Safe Standing and Atmosphere

[reedy63]

I was a season ticket holder in row AF, back row near gangway F. I never sat in my seat; I had to stand because everyone else stood up. However, it worsened with people standing on the steps leading to the rows. I still go to every home game, but with safe standing at the top third of the Kop. I think there will be problems for the first few games, people moving to other seat or stands until it gets sorted. I will not be going on the Kop again decided to sit at the back of Bramall Lane upper. It's a reght view.
The atmosphere won't be as good as the Kop. But I don't mind that at my age, 66, so I don't sing, don't eat worthers either. The other good thing is that I can have a couple of pints in the Cricketers before the game.

 

[ISZA ⚔️]

Any photos of how it looks?

 

[Stand United]

Any photos of how it looks?

See below. If you head to this evening’s game for SUFC Women this evening you can get a view from the John Street Stand. Alternatively, Kop STHs can go and take a look at the actual area on Monday or Thursday next week (details in the email that went out from the club).

View attachment 221099

 

[JEDMBlade]

See below. If you head to this evening’s game for SUFC Women this evening you can get a view from the John Street Stand. Alternatively, Kop STHs can go and take a look at the actual area on Monday or Thursday next week (details in the email that went out from the club).

I’d emailed the club as unable to attend Mon or Thurs due to work and childcare issues. I had asked why the deadline about deciding whether to move or not was prior to the Charlton game? I thought it would make more sense for those in affected areas to see if it was practical - as I’m on QQ with two boys under 8 I wanted to see if it actually affected us. Those in front NN OO PP might not actually be those that stand. Yet to get a reply.

 

[General Jase]

I’d emailed the club as unable to attend Mon or Thurs due to work and childcare issues. I had asked why the deadline about deciding whether to move or not was prior to the Charlton game? I thought it would make more sense for those in affected areas to see if it was practical - as I’m on QQ with two boys under 8 I wanted to see if it actually affected us. Those in front NN OO PP might not actually be those that stand. Yet to get a reply.

I'm similar as you but not emailed yet.
I don't live in Sheffield, and I work full time so I cant just pop down to have a look on a Monday or Thursday, and I'm sure there are loads in the same boat

 

[JEDMBlade]

I'm similar as you but not emailed yet.
I don't live in Sheffield, and I work full time so I cant just pop down to have a look on a Monday or Thursday, and I'm sure there are loads in the same boat

I just think it’s a sensible approach, not sure it really should impact club too much

 

[BarcaBlade]

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.

Surely you'd also have to ask people who are not in the proposed area because they might want to move there, and so on and so on. Waste of time and resources.
What happens if they contacted you and you said you didn't want to stand and didn't want to move? Ultimately, you'll be told you need to be prepared to move.

Those who want to sit will have the option of relocating. There needs to be compromise. My prediction is that the demand for standing will grow so if you want to sit into the next decades, move significantly further forward.

 

[Valley Blade]

Surely you'd also have to ask people who are not in the proposed area because they might want to move there, and so on and so on. Waste of time and resources.
What happens if they contacted you and you said you didn't want to stand and didn't want to move? Ultimately, you'll be told you need to be prepared to move.

Those who want to sit will have the option of relocating. There needs to be compromise. My prediction is that the demand for standing will grow so if you want to sit into the next decades, move significantly further forward.

Why does there need to be compromise? I am having something imposed on me i dont want, didn't vote for and certainly didn't pay for, by people i didn't ask for.

 

[reedy63]

If you have your seats in the now safe standing area and go with your young 'uns, they have no chance of seeing the game, you will have to move elsewhere. I have moved to Bramall Lane Upper. Great view. Over 2k seats available, I am sure you can take the young uns in that stand. Of course you can go to the other stands or towards the front of the Kop. This safe standing area is just a long metal bar just put in front of the seat in front, in other words, done on the cheap, like when they changed the Kop to seats. It needs rebuilding, but don't hold your breath waiting.

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Wot no photos

I could be wrong, but those rails look a bit low to me. I’m 6’2 and I could probably rest my bollocks on them…Isn’t “safe standing” supposed to prevent falling forward.

 

[TJB.]

I could be wrong, but those rails look a bit low to me. I’m 6’2 and I could probably rest my bollocks on them…Isn’t “safe standing” supposed to prevent falling forward.

Unless you're so tall that the rail comes up to your shins I think you'll be fine.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

I could be wrong, but those rails look a bit low to me. I’m 6’2 and I could probably rest my bollocks on them…Isn’t “safe standing” supposed to prevent falling forward.

You say that like it's a bad thing...

 

[Maidenhead]

The safe standing at stokes away end was really good and certainly seemed to contribute to the atmosphere. Hopefully we’re doing something similar.

But there was still some twats stood in the first twelve "seated only" rows waving Brazil flags and "X can I have your shirt placards for the entirety of the game.

Twats, the lot of em.

 

[Maidenhead]

I’m two in front of the area! Pleased as I get to sit when those in front do but hopefully get any improvement in atmosphere from behind me.

I'm JJ so personally it doesn't really affect me.

I've been on that row ever since the seats were put in the kop so the club would have got the rounds of the kitchen from me if they had come just a few rows further down.

I feel for those long standing (pun intended) supporters like me that are affected.

 

[ChipButtyBlade]

I could be wrong, but those rails look a bit low to me. I’m 6’2 and I could probably rest my bollocks on them…Isn’t “safe standing” supposed to prevent falling forward.

