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Post by stick7 on Sept 22, 2021 18:56:42 GMT
I've been behind the safe standing campaign for years as i've simply always felt that fans deserve the right to choose one way or another. For me I would stand every time given that choice but currently I always have respect for the people who prefer to sit and stay seated unless I manage to get on the back row. This would not be a return to the old style terraces as some people seem to think and has proved to work extremely well across the world. As i've said before i've emailed the club many times regarding this and have just this evening sent another email regarding the great news that Premier and Championship clubs can apply to the Sports Ground Safety Authority to do safe standing trails starting in Jan 2022. I have once again urged Stoke to look into this and may be do a poll like many other clubs have to see what the take up would be if they opened a safe standing section. I think if Stokies want this like me I would recommend you email the club to let them know that there is a good number of us who would use this. Up the Standing at football!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 22, 2021 19:00:11 GMT
I reckon boothen end, bring back the atmosphere in there I’ve been saying for a while it’s my dream to see that stand knocked down, and a new standing boothen end worthy of the name built in place. I’m fairly sure the space behind the stand would make it feasible in theory? An 8 or 9k single tiered new boothen with a beautiful facade that’s visible from the a50 and many parts of southern SOT…I’ve heard it mentioned that the facade could incorporate giant kilns too at either end. It could be iconic and the final piece of the jigsaw that our ground needs to stop being just another identikit and become something truly our own. All feels like extreme wishful thinking mind.
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Post by dirtclod on Sept 22, 2021 20:03:20 GMT
I reckon boothen end, bring back the atmosphere in there I’ve been saying for a while it’s my dream to see that stand knocked down, and a new standing boothen end worthy of the name built in place. I’m fairly sure the space behind the stand would make it feasible in theory? An 8 or 9k single tiered new boothen with a beautiful facade that’s visible from the a50 and many parts of southern SOT…I’ve heard it mentioned that the facade could incorporate giant kilns too at either end. It could be iconic and the final piece of the jigsaw that our ground needs to stop being just another identikit and become something truly our own. All feels like extreme wishful thinking mind. That's some nice wishful thinking - I like it.
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Post by Malcolm Clarke on Sept 22, 2021 20:07:14 GMT
Absolutely. There should now be a consultation and open debate at Stoke City ( and indeed all clubs) about the possibilities, options and level of interest. I almost feel a bit emotional about this - this is the culmination of a 30-year campaign to get to the position where those who want to stand can do so in safety and without breaking ground regulations, and those who want to sit can do so without their view being blocked by fans standing in front of them. It's been a long time coming, but logic and common sense are finally winning through. Whilst it’s true home fans may have a choice , I’m not sure that will apply to away fans My concern is clubs opting for rail seats in home sections are likely to put rail seats in across their entire away section .( think that’s what Liverpool are doing 1600 back of the Kop against 6000 in the road end ) . so nothing will change for away fans , in away sections you’ll still have people who will stand and others who want to sit .. The 6000 in the entire stand will negate sight line issues because effectively by default everyone will be expected to stand in that section or are there proposals that a choice has to be given to away fans ..ie two separately defined spaces That will be a matter for the SGSA. I read their statement as implying that away fans must also have a choice, not just that the standing areas must be in the away as well as the home areas, but we will seek clarification on that point.
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Post by Malcolm Clarke on Sept 22, 2021 20:12:08 GMT
The Supporters Council need to get in touch with the club about this ASAP. It shouldn't just be a question to the club, which might get the same non-committal/negative response as previously, but a firm request that, now that the legal position has changed, which was always given as the reason for not doing anything, the Club should undertake a consultation with the fan base and a feasibility study.
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Post by PotterLog on Sept 23, 2021 2:00:10 GMT
The Supporters Council need to get in touch with the club about this ASAP. Absolutely. There should now be a consultation and open debate at Stoke City ( and indeed all clubs) about the possibilities, options and level of interest. I almost feel a bit emotional about this - this is the culmination of a 30-year campaign to get to the position where those who want to stand can do so in safety and without breaking ground regulations, and those who want to sit can do so without their view being blocked by fans standing in front of them. It's been a long time coming, but logic and common sense are finally winning through. Congratulations Malcolm. I distinctly remember you being told this campaign was a complete waste of time on here (years ago) because there was no way the government would ever allow a return to standing. Well done to all of you for ignoring that and campaigning so tirelessly for common sense to prevail.
