Safe Standing? Away Standing

[Lampiao]

I don't go to away matches an more. I am getting on a bit and I have problems with an old back injury, plus a bit of arthritis in the knees. Standing for more than 10 - 15 minutes at a time is difficult for me. However up to three seasons ago I was still going along to a few away games. However at the last few I attended the away following now seem to insist on standing all the way through a match - which unfortunately I cannot do. If I sit down I can't see. Anyway several times I have moved to vacant seats at the sides or usually at the front but on the last occasion there was none spare. What upset me most of all was being told to "F-OFF GRANDAD" by a "fellow supporter".. Subsequently I had contacted a few of the away clubs I fancied going to, to see if I could get seats elsewhere in the ground and it was a firm refusal on "safety grounds". Ok I do stand up when we score and there is a crowd buzz", but I do think that proper seating areas for away supporters should be also kept as we all don't want to stand or are able to stand

 

[SB_90]

I fully agree even though im young (ish) that doesnt affect me. it would be a good idea because it would be sad if older fans well like they couldnt go to away matches anymore. Unfortunately you do get idiots. I remember at fa cup match old trafford i ran in to selfish gits who was 18-21 & quite abusive to family that was polite. wouldve effectively forced old man around 70 with walking stick to stand up the whole game but 1/2hr in. luckily mine wasnt obstructed & they ask if we could swap 3 seats across with them & i was more than happy to

but the vast majority of fans are good. I was at birmingham with 9 yr old niece & they fans around couldnt be more helpful

 

[blade62]

I have a similar problem and find it difficult to stand for long. So far I’ve been lucky to find a seat on the edge or front this season with the help of stewards. There should be a small section of seating set aside but I realise it’s difficult when tickets are in high demand.
What I do is register on new opposition websites when fixtures come out so I can get a ticket. I don’t have a Sheffield postcode, so that makes it easier. Obviously it’s in home end, but I get as close to away end as I can to get the atmosphere. It can be quite entertaining listening to comments from home fans. Port Vale last year was classic. Unfortunately no celebrating allowed

 

[Northyorksblade]

I too find it difficult to stand for a whole game, but at Ieast, if people are standing in a seated area, I can rest every few minutes while the ball is out of play, or a player is down injured. At Harrogate Town Sunday I was in the standing area, both halves had lengthy injury time added and by the end of the game I was bloody knackered. Definitely too old for all standing!

 

[metalblade]

This is why I voted for safe standing areas in the recent poll, not because I want to stand I don't but those that do and are able to stand should have an area where the can stand without spoiling it for the less able and older fans.
Get safe standing starting at the back and make sure the people in seated areas sit down then everyone is happy.

 

[Living In a Fantasy World]

I only go to a few away games also, mainly due to time/ cost.
It is frustrating having to stand, defently wrong for people like yourself or young fans, went to leicester away in the cup and it was a joke, fans were stood all game and even on the steps the idiots.
To be honest going to some of theese away games, I'm shocked they haven't been banned, bringing in flairs, smoking in toilets, abuse ect..

 

[Chali 2na]

Fuck off Grandad

 

[Bashar Al Asaba]

Well I would sit down, but I'm always getting complaints about my lucky stovepipe hat that I wear to every away match.
Can't bloody win sometimes.

 

[coolhandluke]

I don't go to away matches an more. I am getting on a bit and I have problems with an old back injury, plus a bit of arthritis in the knees. Standing for more than 10 - 15 minutes at a time is difficult for me. However up to three seasons ago I was still going along to a few away games. However at the last few I attended the away following now seem to insist on standing all the way through a match - which unfortunately I cannot do. If I sit down I can't see. Anyway several times I have moved to vacant seats at the sides or usually at the front but on the last occasion there was none spare. What upset me most of all was being told to "F-OFF GRANDAD" by a "fellow supporter".. Subsequently I had contacted a few of the away clubs I fancied going to, to see if I could get seats elsewhere in the ground and it was a firm refusal on "safety grounds". Ok I do stand up when we score and there is a crowd buzz", but I do think that proper seating areas for away supporters should be also kept as we all don't want to stand or are able to stand

I read posts like this and spend a great deal of time fruitlessly soul searching and asking myself " where did it all go so wrong " ?

Has our away support sunk this low ? One of our old timers pleads with people to allow him to stay seated AND watch the match and they are told to " F-OFF GRANDAD " ? What the fuck are our chabbies doing ?? Punch the fucker in the kidneys for crying out loud .

Bring back national service now or God help us if we ever go to war .

 

[Ferenc Blade]

And that's the reason I wouldn't take my son to away matches...you pay for seats. Sit in them so all can see

 

[OldBillBlade]

This is why I voted for safe standing areas in the recent poll, not because I want to stand I don't but those that do and are able to stand should have an area where the can stand without spoiling it for the less able and older fans.
Get safe standing starting at the back and make sure the people in seated areas sit down then everyone is happy.

Agree. But the safe standing should be at the front. This gives a fair view for everyone and reduces safety concerns.
UTB

 

[bladesmanluke]

I have a problem with one of my knees that makes it difficult to sit.

I’m not joking. We need standing areas back, whilst keeping some seating of course

 

[Ricky]

If we all sat at away matches I'd simply stop going.

 

[georgebernardshaw]

If we all sat at away matches I'd simply stop going.

Without wishing to appear rude, that would be problem solved

 

[Ricky]

Without wishing to appear rude, that would be problem solved

Yes, it'd be great sat in silence for 90 minutes away from home wouldn't it. Just how it's meant to be.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

Yes, it'd be great sat in silence for 90 minutes away from home wouldn't it. Just how it's meant to be.

