email from club - NO MORE TICKETS ON SALE IN KOP - standing & wrong seat usage

[Bert]

This is why the section of people standing needs to expand, so everyone wanting to stand up can buy a seat rather than cram into the standing section which is evidently too small as I've now said many times

Because people nearby are sitting in the standing section?

What twats.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Well clearly not everyone is “already standing” otherwise you wouldn’t be chuntering
Has it crossed your mind that some folk may not be physically able to stand for any duration ?

Some find it hard to sit in cramped areas for any duration too.

 

[FB98]

The suggestion was to basically ask fans if they wanted to stand, in so many words. We'd get closed down.

Obviously, fans stand in every ground. But there's a difference between 'wave' standing (when something exciting is happening) and standing up for the whole game.

Most grounds have huge areas where people stand all game.
Leeds have 2 stands plus corners
Liverpool KOP
Chelsea 2 stands
Cardiff full stand
Boro full stand
Derby full stand
Hull full stand
Man United full stand
Wolves full stand
To name just a few off the top of my head. There is loads more but apparently we can't even have 8 rows.
That's before you mention every single away end in the country

 

[Rodley]

There were 30,000 at the Lane on Saturday. With all of the seats we've netted off, that's an effective sell-out. But it also means the club have sold thousands of restricted view tickets on the Kop - at the same price as normal tickets - which are literally behind a massive pole. So it makes sense that people don't fancy paying £32 to sit behind a pole. I don't blame them for that. It's the club's fault for treating these ridiculously shit seats like normal tickets. That is probably a big reason for the overcrowding at the back.

So now we have this overcrowding issue at the back of the Kop. People have gone and stood at the back of the Kop for a as long as I can remember, but plenty on here saying it has gotten worse in the last few seasons. OK.

But the club approached this by employing unexplained ticket checks at the back of Gangways H and G (?). There were reports from fans of aggressive, heavy-handed bouncers trying to turf them out of their seat. Again, the club never explained their approach publicly, just went about it in this underhanded, ineffective, cackhanded way. As others have said, it did absolutely nothing to address the situation and just riled fans up.

Now they're saying the Kop might be closed off of it continues. And now they have chosen - not been forced - CHOSEN not to sell tickets there. Rather than introducing an effective police presence and strict ticket checks, they've now backed themselves into a corner with their ridiculous approach to - in my mind - something which is NOT a major security or safety issue. It is easily fixed by employing the measures I just mentioned.

They've now riled fans up even more and are going to be losing hundreds of thousands of pounds a week in the process.

Of course, the incredibly obvious solution to all of this is to introduce a safe standing area at the back of the Kop. Fans would be allocated a ticket IN THAT AREA (no specific seat) and your overcrowding/standing issues disappear overnight.

But the club have shown absolutely no appetite towards safe standing. It seems they're not even entertaining the idea. We're now in a tiny minority of clubs in the country who haven't approached safe standing with an open mind and won't even conduct a feasibility study, for example.

Almost every aspect of this situation has been caused by backwards, head in the sand thinking from the bunch of absolute incompetents that run our club and council. The atmosphere in the ground is absolutely dreadful, it's getting worse and the club are now actively employing measures that will make it even worse. Idiots, idiots, idiots.

It’s been badly communicated to the people who sit on the Kop by the club - I’ve had nothing through. That said, the club will have their hands tied. The area is mostly STers and I suspect people are moving to stand there as they want to contribute to the atmosphere and don’t want to block peoples views further down the stand.

With ref. to rail seating (“safe standing”), it allocates you a seat. The section would be all ticket. It’s the answer as people moving to stand at the back of the Kop shows there’s demonstrable demand for it.

 

[Angef1Blade]

And what about the old fella a few seats along with the smallest, weakest of bladders getting up for a piss every 5 minutes? We all have to stand up and let him pass.

And one day you'll probs. find yourself as an old fella with the smallest, weakest of bladders getting up for a piss every 5 minutes & hopefully everyone will standup to let you pass

 

[Proper Blade]

Does anyone know who would be the best person at the club to contact about this?

 

[Moan? Nope-I saw Longhorn]

They are in my section? But clearly this section needs to expand so everyone can have a space who wants to stand up.

Yes, that has crossed my mind. I would suggest these people don't sit in the back 10 rows of the KOP & choose one of the other 33000 seats. I wouldn't buy on the front row of the John Street & stand up.
It's common sense really.

