Safe Standing and Atmosphere

[Valley Blade]

By extension, we don't know they didn't do that and take the first 500 responses.

Wouldn't have been too difficult to ask the 3,000 it affects and then make decisions, based on their opinions. A bit more respectful too.

 

[General Jase]

I can't find details of this and it's possible they weren't disclosed but I'm a season ticket in a different stand and I didn't receive the survey.

The club may well have tried to survey the affected ticket holders, or picked 1000 from within that area and taken the first 500 responses.

Either way, we've no reason to believe otherwise. Why would 91% of John Street season ticket holders say they want rail seats on the Kop? It stands to logic that the responders are from the Kop.

Well I sit (or probably wont now ) in the affected area and have not been contacted or asked

 

[Panini]

In the interests of my sanity, please don't tell me whether you did or didn't receive the survey.

 

[Vass Borbokis]

Hopefully there's enough wanting to move after the change, so that we can shake it up at the back of the kop and try and get some atmosphere going again.
I'd love to get a chance at some of the hoarded seats.

 

[Ginger Gnome]

Hopefully there's enough wanting to move after the change, so that we can shake it up at the back of the kop and try and get some atmosphere going again.
I'd love to get a chance at some of the hoarded seats.

Problem is the way they've done it, it's hard to move as people in the standing zone would presumably like a seat just a few rows in front but they all have people in them, so most will probably just put up with it.

Should have done it during season ticket renewals and could probably have worked out a decent way for people to swap rows without being displaced too much either way.

 

[Inter_blade83]

Correct, I’ve paid for a seat I won’t be able to use UTB

Move

 

[Dkc]

Wouldn't have been too difficult to ask the 3,000 it affects and then make decisions, based on their opinions. A bit more respectful too.

Given that many stand anyway, it's almost certain that a majority would vote for standing. Some wouldn't.

Those who want to sit can move to another seat on the Kop, which is big enough to offer a decent alternative to everyone in the standing area who prefers to sit. Alternatively I presume they could get a refund.

I really don't see what more the club could have done.

 

[Inter_blade83]

Given that many stand anyway, it's almost certain that a majority would vote for standing. Some wouldn't.

Those who want to sit can move to another seat on the Kop, which is big enough to offer a decent alternative to everyone in the standing area who prefers to sit. Alternatively I presume they could get a refund.

I really don't see what more the club could have done.

At over 6ft, I can't even sit on the kop anyways without my knees and shins getting shredded by the seats every time you stand up and down when the ball gets closer to the kop.

The stand isn't fit for seating. It's essentially a terrace with seats bolted on.

Theres 21,000 seats on three other stands than the Kop. Only 3,000 of 10,000 are being used for safe standing.

People need to get a grip tbh.

 

[Fjortoft's Aeroplane]

Saying to loyal fans "not up to standing all match week in, week out? Where shall we relocate you?" after just seeing their team lose 4 on the bounce isn't ideal timing.

"Nowhere pal, I'll take a refund as I've been mis-sold, my custom is gone forever" is a fairly reasonable answer, especially given our form since COH arrived.

 

[Dkc]

The club could offer 'upgrades' to the SS or JSS at no extra charge for those who are not happy. Would be a nice gesture and may bring in extra cash if they renew next aesaon.

 

[Inter_blade83]

The club could offer 'upgrades' to the SS or JSS at no extra charge for those who are not happy. Would be a nice gesture and may bring in extra cash if they renew next aesaon.

Anywhere is an upgrade on the kop. Maybe offer any seat they want, plus one game in hospitality as compensation

 

[TCsLoveChild]

Move

Or you could just feck off. UTB

 

[Inter_blade83]

Or you could just feck off. UTB

If you did, someone could stand!

 

[FlamingLip]

Habits and policy change with time. The club can't please everyone. As with other things, just adapt. Or kick up a fuss, then adapt.

 

[Stand United]

I've also filled a survey in that covered many topics including safe standing.

I can't find it but I'm sure it was from Stand United , who is undoubtedly the reference point overall here.

