Aston Villa considering Safe Standing at Villa Park

**PISKIE** · 17/01/2012, 06:23 PM

I'm a big fan of this idea. It would reduce ticket prices, allow fans who want to stand and sing together to do so, generate better atmosphere, increase capacity, reduce the need and cost (financial and environmental) for new bulild stadiums, retain the character and history of the old grounds and give fans a CHOICE.

For anyone unfamiliar with modern safe standing desgins, check out the Bundasliga, where safe standing has been used for years.

Here's an example:

As you can see, it's one row of standing with option seating, so no crowd surges, no crushing and numbers are regulated in the normal way via ticket sales.

Here's another example:

Retractable seating for UEFA games.

Modern design is a million miles away from the old dilapidated terraces that were dangerous (I know, I stood on them for years)

I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but surely fans should be allowed the choice of whether they want to stand or sit?

Credit to Aston Villa for bringing this idea onto the agenda in the UK - article here : http://www.birminghammail.net/birmin...7319-30138906/

**Yid Vicious** · 17/01/2012, 07:41 PM

Stand up if you hate Arsenal...

Yeah I'd love it if we got safe standing back, there's no good reason that it can't be reintroduced safely.

**Drudeboy** · 17/01/2012, 07:45 PM

the fa being c*nts is one reason...

**PISKIE** · 17/01/2012, 07:50 PM

The FA and the Sports minister rejected the idea out of hand the last time it was raised.

Their response was based on fear for their own reputations and had nothing to do with the proposals at hand.

Very poorly handled.

**robin_van_ fiberglass** · 17/01/2012, 08:18 PM

I want it reintroduced too.

**PGFWhite** · 17/01/2012, 09:13 PM

I'm all for it

**PISKIE** · 17/01/2012, 09:27 PM

Those who are for it should sign the petition on the Football supporters federation website

http://www.fsf.org.uk/petitions/safestanding.php

**Grizzly** · 17/01/2012, 10:45 PM

Piskie - if the space allocated for one person standing is the same as one person sitting how will this reduce ticket prices when it will have no impact on capacity ?

**Samurai** · 17/01/2012, 10:46 PM

Originally Posted by Grizzly

Piskie - if the space allocated for one person standing is the same as one person sitting how will this reduce ticket prices when it will have no impact on capacity ?

Maybe the lack of the seat means you can charge less, ie say you developed a new stadium with half sitting half standing, the standing would be cheaper because you wouldn't have to pay for the seat, etc.

**Grizzly** · 17/01/2012, 10:51 PM

Originally Posted by SamuraisShadow

Maybe the lack of the seat means you can charge less, ie say you developed a new stadium with half sitting half standing, the standing would be cheaper because you wouldn't have to pay for the seat, etc.

I can see the slightly reduced fit out costs, but I don't see any club passing on the opportunity to charge £50 for the sake a a few quid extra at construction stage - if standing increased capacity by 25% throughout the ground then I can see a 10-20% reduced ticket price for standing

**Larry-AV** · 18/01/2012, 02:26 AM

The Bundesliga style safe terracing would satisfy the wish of football fans to stand at matches whilst meeting safety concerns.
The only problem (apart from politicians) is the physical one of the terrace angle at grounds. Each ground is unique, so if Safe Terracing was allowed, I do not think it would be introduced at all grounds due to rebuilding costs.

**PISKIE** · 18/01/2012, 08:48 AM

Originally Posted by Grizzly

Piskie - if the space allocated for one person standing is the same as one person sitting how will this reduce ticket prices when it will have no impact on capacity ?

I think the design of optional seating terraces take up less room per seat than a traditional all seated stand. So capacity could increase and tickets could be made cheaper for those who want to stand.