Has it also “crossed your mind” that (some of) those stood (in solidarity) with the choir don’t actually wish to stand but are obliged to do so by you @ your ilk ?
Not sure if your (15/17 strong) ‘crew’ go away?
- plenty of folk that do so are compelled to stand against their wishes because plums are unable to co-ordinate sitting & singing

I’ve learned a fundamental flaw with citing “common sense” is that sense isn’t that common
If it were, you (x15 +) would sit down ‘sing your hearts out for the lads’ allow the club to maximise ticket sales without ‘fear’ of the “KOP” (unsure why you chose to capitalise the word) being closed

 

[Moan? Nope-I saw Longhorn]

Some find it hard to sit in cramped areas for any duration too.

It would appear that you are a prime candidate to be ‘put out to grass’ in the South Stand?

 

[FB98]

Has it also “crossed your mind” that (some of) those stood (in solidarity) with the choir don’t actually wish to stand but are obliged to do so by you @ your ilk ?
Not sure if your (15/17 strong) ‘crew’ go away?
- plenty of folk that do so are compelled to stand against their wishes because plums are unable to co-ordinate sitting & singing

I’ve learned a fundamental flaw with citing “common sense” is that sense isn’t that common
If it were, you (x15 +) would sit down ‘sing your hearts out for the lads’ allow the club to maximise ticket sales without ‘fear’ of the “KOP” (unsure why you chose to capitalise the word) being closed

No, that hasn't crossed my mind being as people stand up a long way infront of us & because if anyone wanted to sit down they could very simply buy a seat in the 95% of the ground that always sits down. It's very simple. Don't buy a ticket in the small section that stands up if you would like to sit down.

 

[ThatJa]

Standing at the back of the kop has been happening for years and years, why only now are those people that stand creating a dangerous environment?

I think, at the back of the kop, providing you are standing at your seat and only your seat, it should be fine.

 

[robbiez666]

Most grounds have huge areas where people stand all game.
Leeds have 2 stands plus corners
Liverpool KOP
Chelsea 2 stands
Cardiff full stand
Boro full stand
Derby full stand
Hull full stand
Man United full stand
Wolves full stand
To name just a few off the top of my head. There is loads more but apparently we can't even have 8 rows.
That's before you mention every single away end in the country

You surely accept though, if people complain about it to those who grant the club a licence to operate, they're duty bound to do something about it? Or risk losing that licence?

 

[FB98]

You surely accept though, if people complain about it to those who grant the club a licence to operate, they're duty bound to do something about it? Or risk losing that licence?

I do yes. Something has to be done to accommodate those who stand & make an atmosphere though, whether that's introducing a bigger official section or otherwise. I'd also be questioning why it's accepted on huge scale at alot of other clubs & on small scale at literally every single club & every single away end.

 

[sheepbridge]

Most grounds have huge areas where people stand all game.
Leeds have 2 stands plus corners
Liverpool KOP
Chelsea 2 stands
Cardiff full stand
Boro full stand
Derby full stand
Hull full stand
Man United full stand
Wolves full stand
To name just a few off the top of my head. There is loads more but apparently we can't even have 8 rows.
That's before you mention every single away end in the country

I’m not condoning it or saying they should be, as has been said we do it away every game, but there is a massive difference between a whole stand doing it with most of the fans in their allocated seats versus a relatively large number of fans taking over an area they shouldn’t be in and that isn’t big enough causing over-crowding and aggravation with those who have bought seats in that area. That is bound to draw the attention of the licensing authority at some point, especially in Sheffield.

 

[FB98]

I’m not condoning it or saying they should be, as has been said we do it away every game, but there is a massive difference between a whole stand doing it with most of the fans in their allocated seats versus a relatively large number of fans taking over an area they shouldn’t be in and that isn’t big enough causing over-crowding and aggravation with those who have bought seats in that area. That is bound to draw the attention of the licensing authority at some point, especially in Sheffield.

Agreed. So the club need to help make it bigger.

 

[Sean Thornton]

We're definitely the only solution to the atmosphere problem. That much is for sure

Playing Devils advocate here but the if the atmosphere is shit you aren’t doing much of a job. When the atmosphere does pick up, it’s the quiet element that get roused. The majority whilst sat down.

This is why the section of people standing needs to expand, so everyone wanting to stand up can buy a seat rather than cram into the standing section which is evidently too small as I've now said many times

We don’t have a stranding section to expand. The law trumps your desires.