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Post by Malcolm Clarke on Sept 23, 2021 4:45:02 GMT
Absolutely. There should now be a consultation and open debate at Stoke City ( and indeed all clubs) about the possibilities, options and level of interest. I almost feel a bit emotional about this - this is the culmination of a 30-year campaign to get to the position where those who want to stand can do so in safety and without breaking ground regulations, and those who want to sit can do so without their view being blocked by fans standing in front of them. It's been a long time coming, but logic and common sense are finally winning through. Congratulations Malcolm. I distinctly remember you being told this campaign was a complete waste of time on here (years ago) because there was no way the government would ever allow a return to standing. Well done to all of you for ignoring that and campaigning so tirelessly for common sense to prevail. Cheers, Potterlog. A lot of people must rightly take credit for never giving up and as you say believing that eventually logic, evidence and common sense would win the day. Credit too to the Sports Ground Safety Authority for changing their stance and influencing Government.
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Post by Malcolm Clarke on Sept 23, 2021 5:20:53 GMT
Absolutely. There should now be a consultation and open debate at Stoke City ( and indeed all clubs) about the possibilities, options and level of interest. I almost feel a bit emotional about this - this is the culmination of a 30-year campaign to get to the position where those who want to stand can do so in safety and without breaking ground regulations, and those who want to sit can do so without their view being blocked by fans standing in front of them. It's been a long time coming, but logic and common sense are finally winning through. Congratulations Malcolm. I distinctly remember you being told this campaign was a complete waste of time on here (years ago) because there was no way the government would ever allow a return to standing. Well done to all of you for ignoring that and campaigning so tirelessly for common sense to prevail. I should pay particular tribute to a lad called Phil Gatenby. Phil is a Man City fan who, back in the day, started "SAFE" - "Standing Areas for Eastlands" to try to get a standing area included in what was then the new Man City stadium. He didn't succeed of course, but then led the FSA's national campaign for many years, including suffering public ridicule from the then Chief Executive of the Football Licensing Authority ( as the SGSA was called in those days). But Phil never gave up making the argument and collecting the evidence, and inspired many to keep up the campaign. He eventually emigrated to the USA but I'm sure he will be raising a glass over there this morning. Thanks Phil - we did it in the end, and your role hasn't been forgotten.
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Post by wagsastokie on Sept 23, 2021 5:41:20 GMT
Congratulations Malcolm. I distinctly remember you being told this campaign was a complete waste of time on here (years ago) because there was no way the government would ever allow a return to standing. Well done to all of you for ignoring that and campaigning so tirelessly for common sense to prevail. I should pay particular tribute to a lad called Phil Gatenby. Phil is a Man City fan who, back in the day, started "SAFE" - "Standing Areas for Eastlands" to try to get a standing area included in what was then the new Man City stadium. He didn't succeed of course, but then led the FSA's national campaign for many years, including suffering public ridicule from the then Chief Executive of the Football Licensing Authority ( as the SGSA was called in those days). But Phil never gave up making the argument and collecting the evidence, and inspired many to keep up the campaign. He eventually emigrated to the USA but I'm sure he will be raising a glass over there this morning. Thanks Phil - we did it in the end, and your role hasn't been forgotten. Malcolm Do you have any idea yet how it will work will it be a allocated space for each ticket So you’re not necessarily standing next to mates or family Or will it be more of a stand where you wish within the area you have a ticket for
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Post by Malcolm Clarke on Sept 23, 2021 6:00:42 GMT
