Major new initiative with 'Safe Standing' campaign

[silent majority]

The FSF announced today a major new initiative with the Safe Standing campaign. In partnership with several football clubs, certain MP's and a visit to Westminster coming up we are once again asking for your support. Recent changes are;

1) Roger Godsiff MP has tabled an EDM on Safe Standing
2) Football clubs are now publicly supporting our campaign
3) We have been invited to Westminster to demonstrate the Safe Standing Roadshow

Can you show your support by visiting the FSF website, sign the petition and then make sure your MP signs the EDM. Its all easily done by following the link here:

http://www.fsf.org.uk/campaigns/safestanding/


 

[silent majority]

It's being debated on Talksport right now!

[BobG]

Signed SM.

BobG

[silent majority]

Signed SM.

BobG

Thanks Bob.

[silent majority]

For all those who talk about standing at football, now is your chance to do something!

I make no apologies for bumping this back up, it is vitally important that we follow through on this. Can somebody ensure the Doncaster MP's are written to? My MP happens to be based in Scunthorpe, but he has been contacted by me!

[hoolahoop]

SM is this the same petition that we all signed recently ?

[Ian H]

Signed!

[roversontheup]

Signed petition and emailed MP.

[silent majority]

SM is this the same petition that we all signed recently ?

Hoola, this is the same petition that we have been running for a while at the FSF, but didn't I ask you guys to sign something else recently, I'm not sure if its this one though.

This new initiative is very important though, the EDM will be heard in the House of Commons and the more MP's that support it or sign it means it will get an easier ride. We've also now gone public with some of the clubs who are supporting us, (its taken years to get them to do this) and hopefully the others that support us will also do so publicly. And finally we have an appointment at Portcullis House to show the 'Safe Standing' mobile demonstrator to ALL MP's. At long last common sense seems to be prevailing!

[silent majority]

Signed petition and emailed MP.

Can you let me know if you get an answer?

[roversontheup]

Signed petition and emailed MP.

Can you let me know if you get an answer?

No problem.  I will pm you if I hear anything.

[Ian H]

I have  e-mailed Rosie - even mentioning the fact that it is EDM 573 INTRODUCTION OF A PILOT OF NEW STANDING TECHNOLOGY IN FOOTBALL STADIA - If I get anything other than a standard response I'll post it.

[silent majority]

I have  e-mailed Rosie - even mentioning the fact that it is EDM 573 INTRODUCTION OF A PILOT OF NEW STANDING TECHNOLOGY IN FOOTBALL STADIA - If I get anything other than a standard response I'll post it.

Thank you. We do speak to Rosie on a regular basis so I'm expecting a positive response but I will be pleased to hear that you do get one!

[Lesonthewest]

Signed

[Bristol Red Rover]

Signed and email sent. Really well put together campaign by the way

I did notice that the mentioned clubs that supported it were few - ie Villa, Derby, Sunderland, Hull and Peterboro. Why is this? What reasons do clubs like Liverpool (potentially by far the major player in this campaign) and Donny give for not supporting it?

[Mustapha-Dump]

I think standing being taken away was for the better personally, I hate when there is no atmosphere at games but seated stadiums are a lot safer.

[RedJ]

I think standing being taken away was for the better personally, I hate when there is no atmosphere at games but seated stadiums are a lot safer.

there's no actual evidence to support this claim is there?

[Ian H]

I think standing being taken away was for the better personally, I hate when there is no atmosphere at games but seated stadiums are a lot safer.

Seated stadia are a lot safer for me - I've stopped going - and I've decided that a good time to return is when I can stand again.

[Bristol Red Rover]

I think standing being taken away was for the better personally, I hate when there is no atmosphere at games but seated stadiums are a lot safer.

Have you looked at the link above in the OP and seen the youtube video? The danger of standing in normal low backed seated areas, plus the confrontation that occurs eg Rovers at Hartlepool, suggest the new railed seat proposal (currently in use on the continent) for safe standing is in fact safer.

Its a total win win situation for safety, all fans, the clubs and the atmosphere.

[Mustapha-Dump]

Just offering my opinion I wasn't slating or bad mouthing yours.

[Mr1Croft]

I think standing being taken away was for the better personally, I hate when there is no atmosphere at games but seated stadiums are a lot safer.

there's no actual evidence to support this claim is there?

No there isn't. http://www.fsf.org.uk/campaigns/safestanding/Safe-standing-mythbuster.php

[silent majority]

Signed and email sent. Really well put together campaign by the way

I did notice that the mentioned clubs that supported it were few - ie Villa, Derby, Sunderland, Hull and Peterboro. Why is this? What reasons do clubs like Liverpool (potentially by far the major player in this campaign) and Donny give for not supporting it?

BRR, let me know if your MP responds, we're keeping track on all MP's who have been contacted.

To answer your question about clubs supporting the campaign though. These are the clubs that have gone public with their support, a slightly different take on the support level. Everywhere we have taken the campaign and the road-show it has been met with almost universal support, but for all kinds of reasons clubs don't wish to go public and be seen to be against what their relevant leagues are stating as policy. The Premier League for example are determined too retain all seater stadiums but not the individual clubs that make up the PL surprisingly. (I could name those that have supported us in private)

Liverpool of course cannot be seen to be in favour because of the stigma of Hillsboro, even after it has been proven that standing and the terraces themselves played no part in the tragedy. Less surprisingly is that Liverpool have an unofficial standing section, (a singing section) that is allowed to do as it wishes, block 306 I believe. So does Manchester City and numerous other PL sides.

Peterboro of course are backing the campaign because they have to redevelop their stadium and their 3 year period of grace has expired, under present legislation they have to install seats and do away with their existing terraces. Crystal Palace have gone public this week with their support too.

As for Doncaster, I know this is hard to believe but I haven't asked them! Standing itself is accepted by the club, just have a look around on any match day, but I haven't asked them to publicly back the campaign.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

What we also need to remember is the KM is and should be a multi-purpose venue.

Yes, there still may be scope to convert an area to safe standing, so I don't see that we should be too concerned about the overall safety, as there would still be choice for folk to sit or stand depending on preference.

If it was your money, in fact DRFC's money, then would you spend money converting part of the stadium? What return are you guaranteed?

Yes, I believe the clubs should have the choice because at the end of the day it will provide more choice for their customers.

What I find frustrating is that every Saturday you see hoards of fans standing in all seater stadia already. To me, it seems more about tolerance rather than legislation or health and safety.     

[silent majority]

Baz,

A couple of points in response to yours.

The Keepmoat is a multi purpose stadium but the only spectators who have to remain seated are football fans, nobody else.

Of course there's scope to convert, and your right it is about choice and nothing else.

And for that reason its not about money, or the return on money (which is quick by the way) its about choice and safety and for that reason each club should choose its own path.

Taylor in his report said that we should have all seater stadia, he also said that if new technology became available which could add to spectator safety then it should be considered and that's what 'Safe Standing' is. So the argument that we should abide by the Taylor report still stands. Properly organised standing is better than standing in seated areas, now that is a fact!

[DonnyBazR0ver]

The Keepmoat is a multi purpose stadium but the only spectators who have to remain seated are football fans, nobody else.

Very good point.