 

[FB98]

Playing Devils advocate here but the if the atmosphere is shit you aren’t doing much of a job. When the atmosphere does pick up, it’s the quiet element that get roused. The majority whilst sat down.


We don’t have a stranding section to expand. The law trumps your desires.

Well every other club manages whilst defying the law.

 

[Proper Blade]

Another big issue in all of this is the total lack of communication between the club and the fans.

For example, when Stand United did a survey to find out the fans' opinions on safe standing, it turned out an overwhelmingly majority supported it. OK, it's not a scientific survey, but certainly gives you an idea of the extent of support for safe standing.

But what do the club do? Nothing. Ignore it. Don't listen to the fans. Don't even entertain the possibility of safe standing. Refuse to support it or even look into it. Liverpool are more open-minded towards it than SUFC, and 97 of their fans were crushed to death whilst standing. That's how closed minded the club are.

It's the same issue with this overcrowding. Why didn't they communicate this to the fans before? Why didn't they warn them there would be ticket checks? Why didn't they explain why they were doing it? Instead they sent a bunch of clueless stewards and aggressive bouncers up there, totally unexplained. And all it did was rile fans up and did nothing to fix the problem. Nothing.

Their total refusal to enter into any kind of dialogue with the supporters is causing these issues. They don't listen, they don't care. They are utterly incompetent.

 

[Sean Thornton]

There were 30,000 at the Lane on Saturday. With all of the seats we've netted off, that's an effective sell-out. But it also means the club have sold thousands of restricted view tickets on the Kop - at the same price as normal tickets - which are literally behind a massive pole. So it makes sense that people don't fancy paying £32 to sit behind a pole. I don't blame them for that. It's the club's fault for treating these ridiculously shit seats like normal tickets. That is probably a big reason for the overcrowding at the back.

So now we have this overcrowding issue at the back of the Kop. People have gone and stood at the back of the Kop for a as long as I can remember, but plenty on here saying it has gotten worse in the last few seasons. OK.

But the club approached this by employing unexplained ticket checks at the back of Gangways H and G (?). There were reports from fans of aggressive, heavy-handed bouncers trying to turf them out of their seat. Again, the club never explained their approach publicly, just went about it in this underhanded, ineffective, cackhanded way. As others have said, it did absolutely nothing to address the situation and just riled fans up.

Now they're saying the Kop might be closed off of it continues. And now they have chosen - not been forced - CHOSEN not to sell tickets there. Rather than introducing an effective police presence and strict ticket checks, they've now backed themselves into a corner with their ridiculous approach to - in my mind - something which is NOT a major security or safety issue. It is easily fixed by employing the measures I just mentioned.

They've now riled fans up even more and are going to be losing hundreds of thousands of pounds a week in the process.

Of course, the incredibly obvious solution to all of this is to introduce a safe standing area at the back of the Kop. Fans would be allocated a ticket IN THAT AREA (no specific seat) and your overcrowding/standing issues disappear overnight.

But the club have shown absolutely no appetite towards safe standing. It seems they're not even entertaining the idea. We're now in a tiny minority of clubs in the country who haven't approached safe standing with an open mind and won't even conduct a feasibility study, for example.

Almost every aspect of this situation has been caused by backwards, head in the sand thinking from the bunch of absolute incompetents that run our club and council. The atmosphere in the ground is absolutely dreadful, it's getting worse and the club are now actively employing measures that will make it even worse. Idiots, idiots, idiots.

Two things. 1) There aren’t “thousands” of restricted view tickets. That’s beyond nonsense. 2) THERE IS NO MONEY CURRENTLY FOR GROUND DECVELOPMENT. it’s not hard to grasp.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Well every other club manages whilst defying the law.

What a childish response. This is an SCC matter. Not anywhere else. Do you give any thought to the possibility the council mean business and they seeking to protect income and logistical problems? Having to relocate fans who do respect the terms and conditions that come with their season tickets just because a minority want their own way?

Safe standing will come when it’s financially feasible, not before. Then you’ll be moaning if it’s not exactly where you want it to be.