I should pay particular tribute to a lad called Phil Gatenby. Phil is a Man City fan who, back in the day, started "SAFE" - "Standing Areas for Eastlands" to try to get a standing area included in what was then the new Man City stadium. He didn't succeed of course, but then led the FSA's national campaign for many years, including suffering public ridicule from the then Chief Executive of the Football Licensing Authority ( as the SGSA was called in those days). But Phil never gave up making the argument and collecting the evidence, and inspired many to keep up the campaign. He eventually emigrated to the USA but I'm sure he will be raising a glass over there this morning. Thanks Phil - we did it in the end, and your role hasn't been forgotten. Malcolm Do you have any idea yet how it will work will it be a allocated space for each ticket So you’re not necessarily standing next to mates or family Or will it be more of a stand where you wish within the area you have a ticket for This is one of the things we will need to discuss with the SGSA and possibly the local Council Safety Advisory Groups who licence each stadium. I think the SGSA have said that there will be one ticket per space in total, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to stand in that exact place - they will no doubt issue further guidance on that in due course. All of which is a long winded way of saying I don’t know the answer to your question !!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2021 6:01:58 GMT
Congratulations Malcolm. I distinctly remember you being told this campaign was a complete waste of time on here (years ago) because there was no way the government would ever allow a return to standing. Well done to all of you for ignoring that and campaigning so tirelessly for common sense to prevail. I should pay particular tribute to a lad called Phil Gatenby. Phil is a Man City fan who, back in the day, started "SAFE" - "Standing Areas for Eastlands" to try to get a standing area included in what was then the new Man City stadium. He didn't succeed of course, but then led the FSA's national campaign for many years, including suffering public ridicule from the then Chief Executive of the Football Licensing Authority ( as the SGSA was called in those days). But Phil never gave up making the argument and collecting the evidence, and inspired many to keep up the campaign. He eventually emigrated to the USA but I'm sure he will be raising a glass over there this morning. Thanks Phil - we did it in the end, and your role hasn't been forgotten. At the risk of getting ahead of myself - are there any plans to campaign for a return of actual terracing? In Germany I’m sure traditional terracing is common.
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Post by wagsastokie on Sept 23, 2021 6:08:06 GMT
Malcolm Do you have any idea yet how it will work will it be a allocated space for each ticket So you’re not necessarily standing next to mates or family Or will it be more of a stand where you wish within the area you have a ticket for This is one of the things we will need to discuss with the SGSA and possibly the local Council Safety Advisory Groups who licence each stadium. I think the SGSA have said that there will be one ticket per space in total, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to stand in that exact place - they will no doubt issue further guidance on that in due course. All of which is a long winded way of saying I don’t know the answer to your question !! Thank you for replying I know any movement towards safe standing is welcome To me the whole point of standing is to stand with mates and family Not have the same situation at present where you see mates before the start half time if in the same stand and at the end ( if some don’t piss off early to avoid traffic )
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Sept 23, 2021 6:20:04 GMT
I should pay particular tribute to a lad called Phil Gatenby. Phil is a Man City fan who, back in the day, started "SAFE" - "Standing Areas for Eastlands" to try to get a standing area included in what was then the new Man City stadium. He didn't succeed of course, but then led the FSA's national campaign for many years, including suffering public ridicule from the then Chief Executive of the Football Licensing Authority ( as the SGSA was called in those days). But Phil never gave up making the argument and collecting the evidence, and inspired many to keep up the campaign. He eventually emigrated to the USA but I'm sure he will be raising a glass over there this morning. Thanks Phil - we did it in the end, and your role hasn't been forgotten. At the risk of getting ahead of myself - are there any plans to campaign for a return of actual terracing? In Germany I’m sure traditional terracing is common. One of the problems with traditional terracing is that, even if you could convince the government to approve it for the top two divisions (unlikely) you would have the problem that UEFA regulations say that games in the Europa and Champions Leagues etc. MUST take place in stadia with all the fans seated. So why would any club introduce traditional terracing which would have to be closed for UEFA competitions? Rail seating was devised precisely so that an area can easily be converted from seating to standing and vice versa. It also gives clubs the versatility to vary the percentage of the stadium devoted to seating or standing game by game or season by season, should they wish to do so. I'm not sure what advantage traditional terracing makes it appealing to you? Surely if everyone in a standing area has a rail in front of them it is much more comfortable as well as being safer. Unless you are addicted to the "surges" which can happen on traditional terraces????
