Stand Up Sit Down
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Stand Up Sit Down is a UK campaign group which opposes the introduction of all-seater stadia for football matches. Standing areas in U.K football stadiums were made illegal on the recomendation of the 1990 Taylor Report into the Hillsborough disaster. In 1989 96 people were killed in crushing at Hillsborough stadium in Sheffield.
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[edit] Aims
Stand Up Sit Down says its aims are,
"To work with football supporters, clubs and safety authorities, to achieve a common sense solution to the issue of standing, for the benefit of all concerned. To campaign for decisions related to standing to be made in partnership with supporters, and to be based on objective safety assessments, but whilst maintaining a balance between safety and individual freedom. To agree areas where standing can be permitted without significant safety risks, and wherever possible to provide supporters with a choice as to whether they may stand or sit. To seek agreement that passive standing in front of allocated seats will be accepted in designated areas, for at least for trial period, subject to supporters adhering to a code of conduct. To ensure that those supporters who do not wish to stand, will be able to sit in designated areas, in the knowledge that their view will not be blocked by other spectators persistently standing."
[edit] Background and History
Since the advent of all seated stadia, some supporters at most clubs have continued to stand for all of, or parts of matches. The numbers who stand varies according to the club and fixture, from a handful to virtually the whole crowd, and the proportion tends to be higher amongst clubs thought of as having more passionate fans, and amongst away supporters.
Standing in seated areas is contrary to the ground regulations which clubs are required to impose by League authorities, and the Football Licensing Authority (FLA) and some Local Authorities try to prevent persistent standing. The issue can cause cause conflict with stewards, and discontent among supporters. It has safety and customer care implications and regardless of their preference to sit or stand, some supporters are unhappy with the current situation.
Since its inception in July 2004, Stand Up Sit Down's membership has grown to over 5000 members, covering every club in England, Wales and Scotland. Its membership age ranges from 11 to 70 and is composed of people who not only want to stand, but also those who want to sit, but support freedom of choice. The online petition on the website has also been signed by over 7000 people.
[edit] Safety
The main reason why authorities will not allow supporters to stand is because they believe it poses a safety risk. Stand Up Sit Down, however argue that their proposals would be safer than the current system.
Some of the risk from standing is dependent on the design and in particular gradient of a stand. It is considerably greater in steep upper tiers than in shallow single or lower tiers. Currently supporters stand in all types of area, regardless of the gradient or tier and the risk that this may cause. Away supporters often have no choice as to which area of the ground they occupy, and if allocated an upper tier will often stand regardless of the possible risk.
SUSD’s proposals would allocate the most suitable area or areas of each ground for standing. These would be lower or single tiers, so by moving spectators who may stand from other more hazardous areas, the safety risk could be reduced.
Whilst covering a wide age range and both sexes, those supporters who wish to stand are often the more vocal and passionate fans. Consequently they are inclined to be more exuberant in their goal celebrations and therefore at greatest risk of falling. By putting these supporters in the least steep areas and not upper tiers, they would be at less risk of falls, injuries and a possible cascade effect. SUSD’s proposals would therefore improve safety at moments of excitement.
The FLA considers that supporters are at greater risk of injury if they start a goal celebration from a standing rather than seated position. One of the reasons they gave for this is that supporters sit with their feet flat on the ground, and are less likely to fall and start a cascade effect than if they jump up from standing. However many supporters rise in the build up to a goal, so are already standing by the time the ball hits the net.
SUSD supporters make the point that jumping from their seat can cause collisions with either seats or other supporters. Indeed many supporters commented that they had received minor injuries as a result of such collisions. SUSD’s proposals would improve safety because those supporters likely to celebrate goals in the most active manner, would already be standing, so less likely to be injured from collisions.
Under SUSD’s proposals the provision of a standing area would be dependent on supporters complying with a Code of Conduct covering matters such as keeping exit routs clear, standing only in front of allocated seats, and maintaining generally acceptable behaviour. Supporters would know that failure to comply with these rules would result in the loss of the right to stand, and it is believed that this would result in a degree of self regulation that would have benefits for both safety and behaviour.
[edit] Customer care and crowd control
There is an argument that allowing supporters to stand will lead to crowd trouble. Currently every week thousands of supporters stand in front of their seats, and this does not result in disorder. Seats are allocated and if necessary individual supporters can easily be monitored by police or stewards as they stand in front of these.
A change in the culture of football supporters started prior to all seater stadia, and regardless of whether supporters sit or stand (in seated areas or terraces), incidents within grounds are now rare. Permitting standing in designated areas would remove conflict between supporters and stewards, and in doing so improve the relationship between them.
It is of course, reasonable for a spectator to expect that they will be able to see the game whilst sitting in the seat that they have paid for and not have their view blocked by others standing in front. People who want to sit, supporters of small stature, children, and those who for whatever reason are unable to stand for long periods should not have their enjoyment spoiled by others standing.
Those who are unable or prefer not to stand, should not have their view blocked by others, however rather a justification for making all supporters sit, this is a major reason for providing separate areas for everyone to watch the game as they wish. Similarly, unless there are valid safety reasons, those who prefer to stand should be allowed to do so.
Customer care could therefore be best provided by allowing supporters a choice as to how they watch football, as is proposed by SUSD.
[edit] Finance
It is recognised that in modern football finance is very relevant and the cost implications of the current situation and proposed solution should be considered.
Some supporters may have stopped attending because of the reduced atmosphere caused by all seated stadia, or because they want to stand, and in some cases because they have been banned for persistent standing. SUSD claim they have a solution to bring them back.
Reducing conflict between supporters and stewards may mean that cost savings could be made by a reduction in the number of stewards or police.
Implementation of SUSD’s proposals could therefore have a positive financial impact on football clubs.
[edit] Fans Opinions
In 2005 the Football Fans Census ran a survey to find fans views on the matter of standing up at football matches [citation needed], the results they found were:
In terms of choice a resounding 91% of respondents felt fans should be given the freedom to choose whether they stand in safe-standing areas. Of the respondents 25% felt safe-standing areas should be mandatory. With regard to who has the power to decide, 71% of fans said it should be decentralised and left to the clubs or local authorities with only 10% feeling that the decision should rest with the Government - as is currently the case.
In terms of the match-day experience, 45% would buy a safe-standing ticket all the time if going to a match. More than half of the respondents said the introduction of these areas wouldn't affect crowd trouble or spectator safety. A large majority (81%) felt the existence of safe-standing areas would make their overall match-day experience more enjoyable. Only 1% of fans would go to fewer matches if safe-standing areas were introduced.
To varying degrees, there are difficulties at most clubs because some supporters have a very strong desire to stand, and may block the views of those who prefer to sit.
Until recent years spectators had a choice as to whether they sit or stand. Football is a passionate game, and many supporters prefer to stand, as they feel more involved, and it is more conducive to creating the unique atmosphere of British football. Standing is seen as a major part of football culture.