 

[metalblade]

If people at the back were stood in the place where their seat is there wouldn't be much of a problem the trouble is certain people want to be dickheads and stand where they want even if that is some poor buggers allocated seat. A sign of the times I guess certain people have no respect for anything or anyone it is all me me me.
It is overcrowding that is the main problem, I will say though it has been badly handled by the club who have just upset most fans who use the kop as well as losing match day revenue the club can't really afford to lose. Every week the lane is close to a sell out but due to these measures regulars who pay on the day might not be able to attend which to me is pretty shit and a shabby way to treat loyal fans.
While some bemoan that there is no safe standing do people really think United will put in rail seating at present only to have to possibly remove it when the stand is redeveloped possibly in a few years? Not a chance of rail seating until the kop is modernised or rebuilt.

 

[Harry's Game]

Does anyone know who would be the best person at the club to contact about this?

Lol there is no one at the club running this sort of thing since Rooks retired

 

[AWetFlannel]

Some yoofs buy tickets randomly on the kop but then go up to the back. I know, I've seen it myself. I've had a few mates do it. It's not cool, it's cunt. Don't get me wrong, I love a good random throw around, but it becomes a bit much when it's 3 to a seat.

Let's be clear here, this issue isn't caused by anyone 40+. If it is, it's the odd one that isn't going to add to the problem. This is an issue caused by teens and those in their early 20s, just exposed to ale and probably marching powder.

But for now, sit down, shut up, and do as you're told.

Might be that, as some have already admitted, people that are 40+ have originally stood at the back of the kop without the right tickets, and now some yoof are trying to do the same.

The yoof can't be seen as worse because they got there second. They want to chant and go to the only place that consistently does. We should have sorted a larger standing and singing section ages ago.

 

[FB98]

What a childish response. This is an SCC matter. Not anywhere else. Do you give any thought to the possibility the council mean business and they seeking to protect income and logistical problems? Having to relocate fans who do respect the terms and conditions that come with their season tickets just because a minority want their own way?

Safe standing will come when it’s financially feasible, not before. Then you’ll be moaning if it’s not exactly where you want it to be.

The idea we should all simply sit down & not moan is comical and would absolutely kill the atmosphere in the ground. I attend the games because I enjoy the atmosphere. If I just wanted to watch I'd watch on TV.

 

[Sean Thornton]

Lol there is no one at the club ruining this sort of thing since Rooks retired

I don’t know. Derek Dooley statue could probably correctly explain we don’t have the funds but it’s not going to sink in for a few.

 

[Sean Thornton]

The idea we should all simply sit down & not moan is comical and would absolutely kill the atmosphere in the ground. I attend the games because I enjoy the atmosphere. If I just wanted to watch I'd watch on TV.

Something no one has said. Another childish comment.

Well compared to God knows how many years the atmosphere you lot generate is shit. But you blame others and the club. Maybe too much back patting amongst yourselves.

I see you ignore the point about money though. How as things stand, do we pay for redevelopment of a standing area?

 

[Harry's Game]

Its pretty inevitable what’s going to happen

1. Those who stand at the back of the Kop, who have had a belly full of ale and / or been on the Marching powder are not going to sit down during the Burnley and Rotherham games.

2. There is going to serious trouble between the Stewards and these people if this is attempted to be enforced.

3. When we return after the World Cup the back 8-10 rows of the Kop will be netted off and the people who have season tickets there will be offered new seats around the ground or offered refunds.

4. This area of the Kop will be permanently closed until we get new owners able to afford the cost to fully redevelop this part of the stadium.. as has happened at the Sty already.

I can’t see any other outcome but this.

 

[Sean Thornton]

I'm gonna protest by singing 'Football in a library' from BLUT.

You’ll be sat down though, club killer.

 

[FB98]

Something no one has said. Another childish comment.

Well compared to God knows how many years the atmosphere you lot generate is shit. But you blame others and the club. Maybe too much back patting amongst yourselves.

I see you ignore the point about money though. How as things stand, do we pay for redevelopment of a standing area?

No, the atmosphere the small number of us create is good. Overall the atmosphere is shite because nobody else bothers. How you blame the shit atmosphere on the section that DOES try is beyond me.
Finances are a question of priority but I've stated alternatives to official safe standing rail seats.

 

[Bartleby]

I'm not an advocate of keeping seated during matches, for me if you are at your seat standing to sign/cheer is fine.

what about if the person sat behind you doesn't want to have to stand to see over you?

 

[FB98]

what about if the person sat behind you doesn't want to have to stand to see over you?

Then they should pick one of the 33000 seats that isn't the back 10-15 rows of the KOP. Otherwise known as common sense