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2021 6:21:07 GMT
This is one of the things we will need to discuss with the SGSA and possibly the local Council Safety Advisory Groups who licence each stadium. I think the SGSA have said that there will be one ticket per space in total, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that you have to stand in that exact place - they will no doubt issue further guidance on that in due course. All of which is a long winded way of saying I don’t know the answer to your question !! Thank you for replying I know any movement towards safe standing is welcome To me the whole point of standing is to stand with mates and family Not have the same situation at present where you see mates before the start half time if in the same stand and at the end ( if some don’t piss off early to avoid traffic ) Agree. I have to say, as an early 30s man, as pleased as I am that common sense has prevailed, this announcement leaves a bittersweet aftertaste for me. I can’t help but feel somewhat robbed of the opportunity for halcyon late-teens to early 20s days of standing on terraces with your mates. Safe-standing is a hugely progressive step, but I don’t personally view it as winning the war; merely winning a crucial battle. With all that in mind I can only pay my respects to the long term campaigners who are much more senior. I suspect there are campaigners who wanted to stand when they began, but no longer wish to do so anymore, but have pushed ahead regardless as a matter of principle and empathy.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2021 6:28:00 GMT
At the risk of getting ahead of myself - are there any plans to campaign for a return of actual terracing? In Germany I’m sure traditional terracing is common. One of the problems with traditional terracing is that, even if you could convince the government to approve it for the top two divisions (unlikely) you would have the problem that UEFA regulations say that games in the Europa and Champions Leagues etc. MUST take place in stadia with all the fans seated. So why would any club introduce traditional terracing which would have to be closed for UEFA competitions? Rail seating was devised precisely so that an area can easily be converted from seating to standing and vice versa. It also gives clubs the versatility to vary the percentage of the stadium devoted to seating or standing game by game or season by season, should they wish to do so. I'm not sure what advantage traditional terracing makes it appealing to you? Surely if everyone in a standing area has a rail in front of them it is much more comfortable as well as being safer. Unless you are addicted to the "surges" which can happen on traditional terraces???? The first paragraph makes sense and maybe makes a return to more traditional terracing just a no go. As wags states, the appeal of traditional terracing for me is the ability to stand with a group of mates rather than have a specifically designated spot. Safe-standing is the same situation as with all seated where, when grounds are close to capacity, you’ll often have a situation where you travel to the game with mates but separate for the actual match. Traditional terracing also has some slight advantages for a club. There are still many older all seated stands that are the old terrace with bolted on seats. I think vale’s away end is one example? In which case these sort of stands could be reconverted to terracing for a small capacity increase? Providing the concourses and facilities are within regulation with that capacity increase of course. One more thing - if traditional terraces led to capacity increase then maybe it would have a positive effect on ticket prices in those areas? Or maybe I’m being naive in thinking so in the modern age.
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Post by wagsastokie on Sept 23, 2021 6:32:38 GMT
Thank you for replying I know any movement towards safe standing is welcome To me the whole point of standing is to stand with mates and family Not have the same situation at present where you see mates before the start half time if in the same stand and at the end ( if some don’t piss off early to avoid traffic ) Agree. I have to say, as an early 30s man, as pleased as I am that common sense has prevailed, this announcement leaves a bittersweet aftertaste for me. I can’t help but feel somewhat robbed of the opportunity for halcyon late-teens to early 20s days of standing on terraces with your mates. Safe-standing is a hugely progressive step, but I don’t personally view it as winning the war; merely winning a crucial battle. With all that in mind I can only pay my respects to the long term campaigners who are much more senior. I suspect there are campaigners who wanted to stand when they began, but no longer wish to do so anymore, but have pushed ahead regardless as a matter of principle and empathy. Well said I will never forget my memories of going to football in the late seventies eighties mostly not all good Often it was the laughs banter and friendships that got you through not the shite football being played on the pitch I’ve never really enjoyed it the same with all seated stadiums where your basically surrounded by virtually strangers
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Post by Gods on Sept 23, 2021 7:01:35 GMT
I should pay particular tribute to a lad called Phil Gatenby. Phil is a Man City fan who, back in the day, started "SAFE" - "Standing Areas for Eastlands" to try to get a standing area included in what was then the new Man City stadium. He didn't succeed of course, but then led the FSA's national campaign for many years, including suffering public ridicule from the then Chief Executive of the Football Licensing Authority ( as the SGSA was called in those days). But Phil never gave up making the argument and collecting the evidence, and inspired many to keep up the campaign. He eventually emigrated to the USA but I'm sure he will be raising a glass over there this morning. Thanks Phil - we did it in the end, and your role hasn't been forgotten. At the risk of getting ahead of myself - are there any plans to campaign for a return of actual terracing? In Germany I’m sure traditional terracing is common. I completely see why you might ask. For me the joy of terracing was not so much the act of standing up, I can do that anytime, it was the ability to move around. Catch-up with your mates on different parts of the terrace, dip in and out of the singing group, watch one half close up from the front and another with perspective from the back, step away from the gob shite who pisses you off every week, go and give the away fans the big 'have that!' when we equalise all of those good things that amounted to freedom. I welcome this but it's very much standing behind a seat with the part of the seat you sit on flipped up so far as I can see. Standing-lite I'd call it, it's standing alright, but standing without the real benefit of standing which for anyone who doesn't know is MOVING !
