Showing articles from the year 2012
Clear filterSwansea City and Wolverhampton Wanderers are the latest clubs to back the Football Supporters’ Federation’s Safe Standing Campaign after both clubs called for a trial of standing areas. Their support comes hot on the heels of 15 other clubs including Aston Villa and Peterborough United who have offered to trial safe standing areas in their grounds. The SPL also supports the campaign.
Myself and my fellow researchers at Loughborough University are doing a study to investigate football governance through the eyes of the supporter. This is part of an international research project involving nine universities in eight different European called The FREE Project (Football Research in an Enlarged Europe).
On Tuesday 11th December the Football Supporters’ Federation’s Safe Standing Campaign visited Parliament to showcase our plans to MPs, football figures, police and journalists through The Case for Safe Standing in Football. The event received a great deal of media coverage and, significantly, prompted real engagement from senior police officers on the subject of standing at football.
Another Friday and another two clubs have backed the Football Supporters’ Federation’s Safe Standing Campaign – welcome aboard Aldershot Town and Exeter City. The Shots have been longtime supporters of safe standing and reaffirmed their commitment this week while The Grecians confirmed their support after we invited the club to Tuesday’s Parliamentary event.
This Tuesday 11th December the FSF will hold The Case for Safe Standing in Football at Portcullis House (Westminster) – why don’t you contact your MP and ask if they plan to attend?
The next meeting of the FSF’s Southern Division will take place on Sunday 9th December at Woking FC’s Kingfield Stadium (Legends Bar) – more directions are available here. The meeting will begin at 12.30pm and a buffet lunch will be available at noon courtesy of the Cards Trust. Our sincere thanks to them.
I’m 38 years old, I have Limb Girdle Muscular Dystrophy, and right now I’m in the “transitional period” between walking and being in a wheelchair (which I obviously want to avoid!). I’m also a Leeds United fan who does a 330-mile round-trip to Elland Road every other week.
Middlesbrough fans watching the draw for the Capital One Cup fourth round last night were no doubt rubbing their at the prospect of a trip to local rivals Sunderland, while fearing another paltry allocation on Wearside.
One of the challenges for the Safe Standing Campaign is to educate our fellow fans, football industry folk and politicians. They say a picture paints a thousand words and the images below show that safe standing does not mean a return to the dark days of the 80s with vast, crumbling terraces and lethal fences (read more in Safe Standing Mythbusters). Modern technology and methods mean safe standing areas are just that – safe. Find out more below.
1. What is ‘safe standing’? 2. Who wants safe standing? 3. What are the benefits of safe standing? 4. Is it really safe? 5. The legalities – what has to change? 6. Myths and misconceptions 7. Aims and objectives
Many supporters believe that it is illegal to stand at football matches in the Premier League or Championship but this is not actually the case. Although clubs are allowed to throw you out if you refuse to sit. Confused? You’re not the only one. Read on for a full explanation as to the law on standing and how it is implemented in all-seater stadiums.
Think it’s just fans who want to introduce safe standing areas? Think again. A whole host of football industry figures, architects, safety experts and politicians back safe standing. Every other week it seems someone new adds their name to the list. If a significant figure from your club speaks out in support of safe standing, let us know via [email protected] and we’ll add them to the ever growing list below.
Talk about safe standing for long enough and, sooner or later, someone will tell you why they think it shouldn’t happen. This will almost inevitably be based on misunderstanding, miscomprehension or even total myth – not all fans are familiar with the arguments for safe standing. Knowledge is power, educate yourself in the arguments and you can win your fellow fans over. Myth: “Standing is unsafe.” Not true.
The FSF represents more than 200,000 individual and affiliate members throughout England and Wales. As an organisation we do our best to fairly reflect fans’ opinion and the issue of standing at football (or rather the lack of it, in the top two divisions particularly) comes up more than any other.
For the fifth Friday in a row we’re delighted to announce that another club has backed the Football Supporters’ Federation’s Safe Standing Campaign – welcome aboard Cardiff City. They join an ever-growing list which includes Aston Villa, Brentford, Bristol City, Burnley, Crystal Palace, Derby County, Doncaster Rovers, Hull City, Peterborough United, Watford, AFC Wimbledon and the Scottish Premier League.
The Sunday Mirror sports team have asked FSF members to contribute to Club Icons and Cult Heroes. The book will salute players from all 92 league clubs and acclaim those who might not necessarily have been the “best” their club has ever seen, but who have made an indelible mark on the club. Which player from your club most deserves cult status?
Above – Bob Symns (chief executive at Peterborough United) with representatives of Peterborough City Council, Jon Darch (Safe Standing Roadshow) and Hannover 96 staff among rail seats in the AWD Arena in Germany.
Argentinean cheats and uses his hand in the box to gain an unfair advantage – who’d have thunk it?! Only this time it isn’t Maradona and the action is most certainly not from the 1986 World Cup. If it’s possible this is actually more unsportsmanlike than the famous Hand of God goal as a reserve keeper, well, we won’t spoil it for you. lols!