There’s this survey that we ran in 2021 that surveyed 500 fans. It was done completely independently of the club. The club as far as I’m aware haven’t run their own survey. They certainly haven’t done this off the back of one survey from 4 years ago, but the results are generally in line with what has been seen more broadly around clubs as a whole.

I can understand the frustration for some that this is happening midseason, and obviously ideally this would have been all confirmed before the renewal window, and there are a number of reasons why it’s happened the way it has. Fans that are affected should absolutely be helped to be accommodated in alternative seats outside the safe standing area, if they want to move out of the area.

There should be something imminently heading to STHs explaining the options to them.

 

[Pedro's Winger]

Given that many stand anyway, it's almost certain that a majority would vote for standing. Some wouldn't.

Those who want to sit can move to another seat on the Kop, which is big enough to offer a decent alternative to everyone in the standing area who prefers to sit. Alternatively I presume they could get a refund.

I really don't see what more the club could have done.

A few hundred at the most stand at the back of the kop.
The rest stand as and when, like everyone else in the ground.

 

[Pedro's Winger]

At over 6ft, I can't even sit on the kop anyways without my knees and shins getting shredded by the seats every time you stand up and down when the ball gets closer to the kop.

The stand isn't fit for seating. It's essentially a terrace with seats bolted on.

Theres 21,000 seats on three other stands than the Kop. Only 3,000 of 10,000 are being used for safe standing.

People need to get a grip tbh.

No they don't need to 'get a grip'.
Some have had the same seats for 20 years and weren't told this was happening when tickets were sold.
3000 is practically a third of the stand and not the amount needed.

 

[Valley Blade]

Given that many stand anyway, it's almost certain that a majority would vote for standing. Some wouldn't.

Those who want to sit can move to another seat on the Kop, which is big enough to offer a decent alternative to everyone in the standing area who prefers to sit. Alternatively I presume they could get a refund.

I really don't see what more the club could have done.

I take it you are not affected by it?

 

[Hamer's Right Peg]

Those moaning can leave quicker now.

Not sure what's the fuss about.

 

[Dkc]

I take it you are not affected by it?

Yes, positively. It means I can legally stand on the kop for the first time in about 35 years. Very happy about this.

 

[Valley Blade]

Yes, positively. It means I can legally stand on the kop for the first time in about 35 years. Very happy about this.

What if you were unable to stand for any length of time? What if you bought the seat in good faith, thinking it was reasonable to be able to sit on it. People don't want to be relocated, they are sat with friends, acquaintances, familiar faces. Its part of the ritual. Your place on our Kop. Why should they have to give that up?

 

[Broomhall Blade]

Given that many stand anyway, it's almost certain that a majority would vote for standing. Some wouldn't.

Those who want to sit can move to another seat on the Kop, which is big enough to offer a decent alternative to everyone in the standing area who prefers to sit. Alternatively I presume they could get a refund.

I really don't see what more the club could have done.

How many seats are avaliable in the middle section of the kop ?
Or do you mean if someone currently sits in the middle of the kop and is in the standing zone they have to move to the sides of the kop.

Getting a refund surely we don't want any fans asking for a refund especially if the only reason they are asking for one is because of safe standing, that just sounds like an I'm all right jack attitude.

The club could have done alot more like asking everyone who the safe standing area effects.
They didn't need to make the safe standing area so big to start with.
It should have been done in the close season at the end off last or this season.

 

[TCsLoveChild]

By extension, we don't know they didn't do that and take the first 500 responses.

They definitely didn’t contact me and I’m in the affected seats. UTB

 

[Inter_blade83]

How many seats are avaliable in the middle section of the kop ?
Or do you mean if someone currently sits in the middle of the kop and is in the standing zone they have to move to the sides of the kop.

Getting a refund surely we don't want any fans asking for a refund especially if the only reason they are asking for one is because of safe standing, that just sounds like an I'm all right jack attitude.

The club could have done alot more like asking everyone who the safe standing area effects.
They didn't need to make the safe standing area so big to start with.
It should have been done in the close season at the end off last or this season.

3k is under 10% of capacity. Liverpool are touching 15/20%, Brentford closer to 30%.

Typical Sheffield mentality.

Could they have done it close season/before season tickets were sold in that area? Yes. Could they have withheld ST sales there? Most likely.