Cant wait for two fatties to get trapped while trying to pass each other on a row.

 

[Maidenhead]

Who are these people that can’t stand for 90 minutes but are capable of slogging up the stairs for every match?

I'm one of them.
I still go away sometimes, but nowhere near as often as I used to, because I have a fused ankle and arthritic knees.

If I have to stand for the whole game I can barely move at the end of it.

Those grounds where the exit is below my seat are a nightmare because going down steps is particularly difficult.

I've been grateful to many a Blade that's lent me their shoulders in recent times so that I can keep my balance and get my joints working again.

 

[WORKSOPBLADE]

I'm JJ so personally it doesn't really affect me.

I've been on that row ever since the seats were put in the kop so the club would have got the rounds of the kitchen from me if they had come just a few rows further down.

I feel for those long standing (pun intended) supporters like me that are affected.

Agreed.

One chap, on the row behind me, has just died aged 93 a few weeks ago. He was still attending up until early last season.

He would have been on the last “seated” row. Can you imagine if he’d still have been coming but was just slightly further back? He would have had to move . Like you and me he’d been in the same seat since we added seats to the Kop. All the fans around have become know to us over the years and it wouldn’t be the same to move elsewhere!

I’ve kept quiet on this subject and don’t have the answers to the questions/ objections posed. I welcome safe standing and opt for it when available at away games. It definitely helps the atmosphere. However, I want to safeguard my position on the Kop when standing all game won’t suit me due to fitness in future due to age/etc. I got lucky where I sit to retain a seat without railing by two rows! Hope that doesn’t change in future.

I feel for those that need to move and do think the club should’ve highlighted their plans during the summer. They should have offered affected fans the options now being presented regarding moving. Prior to new ST holders in the Summer to maximise choice.

 

[noire]

What would all the moaners be doing in an alternate world where Hillsborough and the Taylor Report never happened and the Kop was always standing only?

The Kop, for all its faults (and I still think it is imperative we plan to knock it down and rebuild one day) should be an atmospheric asset. A huge single tier stand behind the goal. Tottenham spent over a Billion pounds to try and replicate something like this.

 

[FATTYFOULKE]

I was a season ticket holder in row AF, back row near gangway F. I never sat in my seat; I had to stand because everyone else stood up. However, it worsened with people standing on the steps leading to the rows. I still go to every home game, but with safe standing at the top third of the Kop. I think there will be problems for the first few games, people moving to other seat or stands until it gets sorted. I will not be going on the Kop again decided to sit at the back of Bramall Lane upper. It's a reght view.
The atmosphere won't be as good as the Kop. But I don't mind that at my age, 66, so I don't sing, don't eat worthers either. The other good thing is that I can have a couple of pints in the Cricketers before the game.

I sit in the corner bit and you’re right, that stand has the best view on the ground.

I moved from the Kop to the South then to where I am now. IMO the atmosphere on the kop was no different to any other stand. People go on about it like it was unique. It wasn’t and isn’t. The rest of the ground contributes just as much to the atmosphere.

I think you can’t really hear the other stands from the kop. Well news for kop dwellers, we can barely hear you at all from the Lane end, if at all.

 

[BarcaBlade]

Why does there need to be compromise? I am having something imposed on me i dont want, didn't vote for and certainly didn't pay for, by people i didn't ask for.

There always has to be a compromise. If you get your way, other people have to compromise by safe standing not being introduced. Something has to give. I'm not even invested in this one way or the other. I don't go to games as I live in a different country.

I'm wondering why on earth they didn't factor this in before they even started season ticket sales, but even if they had, some would still be unhappy.

 

[FATTYFOULKE]

Why does there need to be compromise? I am having something imposed on me i dont want, didn't vote for and certainly didn't pay for, by people i didn't ask for.

Some people will find it difficult to stand for a full half never mind 90minites. I myself get sciatica down my leg when stood for long periods but otherwise relatively fit. They really haven’t thought this through.

 

[bladesmanluke]

Some people will find it difficult to stand for a full half never mind 90minites. I myself get sciatica down my leg when stood for long periods but otherwise relatively fit. They really haven’t thought this through.

And my knees hurt when forced to sit in a seat on the kop, even for short periods. It's 10% of the stadium capacity and it's in the best possible location for it. Someone was always going to be unhappy no matter what they did

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Phil Collins and Ozzy can sing sitting down…Why can’t we?

 

[I should coco]

Phil Collins and Ozzy can sing sitting down…Why can’t we?

Phil Collins, maybe.

Ozzy, not so much, what with him being a bit dead,

 

[CarlMcBlade]

Phil Collins, maybe.

Ozzy, not so much, what with him being a bit dead,

Yes, if only he could have waited till I’d posted my fatuous remarks.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Phil Collins and Ozzy can sing sitting down…Why can’t we?

Because you can't. Now get to bed and no supper.

 

[jt64]

I’d emailed the club as unable to attend Mon or Thurs due to work and childcare issues. I had asked why the deadline about deciding whether to move or not was prior to the Charlton game? I thought it would make more sense for those in affected areas to see if it was practical - as I’m on QQ with two boys under 8 I wanted to see if it actually affected us. Those in front NN OO PP might not actually be those that stand. Yet to get a reply.

Given you're only talking a small number of rows, could you not try the Charlton game, and then if the kids can't see, just have a word with the first row that is actually standing and seeing if they wanted to come to an unofficial agreement to swap a couple of rows back with yourselves?