Fans who "prefer" to stand in seating areas

[Fulwood Blade]

I'd like to put a slightly different twist on the situation yesterday in the away end at Oldham.

Me and my boy were on the front row - well the actual front row was cordoned off all the way along the front with tarpaulin and attached to the barriers at the front - we're on the fans zone cam btw......going a bit bonkers when we scored.

My point is - evacuation of the stand - if it was needed.

Surely the ground safety people calculate fan evacuation which takes into account getting out quickly over the front railings as well as normal exits.

The tarpaulin made that virtually impossible - now I know why it's there to stop fans jumping over if we scored - but in the case of an emergency, it would have been impossible to do this quickly.

As for the opening post - both me and my nipper are over 6 foot tall and we did the right thing by sitting down - problem is: could see fuck all at pitch level - I normally hate it, but by booking tickets on line, you don't get an option. As for safe standing - can't see the problem - but I think once the safe standing areas are all sold out, others would still stand up regardless.

Takes me back to lower tire at Wembley v Huddersfield........Blades fighting Blades about standing up - it's just daft. Mob rule seems to get it's way and as usual, "authorities" haven't got a clue what to do. Sorry, sitting should mean sitting.

UTB

 

[sheffielder]

I was on the backrow yesterday and on the row infront was a young lad aged probably around 7/8 with his dad stood on his chair, and he was loving it. I have dreams of these moments in a few years time, however do understand that it won't suit anyone. As Linz says, it's a shame these tickets are not 'sorted' before purchase because a lot of the really young kids are there to be with their mum or dad for the experience.

I think it's something we should bring up with our liason officer as an improvement, because next year will only get worse.

 

[Northyorksblade]

They could've asked to just swap places with those in front of them so that they could sit down? I will always stand at an away game regardless of who is behind me. It's football. If they want to swap places then that's fine by me, but if not then don't complain

No point me swapping places with those stood in the aisle, I'd still have had to stand.

 

[SwissBlade]

There isn't a single argument for not allowing standing areas that can't be blown apart in seconds.

But idiocy prevails in English football. Which is why it's been overtaken by most other major footballing countries in every sense of the word.

Nonsense. Lets not keep using European football as to why football in England is shite.

Europeans use the Euro, doesn't mean it'll work in the UK.
Europeans are able to go out at night and not get completely shitfaced just because the pub/ bar is open. We Brits can't
Europeans (some) can drive properly on motorways, doesn't mean we can

 

[Tyler Durden]

Nonsense. Lets not keep using European football as to why football in England is shite.

Europeans use the Euro, doesn't mean it'll work in the UK.
Europeans are able to go out at night and not get completely shitfaced just because the pub/ bar is open. We Brits can't
Europeans (some) can drive properly on motorways, doesn't mean we can

Straight from the BTL school of logical reasoning....

Were talking about legislation to allow standing areas as watching football is inherently and naturally a standing pursuit. It's not some vast cultural shift.

 

[SwissBlade]

Straight from the BTL school of logical reasoning....

I don't know what BTL is

I just don't subscribe to this whole reasoning of looking at the neighbours and using that as a justification for doing or not doing something. We have our own unique characteristics.

 

[Tyler Durden]

I don't know what BTL is

I just don't subscribe to this whole reasoning of looking at the neighbours and using that as a justification for doing or not doing something. We have our own unique characteristics.

See the extended part of my reply.

 

[SB_90]

I remember having this problem at old trafford but at the opposite end of the scale. With an 70/80 yr old Having to stand because of same issues. & i ended up moving seats so he could sit down

Cracking down on standing is wrong & impossible. Now i mentioned this to united in a survey last season that ive no idea how practical or logistically possible it is but i would allow standing & spilt stand into standing top/ sitting bottom for tickets bit like how the kop has done organically. If you are a stander towards the back as i like the standing area that other mentions & if you like to sit towards the front

 

[SwissBlade]

See the extended part of my reply.

You mean the edited part, which wasn't there when i replied

Straight from the BTL school of logical reasoning....

Were talking about legislation to allow standing areas as watching football is inherently and naturally a standing pursuit. It's not some vast cultural shift.

I think the cultural part is the biggest part. Football culture in England is still has deep rooted problems with misbehaving and drinking, until those two factors are removed, you'll never truly be able to declare that standing is safe. Seating is not safe in this respect either, but its more controllable.

The other matter is that if SUFC spunked money on changing a part of the ground to become 'safe standing' and then it attracted idiots, only for it to be closed down (lets not forget that H Block on South Stand has only recently been reopened), the club would lose revenues and have an area of the ground which was empty.

As we had fans taking smoke bombs to Oldham, i'd say that the measures aren't in place to either self police or police our fans properly.