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Post by Malcolm Clarke on Sept 23, 2021 7:23:07 GMT
I should pay particular tribute to a lad called Phil Gatenby. Phil is a Man City fan who, back in the day, started "SAFE" - "Standing Areas for Eastlands" to try to get a standing area included in what was then the new Man City stadium. He didn't succeed of course, but then led the FSA's national campaign for many years, including suffering public ridicule from the then Chief Executive of the Football Licensing Authority ( as the SGSA was called in those days). But Phil never gave up making the argument and collecting the evidence, and inspired many to keep up the campaign. He eventually emigrated to the USA but I'm sure he will be raising a glass over there this morning. Thanks Phil - we did it in the end, and your role hasn't been forgotten. At the risk of getting ahead of myself - are there any plans to campaign for a return of actual terracing? In Germany I’m sure traditional terracing is common. It is indeed, as it is in this country at levels below the top 2 tiers of the pyramid, all at grounds with safety certificates. It's not very long of course since we were able to watch Stoke at Brentford in the Championship from a 'traditional' terrace. The idea that the safety of a ground is affected by the standard of football on the pitch is of course a logical absurdity ! Never say never - but don't hold your breath !
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Post by Malcolm Clarke on Sept 23, 2021 7:33:13 GMT
At the risk of getting ahead of myself - are there any plans to campaign for a return of actual terracing? In Germany I’m sure traditional terracing is common. One of the problems with traditional terracing is that, even if you could convince the government to approve it for the top two divisions (unlikely) you would have the problem that UEFA regulations say that games in the Europa and Champions Leagues etc. MUST take place in stadia with all the fans seated. So why would any club introduce traditional terracing which would have to be closed for UEFA competitions? Rail seating was devised precisely so that an area can easily be converted from seating to standing and vice versa. It also gives clubs the versatility to vary the percentage of the stadium devoted to seating or standing game by game or season by season, should they wish to do so. I'm not sure what advantage traditional terracing makes it appealing to you? Surely if everyone in a standing area has a rail in front of them it is much more comfortable as well as being safer. Unless you are addicted to the "surges" which can happen on traditional terraces???? That's true, John, but there is a campaign at the European level through FSE to get that changed. It's very difficult to assess the probablity or timescale of that being successful. I think Gods answered your question about the attractions to some fans of 'tradtional' terraces, all of which of course have the requisite safety certificates.
