The Safe Standing Debate

At a time when Hereford United are having to build an all-seater stand because of the grant situation it is interesting to note that last week various politicans debated the subject on Five Live under the watchful eyes and ears of the FSF (Football Supporters Federation).

There were some hugely important issues covered and one particularly jaw-dropping, totally incorrect statement by Sports Minister Gerry Sutcliffe on standing areas.

“As someone who was at the Valley Parade disaster in 1985 I don’t want to go back to old stadiums,” said Sutcliffe in an attempt to discredit safe standing. He is so wrong it’s embarrassing. The disaster at Bradford City, when a fire tragically killed 56 people, took place in a seated area.

It shows either Sutcliffe’s ignorance of the issue or was a calculated attempt to influence the debate by summoning up the ghost of past disasters. Neither possiblity reflects at all well on Sutcliffe.

Sutcliffe then backtracked and suggested that it’s “fine for new stadia” which is a new departure from those in power and something we’ll be following up. But if that’s the case, why is it not acceptable for old stadiums to be converted? If, say, Roman Abramovich wished to spend some of his millions updating Stamford Bridge to incorporate safe standing areas why should the Government prevent him from doing so? The Government’s role should be to ensure safety, not tell football clubs how to spend their money.

After all, if they’re now happy for safe standing to be introduced into new grounds there’s no reason not to covert old ones if the funds and will is there. It’s no longer a safety argument but an economic one, Sutcliffe has admitted as much.

Independent opinion surveys consistently show that nine out of every ten fans want the choice to sit or stand in safety as they prefer. It would avoid those who wish to stand blocking the views of those who choose to sit, and the lack of standing areas needlessly causes antagonism between fans and stewards. The authorities might argue against safe standing but all the evidence shows they are wrong.

Safe standing works brilliantly in Germany. A serious re-examination of this issue was recommended by the Independent Football Commission in 2007. The safe standing areas we’re talking about are nothing like the massive terraces that many will recall. We’re talking modern crowd control techniques and innovative design. Bars act as handrails for standing and seats can be flipped down for European competition when it is a requirement.

Some hope then that by the time Graham Turner and Hereford United are ready to rebuild the Meadow End at Edgar Street, the grant rules may have changed to allow funding for a terrace stand.

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