

It’s great news but the FSF also needs action from fans too. Words alone are not enough – please visit: www.fsf.org.uk/campaigns/safestanding
The Vikings join an ever-growing list which includes Aston Villa, Brentford, Bristol City, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Derby County, Hull City, Peterborough United, Watford, AFC Wimbledon and the Scottish Premier League.

Gavin Baldwin, chief executive of Doncaster Rovers, said: “During the 2006/07 season Doncaster Rovers moved into an all-seater stadium and since that time the club have implemented a no standing policy at home games. After continued dialogue with supporters through our fan engagement programme, In Rovers We Trust, it has become clear that a selection of supporters do wish to stand at matches.

“The club believe that the creation of a safe standing area at the ground would allow these supporters to stand in a safe, controlled environment and allow them to have a match day experience that suits their needs. The club believe the creation of a safe standing area would also be of benefit to other fans at the ground who do not wish to stand, but sometimes are compelled at games due to having their view restricted due to people in front of them who attempt to.

“We lend our support to the Football Supporters' Federation in their request for trials for safe standing systems.”

Safe standing? No problem

It’s not just fans and clubs who back safe standing – so do a long line of safety experts, architects and politicians. In November 2011 John Barrow of architects Populous said safe standing areas could be introduced “without any problems at all”.

“We as designers have no problem with standing at all. It would clearly need to be legislated for, managed, and safely stewarded, but in terms of safety it can be done without any problems at all in small areas,” said Barrow speaking at the International Football Arena conference.

“It is great to have standing areas. They increase excitement in stadiums, particularly behind the goals. If the legislation is there to allow the top clubs to have standing areas again, it could help the clubs who are looking to expand capacity and allow more young people in,”

Barrow played a key role in designing Wembley, designed stadiums for Euro 2004 as well as Soccer City in Johannesburg which hosted the 2010 World Cup final.

In June 2011 Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis said he was “open” to the possibility of safe standing areas at the Emirates and acknowledged the positive impact it could have on atmosphere.

“It is something that I have always been open to,” said Gazidis. “The more I learn about it, the more complex an issue it is, but viscerally it is something that I find attractive because it gives fans, a certain group of fans who like to stand who create the atmosphere, another way to be in our stadium.”

In the same month Professor Steve Frosdick, founder member of the UK Football Safety Officers’ Association (FSOA) and noted expert in crowd safety, backed the FSF’s campaign at a specially arranged event in Liverpool. Current FSOA president Jim Chalmers has also said “there is no reason why safe standing cannot exist in our top two divisions if there is a will to allow this at government level”.

http://www.fsf.org.uk/news/Doncaster-Rovers-back-FSF-Safe-Standing-Campaign.php?id=

[Bristol Red Rover]

Clear positive response from Gavin  Great news! 

[Mr1Croft]

This is big news for the safe standing campaign, more and more clubs are on board. Its likely there isn't any opposition left.

Its not about standing, its about choice!

[Bristol Red Rover]

Yep, its about choice, but lets not forget its also about improving safety and atmosphere in grounds as well as revenue for the clubs 

[silent majority]

The Safe Standing debate on Talksport last night, from 20.30 with Stan Collymore;

http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/listen-again/episode/97823

[midlandsrover]

The BBC finally picking up the story

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20679867

[NathanDRFC]

The VSC are going to bring the SafeStanding Roadshow (http://www.safestandingroadshow.co.uk/) to the Keepmoat. More details to follow at a later date.

[DRFC-PERKINS]

Im afraid the families of Hillsbrough don't agree.    http://m.thestar.co.uk/community/hillsborough-support-group-angered-by-campaign-for-standing-1-5215514

[RedJ]

Weird, since it wasn't standing that directly caused it.. or even indirectly, I guess.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

I can see why the Hillsbrough families don't like standing, however it's a different form of standing and completely different concept to the flawed concept used all them years ago.  I'm all for safe standing with the right regulations.

[hoolahoop]

I'm just surprised that they haven't studied the details of exactly what is suggested . It appears to be a 'knee jerk' reaction when they are well aware of the failings at Hillsborough and they weren't due to folk standing. 

[bobjimwilly]

I'm just surprised that they haven't studied the details of exactly what is suggested . It appears to be a 'knee jerk' reaction when they are well aware of the failings at Hillsborough and they weren't due to folk standing. 

+1

[paddy hoops]

I hope the government actually have a real debate about this rather than just harping on the doubts of the prem.
I don't see how the doubters can deny the advantages of the rail seat system. I my opinion they should put a rail between seats anyway. I can't be the only one that sometimes gets caught out by how low the the back of the seats are when you're celebrating a goal.
I remember once when I went to Huddersfield away I  had  to hold on to the guy infront of me so I didn't go arse  over tit while celebrating.
If the Germans can do it why can't we??
 
COME ON YOU HOOOOOPS!!!!

[newyankee]

 I saw an article on Sky Sports News this morning which showed the type of thing available for standing areas. It looked great, there was a back rail so you could not fall back and a rail in front of you which stops you falling forward.

       Built into the back rest is a seat which can be unlocked with an Allen key and the space turned to seats. This alleviates the problem of safety and also having to put seats back for certain games as needed, the seat unfolds and is in position in seconds.