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Sept 23, 2021 8:00:22 GMT
One of the problems with traditional terracing is that, even if you could convince the government to approve it for the top two divisions (unlikely) you would have the problem that UEFA regulations say that games in the Europa and Champions Leagues etc. MUST take place in stadia with all the fans seated. So why would any club introduce traditional terracing which would have to be closed for UEFA competitions? Rail seating was devised precisely so that an area can easily be converted from seating to standing and vice versa. It also gives clubs the versatility to vary the percentage of the stadium devoted to seating or standing game by game or season by season, should they wish to do so. I'm not sure what advantage traditional terracing makes it appealing to you? Surely if everyone in a standing area has a rail in front of them it is much more comfortable as well as being safer. Unless you are addicted to the "surges" which can happen on traditional terraces???? That's true, John, but there is a campaign at the European level through FSE to get that changed. It's very difficult to assess the probablity or timescale of that being successful. I think Gods answered your question about the attractions to some fans of 'tradtional' terraces, all of which of course have the requisite safety certificates. Even with rail seating, Malcolm, it should be possible to create areas where people could meet up with mates like they used to do in the old days. In recent years (in all seated stadia) I have been to away games where seating has been unreserved (Preston is a club which comes to mind) and we all did as we used to do years ago - i.e. looked for and sat by friends during the game. I doubt if it could be done during the trial period, and it certainly depends upon a certain amount of under capacity to work, but I'm sure, with a bit of imagination, clubs could devise plans, once rail seated areas become the norm, to allow friends to arrive early enough and group themselves together to watch the match. Is there any recent German experience we can draw on for this?
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Post by Scouse on Sept 23, 2021 8:49:11 GMT
Whilst it’s true home fans may have a choice , I’m not sure that will apply to away fans My concern is clubs opting for rail seats in home sections are likely to put rail seats in across their entire away section .( think that’s what Liverpool are doing 1600 back of the Kop against 6000 in the road end ) . so nothing will change for away fans , in away sections you’ll still have people who will stand and others who want to sit .. The 6000 in the entire stand will negate sight line issues because effectively by default everyone will be expected to stand in that section or are there proposals that a choice has to be given to away fans ..ie two separately defined spaces That will be a matter for the SGSA. I read their statement as implying that away fans must also have a choice, not just that the standing areas must be in the away as well as the home areas, but we will seek clarification on that point. Many thanks Malcolm .I’m not opposed to seating or indeed standing ..far from it .. I welcome both .. but there needs to be a choice ,and a choice for all .. IMHO away fans having access to rail seats if home fans do will be for the increased stewarding issues that’d ensue otherwise ..already the standard response by away ( home ) fans when threatened with being thrown out for persistent standing is look at the home ( away ) fans standing ..to which the stewards stock reply is ‘that’s not my section’ aways fans frequently pay more than the average home ST holder .. with limited opportunities due to membership schemes for home fans to purchase tickets elsewhere to benifit from better sight lines , facilities ( subject to availability ) without jumping through many hoops or circumnavigating systems in place .. rather they’re expected to pay top whack whilst being thrown the scraps and expected to be thankful they’ve been let in at all understandably some of the segregation issues introduced are for supporter security reasons .. (but just like fences that introduction created it’s own issues ..and those issues only magnified ‘us and them ‘ attitudes ) for too long away fans have remained being seen as ‘trouble’ to be controlled , rather than guests bringing revenue to the clubs & the area ..it’s not the mid 70s to 90 , something with changing times many fans have taken on board , but clubs with the security aspect to contend with less so Hopefully this is a real positive step forward , not just for those who put forward better atmospheres being the bi product , but to end the countless fan on fan confrontations up and down the country each week caused by standing in seating areas
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Post by Deleted on Sept 23, 2021 9:08:09 GMT
Does anyone know if the Supporters Council have been contacted about this? I'll do it myself if needs be. I sent an email to Tony Scholes this morning with some questions on the clubs current thoughts. The supporters council will probably bring it up in the next meeting but the club need to be pushed before then.
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Post by Squeekster on Sept 23, 2021 10:36:15 GMT
Did they mention on the man u game last night that there were some safe standing or did I miss hear?
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Post by Gods on Sept 23, 2021 10:53:20 GMT
Did they mention on the man u game last that there were some safe standing or did I miss hear? Dunno but a crowd of 72k wasn't too shabby and WHU selling out their allocation, must have been quite a night for those 'lovable' cockney hammers!
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Post by ashleyscfc on Sept 23, 2021 14:55:30 GMT
I hope the club would gauge interest in this but I'm not holding my breath.
Seems to me if there was the appetite a sensible option would be to remove a particular amount of seats from the boothen to convert to safe standing and use them to replace the older seats in the lower Franklyn stand. They look like they need replacing anyway to bring in line with the rest of the stadium.