Plus where would the lad sleeping at Oldham have slept if he was standing

 

[Sean Thornton]

This isn't something that's just happened though, just looks like someone's only just come across it.

 

[Ricky]

This is the one thing I'm not looking forward to in the Championship.

We had it before and I expect the sitting/standing thing to rear its ugly head again.

It's actually been more straightforward while we've been in L1.

 

[Tyler Durden]

You mean the edited part, which wasn't there when i replied



I think the cultural part is the biggest part. Football culture in England is still has deep rooted problems with misbehaving and drinking, until those two factors are removed, you'll never truly be able to declare that standing is safe. Seating is not safe in this respect either, but its more controllable.

The other matter is that if SUFC spunked money on changing a part of the ground to become 'safe standing' and then it attracted idiots, only for it to be closed down (lets not forget that H Block on South Stand has only recently been reopened), the club would lose revenues and have an area of the ground which was empty.

As we had fans taking smoke bombs to Oldham, i'd say that the measures aren't in place to either self police or police our fans properly.

Plus where would the lad sleeping at Oldham have slept if he was standing

Rail seating is no less controllable than the seating in place now. What it does however, is allow people to watch the match without such tensions over standing in seated areas arising.

Standing doesn't automatically pre-dispose you to bad behaviour. I've stood at every single away match this season because I've been fortunate to be around those doing the same (the majority stand actually), I've also been on old terracing without any hint of trouble. A sensible approach to the matter would ensure that everyone has the freedom to excercise their preferences whether that be standing or sitting. It's really not a big ask.

 

[TarquinDelouche]

Straight from the BTL school of logical reasoning....

Were talking about legislation to allow standing areas as watching football is inherently and naturally a standing pursuit. It's not some vast cultural shift.

When you're watching a match at home, do you stand up the whole time? Do you buggery.

If Elton John can sit and sing for a couple of hours and create a decent atmosphere, I'm sure you lot can.

 

[SteveBlade]

Let's be r8, it's simply a dickhead problem.

If someone elderly, unable to stand for long periods, young so can't see or whatever is behind you and they ask you to sit down, you either do or you swap seats, if the latter is actually a problem solver.

You just do because it's the non dickhead thing to do.

Unfortunately there's lots of dickheads about, so it's never getting solved, like many of the world's dickhead related problems.

 

[Tyler Durden]

When you're watching a match at home, do you stand up the whole time? Do you buggery.

If Elton John can sit and sing for a couple of hours and create a decent atmosphere, I'm sure you lot can.

Well you could put a piano in front of every seat, thereby vastly reducing the capacity.

Or you can put a few rail seats in....

 

[Ricky]

1000 points for the first person to post an example of a loud and passionate atmosphere being created by football fans sitting down...

 

[Rodley]

Just implement safe standing. I wouldn't use it all the time but don't begrudge people using it. They just need to get on with it.

 

[Rodley]

It's easy to start a chant sat down.....




















.......said no one ever.

 

[Bladesway]

Straight from the BTL school of logical reasoning....

Were talking about legislation to allow standing areas as watching football is inherently and naturally a standing pursuit. It's not some vast cultural shift.

If i am getting this right Swizzlers point is we don't think not being able to stand at football matches is the reason we are miles behind the rest of the world when it comes to how good we are at it. I agree

Also, the tone of this thread (not TD in particular) is saddening in broader terms. Appears there is a feeling that because being seated is akin to being told you have cancer in the "really deflating" terms then it is ok to fuck others off and stand anyway. Society really does seem to be heading to the gutter via "I'm alright, fuck you" attitude of some.

The problem lies not in the fact that someone is asking yiu to sit down (as is their right) but in the fact that the law needs changing to reflect we need standing areas. If someone asks you to sit down so long as it is politely done then you should, as should the bloke in front etc. All this swapping seats bollocks just shows people up for what they are, selfish.

Why should someone who cannot stand for 90 minutes be penalised when they havent in fact done anything wrong?

 

[Ricky]

Just implement safe standing. I wouldn't use it all the time but don't begrudge people using it. They just need to get on with it.

They really do.

A whole generation of football fans have missed out on terracing and everything that goes with it for no reason whatsoever.

Just think of anyone who was around 15-20 years old when all seaters came in. They'll be getting towards 50 soon, and what's generally the most 'active' period of being a football supporter will be over.

But I'm sure the authorities will carry on dragging their heels for no reason at all. They're probably just waiting to see if old football culture can be killed off completely and with it any discontent with the current all seater situation.

 

[Ricky]

All this swapping seats bollocks just shows people up for what they are, selfish.

It's not selfish to offer to swap seats if having to sit down at an away game ruins your own day.

 

[Bladesway]

It's not selfish to offer to swap seats if having to sit down at an away game ruins your own day.