[Mustapha-Dump]

Before anyone starts I don't think it's unsafe or has any floors I just disagree with this, thats just my opinion. I grew up on the terraces standing in the main stand at belle vue but I just think it's a thing of the past and was taken away for a reason

[bobbymax]

Before anyone starts I don't think it's unsafe or has any floors I just disagree with this, thats just my opinion. I grew up on the terraces standing in the main stand at belle vue but I just think it's a thing of the past and was taken away for a reason

No seats and no floors! Do you have to balance on a beam or something? That doesn't sound safe at all.

[Chris]

Before anyone starts I don't think it's unsafe or has any floors I just disagree with this, thats just my opinion. I grew up on the terraces standing in the main stand at belle vue but I just think it's a thing of the past and was taken away for a reason

That's fair enough. Plenty of fans would prefer to stay in seats but that doesn't mean that the rest of us shouldn't have the option of standing. Remember, it's not a proposal for all seats to be removed from stadia.

[silent majority]

Before anyone starts I don't think it's unsafe or has any floors I just disagree with this, thats just my opinion. I grew up on the terraces standing in the main stand at belle vue but I just think it's a thing of the past and was taken away for a reason

It was taken away  for safety reasons (so they say but we know different) but what is now happening is that supporters are standing amongst their seats with no appetite for clubs to change that. In our opinion that is more dangerous. There is a solution that includes standing and an increase in safety, so why not look at it? Is that not logical?

[Mustapha-Dump]

Before anyone starts I don't think it's unsafe or has any floors I just disagree with this, thats just my opinion. I grew up on the terraces standing in the main stand at belle vue but I just think it's a thing of the past and was taken away for a reason

No seats and no floors! Do you have to balance on a beam or something? That doesn't sound safe at all.

Comedian

[bobbymax]

No, bored and pedantic.

[RedJ]

It was quite good to be fair

[silent majority]

I've just confirmed that we have arranged for the FSF Safe Standing Roadshow to attend the club on the 7th January, which is the same night as the Fans Forum.

I'll put out more details later.

[RoversAlias]

Before anyone starts I don't think it's unsafe or has any floors I just disagree with this, thats just my opinion. I grew up on the terraces standing in the main stand at belle vue but I just think it's a thing of the past and was taken away for a reason

It was taken away  for safety reasons (so they say but we know different) but what is now happening is that supporters are standing amongst their seats with no appetite for clubs to change that. In our opinion that is more dangerous. There is a solution that includes standing and an increase in safety, so why not look at it? Is that not logical?

It isn't as though everybody stands up in their seats though, at most grounds I see it is rarely more than a tiny portion of the ground.

I remain against safe standing personally, and I woyld certainly not move to that area at the Keepmoat were it to be instigated. I don't think it's worth the time to convert seating in grounds back to standing.

Also, that picture of Gavin Baldwin is not a good angle for his smile

[silent majority]

Before anyone starts I don't think it's unsafe or has any floors I just disagree with this, thats just my opinion. I grew up on the terraces standing in the main stand at belle vue but I just think it's a thing of the past and was taken away for a reason

It was taken away  for safety reasons (so they say but we know different) but what is now happening is that supporters are standing amongst their seats with no appetite for clubs to change that. In our opinion that is more dangerous. There is a solution that includes standing and an increase in safety, so why not look at it? Is that not logical?

It isn't as though everybody stands up in their seats though, at most grounds I see it is rarely more than a tiny portion of the ground.

I remain against safe standing personally, and I woyld certainly not move to that area at the Keepmoat were it to be instigated. I don't think it's worth the time to convert seating in grounds back to standing.

Also, that picture of Gavin Baldwin is not a good angle for his smile

I didn't say everybody did but I beg to differ on the numbers of people standing. Go to any big game and virtually the whole of the stadium does stand. Any away game where England are playing will see the England support on its feet for the whole of the game. Go to most Premiership games and the away section will certainly be stood along with large sections of the home support. You only have to look at the  away support that comes to the Keepmoat, do they not stand throughout the game? I think you'll find they do. Clubs are now allocating areas of stadiums as singing sections with the full knowledge that fans will stand in those very same sections.

We're not asking for people to be put into those areas if they want to sit, what we are asking for is that people who want to stand and enjoy football in that way can do, its about choice. But its also about safety too, standing in seated areas is not safe, lets acknowledge that people will stand and provide them with areas that meet their needs in complete safety.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

It irks me also when, in response to the objections raised by those connected with the Hillsborough tragedy, the hosts of the radio shows etc, do not make any effort to educate them about 'safe standing'.

I listened to a lady who I think was a Norwich supporter and travelled to most away games and although she is generally in favour of safe standing, she prefers to sit due to her age/dodgy back however, as it seems to be the norm that most away fans stand in the seating areas, more frequently she is unable to see.

On one of links we've seen recently, a suggested layout of a typical ground consisted of a mix seating and standing (with seating still being in the majority)

Once this is granted, then if clubs are to introduce safe standing areas, then they must do it in close consultation with the fans and let's be right here, once introduced there should be no excuse for standing in a seated area.

For those still able bodied like myself I'm surprised no one has mentioned the added advantage of standing in this sort of weather, is keeping bloody warm !!

[silent majority]

Baz,

The points you make are all relevant. Here's an interesting one though, this from a Premier League club with possible the best stadium in the country;

http://www.aisa.org/latest-news/headlines?id=958

[DonnyBazR0ver]

I'm sure the majority of footy fans agree no matter what type of stadium they attend on a regular basis.

Putting all this feedback in to action is the difficult one.