Boothen end gets safe standing and the Franklyn gets some new seats that it could do with.
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Post by ashleyscfc on Sept 23, 2021 14:58:28 GMT
That's true, John, but there is a campaign at the European level through FSE to get that changed. It's very difficult to assess the probablity or timescale of that being successful. I think Gods answered your question about the attractions to some fans of 'tradtional' terraces, all of which of course have the requisite safety certificates. Even with rail seating, Malcolm, it should be possible to create areas where people could meet up with mates like they used to do in the old days. In recent years (in all seated stadia) I have been to away games where seating has been unreserved (Preston is a club which comes to mind) and we all did as we used to do years ago - i.e. looked for and sat by friends during the game. I doubt if it could be done during the trial period, and it certainly depends upon a certain amount of under capacity to work, but I'm sure, with a bit of imagination, clubs could devise plans, once rail seated areas become the norm, to allow friends to arrive early enough and group themselves together to watch the match. Is there any recent German experience we can draw on for this? Agree with this, for me this should of been done during covid. It would of been great to see the club add a perimeter fence around the bottom of the bowl like clubs in europe (One of the pre-season games in germany a club had a setup similar to this) and then this becomes the extension the concourse desperately needs and could scratch the itch of having a "fan zone" as the entirety of the outside of the ground could be used.
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Post by Malcolm Clarke on Sept 23, 2021 15:04:31 GMT
The Supporters Council need to get in touch with the club about this ASAP. It shouldn't just be a question to the club, which might get the same non-committal/negative response as previously, but a firm request that, now that the legal position has changed, which was always given as the reason for not doing anything, the Club should undertake a consultation with the fan base and a feasibility study. The Sentinel report www.stokesentinel.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/stoke-city-safe-standing-bet365-5958172?utm_source=stokeontrent_live_newsletter&utm_campaign=scfc_newsletter2&utm_medium=emailquotes the Supporters Council Chair as predicting that the Club will "monitor" the situation, which is effectively no change, but does not give an indication that the Council will press for much more than that, now that the legal position has changed significantly. Although the formal announcement has only just been made, it has been known that it's coming (hence my TV appearance with Roger Johnson). I don't know what the basis of the SC Chair's prediction is, but I hope that, as I said above, the Council will do much more than just ask the club about its intentions, but will press for supporter consultation and an options appaisal, not just "monitoring" the situation (whatever that means - what exactly would be "monitored" ? ).
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Post by simple on Sept 23, 2021 15:55:48 GMT
Most of us who remember standing on the Boothen on a cold night when you could walk around to keep your feet warm are most proberly to old to stand up leaning forward on a rail for over 90min. As stated safe standing will not be like it was when you used meet in the same place week in week. But more seriously what financial advantage would this give us.It will not increase capacity,there will be a cost. where would it be situated?
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Post by stick7 on Sept 23, 2021 16:10:34 GMT
Another disappointing response from Stoke with the same old non-committal,let's wait until all the other clubs get this before us.It makes me wonder if the club have even looked into the whole safe standing idea at all over the last few years. Again for me, I feel it's up to us fans who want this to keep badgering the club and the supporters council to do a feasibility study on how we can implement safe standing at Stoke.If club's like Shrewsbury,Bristol City and Cardiff can implement this to name but a few why can't Stoke.I just wish Stoke would be a bit more forward thinking for once.
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Post by Lakeland Potter on Sept 23, 2021 16:44:37 GMT
Most of us who remember standing on the Boothen on a cold night when you could walk around to keep your feet warm are most proberly to old to stand up leaning forward on a rail for over 90min. As stated safe standing will not be like it was when you used meet in the same place week in week. But more seriously what financial advantage would this give us.It will not increase capacity,there will be a cost. where would it be situated?Examples: The top, say, 20 rows of the Boothen and/or South stands could be rail seating with the rows in front of them left with normal seating as at present. Or, either or both of the two completed corners of the ground could be fully occupied by rail seating (or have the top rows with rail seating) without obscuring the sight lines of the pitch for seated people in the stands either side of the corners.
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