Ruins your day? Going to a ground where you bought a ticket knowing you should be sitting down. Sounds to me like you are setting yourself up to have your day ruined in any case. The expectation should be that you sit down given that is the law for every club in the league.

Its a bit like doing 120 down the M1 and being upset when you get pulled over by the fuzz.

 

[Tyler Durden]

If i am getting this right Swizzlers point is we don't think not being able to stand at football matches is the reason we are miles behind the rest of the world when it comes to how good we are at it. I agree

Also, the tone of this thread (not TD in particular) is saddening in broader terms. Appears there is a feeling that because being seated is akin to being told you have cancer in the "really deflating" terms then it is ok to fuck others off and stand anyway. Society really does seem to be heading to the gutter via "I'm alright, fuck you" attitude of some.

The problem lies not in the fact that someone is asking yiu to sit down (as is their right) but in the fact that the law needs changing to reflect we need standing areas. If someone asks you to sit down so long as it is politely done then you should, as should the bloke in front etc. All this swapping seats bollocks just shows people up for what they are, selfish.

Why should someone who cannot stand for 90 minutes be penalised when they havent in fact done anything wrong?

I agree with all of that actually. If you bullishly persist in standing up in an area where the overwhelming majority are seated then you're an ignorant arsehole, no arguments there.

This is why having the option to stand safely alongside being able to sit unhindered if your personal circumstances/preferences dictate it is the sensible way to go. Standing is never going to be eradicated from the game and nor should it be. So accomodate it properly and everyone is happy.

 

[Living In a Fantasy World]

Pretty sickening reading some of these comments, alot of ignorant bullys on here, who could only care about there own exprience.
That complete prick who set of that flare should be band for life, I could hardly breath for 3 minutes, god forbid if some one had any sort of breathing condition. You got to feel for the youngens, stewards should be forcing people to sit or kicking them out, it is unsafe standing in a seated area because there isn't the right "support" in place, you may feel "safe" doesn't mean the people behind are!
and I'm all for safe standing btw!

 

[Bladesway]

I agree with all of that actually. If you bullishly persist in standing up in an area where the overwhelming majority are seated then you're an ignorant arsehole, no arguments there.

This is why having the option to stand safely alongside being able to sit unhindered if your personal circumstances/preferences dictate it is the sensible way to go. Standing is never going to be eradicated from the game and nor should it be. So accomodate it properly and everyone is happy.

We agree. I wasnt picking your post up in particular for my wider point, I was just too lazy to post again!

 

[Rodley]

Ruins your day? Going to a ground where you bought a ticket knowing you should be sitting down. Sounds to me like you are setting yourself up to have your day ruined in any case. The expectation should be that you sit down given that is the law for every club in the league.

Its a bit like doing 120 down the M1 and being upset when you get pulled over by the fuzz.

Going to an away match you're likely to be standing up. That's my expectation. Has been for 30 years.

 

[Bladesway]

Going to an away match you're likely to be standing up. That's my expectation. Has been for 30 years.

I know it is but it isn't the law. Hence my point. I far prefer standing but if someone ever asked me to sit down or if the people behind were sat down i would do the same. Remember being seated away at such venues as Port Vale when we scored a last minute winner about 20 years ago, dont think i walked away thinking my day had been ruined because i sat down.

I also prefer doing 120 down the M1 but I dont expect to be able to do it. My point is that the law needs changing on standing, but castigating people who want to sit at football ("might as well watch it on the TV") isn't the answer. The people sat are not the people in the wrong here.

 

[Tyler Durden]

Going to an away match you're likely to be standing up. That's my expectation. Has been for 30 years.

If you go on say the back of the Kop at the Lane then go to most away games it's actually possible to go through a whole season without your arse ever having touched a seat.

Therefore all that the post 1991 legislation has done is needlessly annoy people. Because at the heart of it, it was never about safety, it was about control.

 

[Sharrow Snuff Mill]

They could've asked to just swap places with those in front of them so that they could sit down? I will always stand at an away game regardless of who is behind me. It's football. If they want to swap places then that's fine by me, but if not then don't complain

I shall look forward to the day when you are unable to stand for the duration of a game to see if you change your opinion. What is needed, as most of us know, is designated standing areas. Those who wish to be seated, through choice or necessity, should be able to do so, and should be able to see the play. Until standing areas are re-introduced this is very unlikely to happen. What clubs should take seriously is the blocking of gangways by those who won`t even go to their designated seating place to stand to watch the game. These selfish individuals need slinging out if they continue to carry on after being requested to leave the gangways clear by stewards.

 

[1973Blade]

The rudeness and selfishness of people never fails to amaze me. A child couldn't see the game, of course he should have respected that and sat down. No debate. But no, man-baby insists he wants to stand so man-baby must get his way. Otherwise it will be tears before bedtime. Pathetic.