Spurs fans support Safe Standing – survey

The following is a report from one of our affiliates, the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust (THST), who recently asked their fans for their thoughts on Safe Standing in North London…

Spurs supporters have voted overwhelmingly in favour of Safe Standing in a survey carried out by THST.

Safe standing refers to specific models of modern standing accommodation such as those permitted in Germany, Sweden, and Austria as well as standing technologies deemed to be safe for matches in League One and below by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) published Green Guide.

97% of the 2,306 respondents said they were in favour of giving fans the choice to stand at games and 94% want to see a designated Safe Standing area at White Hart Lane or any future stadium. Fans are currently prohibited from standing at matches by ground regulations and Clubs are prevented from providing designated standing areas by Government legislation.

The survey also saw Spurs fans call on the Club to publicly back the Football Supporters’ Federation’s campaign to introduce trials of Safe Standing areas at Premier League grounds, with the support of 90% of respondents.

Paul Head, THST’s lead on Safe Standing said: “It is clear from the results of this survey, as well as from observing any match day at White Hart Lane, that a significant number of Spurs fans want the choice to stand at matches. Providing designated Safe Standing areas would benefit both those who wish to stand and those who feel persistent standing has a negative impact on their enjoyment of the game.

“We have urged Club to act upon the findings and while we are pleased to hear that they would be supportive once there’s a change in legislation, we will continue to push them to join those calling for a change in regulations to allow trials of Safe Standing in the Premier League and Championship.”

The survey carried out by THST can be read in full here.

Thanks to Action Images for the image used in this article.