But this is a positive change. Theres 28,000 other seats to go sit in.

 

[Pedro's Winger]

3k is under 10% of capacity. Liverpool are touching 15/20%, Brentford closer to 30%.

Typical Sheffield mentality.

Could they have done it close season/before season tickets were sold in that area? Yes. Could they have withheld ST sales there? Most likely.

But this is a positive change. Theres 28,000 other seats to go sit in.

Are you really that detached from the reality of people going in the same seats, sitting with the same people for years and years and think just telling them to go sit elsewhere is ok?

 

[Dkc]

Are you really that detached from the reality of people going in the same seats, sitting with the same people for years and years and think just telling them to go sit elsewhere is ok?

It happens for one reason or another. Blocks get closed. Stands are made family-only. Upgrades to eg press facilities. Over the years BL has seen numerous changes, and not everyone has welcomed them.

For most of its existance the kop has been a fully standing terrace until it was converted to an all-seater following the Taylor report. Despite this, fans have always stood up at the top, and the club has been threatened with the full or partial closure of the kop due to this.

Now safe standing has become accepted, the club was faced with a choice. Allow standing in the areas where many already stand, or continue to prohibit it and face sanctions. It chose to convert 3000 seats to safe standing, a decision that most are happy with.

I get that some are unhappy, as they were when H Block was closed, when the John St was designated the 'family stand' and when some South Stand seats were removed to accomodate new press facilities. There's no way to please everyone when developing the stadium.

If a bunch of people who know each other don't want to stand they can all request a move. If some prefer to stand than be with mates who move, so be it. By and large everyone on the Kop is friendly and will talk with their neighbours.

 

[Broomhall Blade]

3k is under 10% of capacity. Liverpool are touching 15/20%, Brentford closer to 30%.

Typical Sheffield mentality.

Could they have done it close season/before season tickets were sold in that area? Yes. Could they have withheld ST sales there? Most likely.

But this is a positive change. Theres 28,000 other seats to go sit in.

Nothing positive about it, won't bring any extra money in infact its cost money, and definitely won't improve the atmosphere.
I can also see problems with the people who are seated directly in front of were safe standing ends, with food and drink flying about if we score when someone is tucking into a balti pie.
So someone has sat in the same seat for 5, 10, 15 years with family and friends can just go and sit in 28,000 other seats ?
One slight problem though with your I'm alright Jack attitude is there are not 28,000 seats to choose from are there, and most of what is actually left to choose from are more expensive.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Nothing positive about it, won't bring any extra money in infact its cost money, and definitely won't improve the atmosphere.
I can also see problems with the people who are seated directly in front of were safe standing ends, with food and drink flying about if we score when someone is tucking into a balti pie.
So someone has sat in the same seat for 5, 10, 15 years with family and friends can just go and sit in 28,000 other seats ?
One slight problem though with your I'm alright Jack attitude is there are not 28,000 seats to choose from are there, and most of what is actually left to choose from are more expensive.

Vegetarian options to throw available also.

 

[Inter_blade83]

Nothing positive about it, won't bring any extra money in infact its cost money, and definitely won't improve the atmosphere.
I can also see problems with the people who are seated directly in front of were safe standing ends, with food and drink flying about if we score when someone is tucking into a balti pie.
So someone has sat in the same seat for 5, 10, 15 years with family and friends can just go and sit in 28,000 other seats ?
One slight problem though with your I'm alright Jack attitude is there are not 28,000 seats to choose from are there, and most of what is actually left to choose from are more expensive.

Its not a "im alright Jack" attitude. I dont sit/stand in that area.

It is a positive change as the atmosphere has been in decline for years (probably because of the grumpy sods eating balti pies, sitting down at the back of the kop). It also solves the issue with SAG and standing in that area which led to it being closed for a while.

Ok not 28k currently, but they have a choice of 3 upgrades. And as I said, I hope the club see this as an inconvenience for some people and allow them to switch for free, or offering other incentives like a hospitality day etc.

 

[Broomhall Blade]

Vegetarian options to throw available also.

I would have thought our Vegetarians would be a bit more considerate.
It's the Balti pie eaters that will be the problem trust me.