Like bladesmanluke says above, it needs to be balanced - we need a mixture, everyone needs to be catered for and its pretty straightforward to do so - only the powers that be cant see it.

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

If we all sat at away matches I'd simply stop going.

Puts you in the same situation as those unable to stand, then. Difference is yours is by choice.

 

[Ricky]

Ideally there should be the option to sit or stand. But away from home it should be at least 70% standing.

 

[snootyfenooty]

I've got a peculiar problem. If I stand up my back aches like fuck but if I sit down I can't get back up as my knees are seized. Should have a reclining section for us oldies. Prime seats in SS, all at OAP's rates thank you.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

Ideally there should be the option to sit or stand. But away from home it should be at least 70% standing.

Whys that? Surly 50/50 keeps it fair.

 

[TJB.]

Whys that? Surly 50/50 keeps it fair.

Extensive fan surveying would be needed, I reckon. A 50/50 split is indeed fair, but do 50% of away fans want to sit but many have to stand because of others? You'd need to get that bang on.

 

[georgebernardshaw]

Yes, it'd be great sat in silence for 90 minutes away from home wouldn't it. Just how it's meant to be.

A fair point, and I’m aware of your feelings about our support. I too would prefer to stand as I did on the Kop in the 60s, 70s and 80s.

Just to add a bit of perspective, when we went down to Wembley for Blackwell’s bete noire, I had recently had the pot removed after a leg fracture. Obviously, a walking stick was out of the question, and by the time we reached the ground, I was well knackered.
After about half an hour, everyone around us stood up, meaning I had to do the same to get a view - asking them to sit down, and pointing out the reason, was fruitless, just a contemptuous silence and the feeling that standing was their right.
My point is that safe standing is definitely the way forward providing it doesn’t inconvenience those whose old fart status makes them disadvantaged by such behaviour.

 

[Ricky]

Whys that? Surly 50/50 keeps it fair.

Away fans generally stand.

The majority are clearly capable of standing all game.

If a majority of ours weren't happy to stand at away matches then there's no way we all would.

 

[SteveBlade]

I still don't really understand how standing up is somehow better and creates more of an atmosphere or whatever than sitting down.

I can only think that your lungs and vocal cords are a bit more squashed, making it about 1% more difficult to shout loudly. But I've seen fuckers in wheelchairs scream louder than anyone, so it can't be that.

Someone throw some science at me.

 

[HeCanDoMagic]

Away fans generally stand.

The majority are clearly capable of standing all game.

If a majority of ours weren't happy to stand at away matches then there's no way we all would.

They do generally stand but that could be because they are forced to due to others in front of them standing etc. Just think, likes other above have said, that it needs to be done carefully and considerately.

 

[TJB.]

Away fans generally stand.

The majority are clearly capable of standing all game.

If a majority of ours weren't happy to stand at away matches then there's no way we all would.

But because so many are standing it might affect the choice of those who might wish to sit, thus creating the illusion that everybody in an away end wants to stand. Vast majority most probably do, but as I said, extensive surveys would be more decisive.

 

[Northyorksblade]

Away fans generally stand.

The majority are clearly capable of standing all game.

If a majority of ours weren't happy to stand at away matches then there's no way we all would.

Don't assume that all people are standing because they want to.A lot of us only stand because we have no option, due to the inconsiderate bastards.
And Birmingham away was an absolute joke. About thirty young lads came and stood in the aisle next to us, blocking the steps and surrounding area. When we scored they all went berserk, obviously, and everyone went flying, including a young lad about seven or eight. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on your point of view,, that was the last time we had cause to celebrate

 

[georgebernardshaw]

I've got a peculiar problem. If I stand up my back aches like fuck but if I sit down I can't get back up as my knees are seized. Should have a reclining section for us oldies. Prime seats in SS, all at OAP's rates thank you.

Welcome to my world, snoots....

 

[blade62]

Don't assume that all people are standing because they want to.A lot of us only stand because we have no option, due to the inconsiderate bastards.
And Birmingham away was an absolute joke. About thirty young lads came and stood in the aisle next to us, blocking the steps and surrounding area. When we scored they all went berserk, obviously, and everyone went flying, including a young lad about seven or eight. Unfortunately or fortunately depending on your point of view,, that was the last time we had cause to celebrate

That usually happens, none of them sit in the seats allocated. As far as I can make out they sell from the front backwards. When I’ve bought from the ticket office I’ve been given a choice of seat; buying online it’s pot luck. Naturally the young lads want to be together so once the teams are out they often move en mass It happened to me at Barnsley, couldn't see a thing.
Perhaps Improvements could be made in the selling system, but they usually say the home club insist that tickets are sold in sequence.

 

[Rodley]

I still don't really understand how standing up is somehow better and creates more of an atmosphere or whatever than sitting down.

I can only think that your lungs and vocal cords are a bit more squashed, making it about 1% more difficult to shout loudly. But I've seen fuckers in wheelchairs scream louder than anyone, so it can't be that.

Someone throw some science at me.

My science is decades of watching football. Standing is noisier, it encourages people to sing more. People can congregate in an area together and that’s the focal point for generating noise. Look at everywhere it’s been implemented, Celtic is the latest example.

People keep throwing more and more obtuse arguments against rail seating - choice will happen. Fewer and fewer younger people are choosing to watch football, we need to create an environment which isn’t sterile but is safe to keep the nippers coming. Plus keep us oldies who like the odd sing song from turning into old fogies. Rail seating offers that.