Liberal Democrats debate safe standing

[Guy Fawkes]

Liberal Democrats debate safe standing
30th June 2008 - from The Football supporters federation
Encouraging news as it’s came to our attention that the Lib Dems intend to debate safe standing at their conference (follow this link - http://www.libdems.org.uk/media/conference/A08PAbook.pdf to their conference paper, page 23). This means that it could become part of an election campaign. Well how can I have any influence on this you may ask? Easy.

By clicking here Liberal Democrats : LibDems in Your Area you can find the local Lib Dem contact in your area. While we wouldn’t discourage you from writing to your local MP on the issue, should they be Lib Dem or not, it’s worth using the above contact to get in touch with the local party rep as well. This is because it’s these individual members, and not just MPs, who will vote on the issue at their conference. If they know there are votes in it, and the issue is already in their mind, we’ll win them round. This isn’t just us being presumptuous either, we’ve had tip-offs galore from Lib Dem members that it will work if enough people respond.

There’s also an Early Day Motion going through the Houses of Parliament on the matter that almost 100 MPs have signed. Wouldn’t hurt to contact yours and ask if they haven’t signed it, why not? See here UK Parliament - alms for a list of MPs.

On the back of Gerry Sutcliffe’s disappointing comments last week ( The Football Supporters' Federation - FSF stand up to the Sports Minister) around safe standing we at the FSF could point out any number of factors that he hadn’t been taken into account.

None more so than the respected Independent Football Commission’s 2007 report which backed a return to safe standing, as well as recent poll (The Football Supporters' Federation - Nine out of 10 fans believe Premier League is too expensive) we carried out which suggested eight out of every ten fans wanted it. The IFC report even went so far as to suggest that safe standing would improve health and safety figures at matches, something we haven’t seen the anti-standing brigade respond to.

Now we already know our subscribers are an intelligent and discerning bunch, so we’ll let you knock up your own letter to them, should you wish. However, if your busy life doesn’t permit this, feel free to email info@fsf.org.uk and I’m sure we could whack over a template.

 

[BensGrandad]

If we all come under EU rules why is it permitted to stand at matches in Germany, but not in UK.

 

[Chester Drawers]

Hoorah for the Lib Dems ... tried (albeit locally) to ruin one of the loves of my life then are attempt to save the day nationally

 

[Westdene Seagull]

If we all come under EU rules why is it permitted to stand at matches in Germany, but not in UK.

For once it's nothing to do with the EU - just thank the Taylor Report. Compiled by an out of touch judge who probably had never stood at a match in his life.

 

[London Calling]

and UEFA rules for participating in UEFA tournaments, where stadiums are rated by amenities.

 

[Storer68]

For once it's nothing to do with the EU - just thank the Taylor Report. Compiled by an out of touch judge who probably had never stood at a match in his life.

and the 96 who were crushed to death on a terrace at Hillsborough? Why did they die where they did?

Didn't die in the seats did they?

 

[Stinkers Bridge]

and the 96 who were crushed to death on a terrace at Hillsborough? Why did they die where they did?

Didn't die in the seats did they?

Hmmm. Let's not get on this subject.

 

[steward 433]

Hmmm. Let's not get on this subject.

WHY ON EARTH NOT??

 

[Westdene Seagull]

and the 96 who were crushed to death on a terrace at Hillsborough? Why did they die where they did?

Didn't die in the seats did they?

Not wishing to drag the thread down this done to death route BUT they died through, bad stadium management, the fences not allowing them to get to safety and most of all because the police were completely negligent ( closing gates etc ).

 

[steward 433]

Police negligence, Barrier fencing and stands were all three to blame!!

The design of the Leppings lane end was shockingly poor

New properly designed "SAFE" stands and no barriers would have meant no deaths

Edit: Sorry forgot about the padlocked exit gates at the back and in the barrier fence!!

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

There's always safe standing in grounds when you follow the Albion to away matches. There is a partition between fans called seats. Fans should be given the choice to decide whether or not they want to stand up. Everyone stands up at rugby matches so the same should apply to football fans.

 

[Seagull73]

and the 96 who were crushed to death on a terrace at Hillsborough? Why did they die where they did?

Didn't die in the seats did they?

And it was also 19 years ago. Stadia and technology to deal with this subject are greatly advanced compared to then.

 

[steward 433]

There's always safe standing in grounds when you follow the Albion to away matches. There is a partition between fans called seats. Fans should be given the choice to decide whether or not they want to stand up. Everyone stands up at rugby matches so the same should apply to football fans.

Standing inbetween seats isn't safe as the height of the seat is below waist level. This means if one person went over forwards it could mean a domino effect with lots of lower limb injuries.

Albeit safer than a crush but by no means safe

 

[steward 433]

And it was also 19 years ago. Stadia and technology to deal with this subject are greatly advanced compared to then.

The new design of "SAFE" stands is a million times better than it was 20 years ago

 

[Brovion]

and the 96 who were crushed to death on a terrace at Hillsborough? Why did they die where they did?

Didn't die in the seats did they?

That's bollocks though isn't it? You might as well say that the ones who died at Bradford died because they were sitting down. The concept of standing to watch football wasn't responsible for Hillsborough any more than the concept of sitting down to watch football was responsible for Bradford. Both were the fault of the stadiums (and practices) of the day.

Anyway it's only sheep-like fans who sit down when the stewards tell them. At Newcastle away games we stand the whole time.

 

[steward 433]

That's bollocks though isn't it? You might as well say that the ones who died at Bradford died because they were sitting down. The concept of standing to watch football wasn't responsible for Hillsborough any more than the concept of sitting down to watch football was responsible for Bradford. Both were the fault of the stadiums (and practices) of the day.

Anyway it's only sheep-like fans who sit down when the stewards tell them. At Newcastle away games we stand the whole time.

That's all well and good but you would be pissed off if you paid money for a ticket and travel and then got thrown out

 

[Pavilionaire]

If the Lib Dems want to garner support from football fans maybe they should work with, and not against, clubs like the Albion who they almost helped to put out of business.

Thye are pissing in the wind.

 

[steward 433]

If the Lib Dems want to garner support from football fans maybe they should work with, and not against, clubs like the Albion who they almost helped to put out of business.

Thye are pissing in the wind.

Spot on they are here anyway

 

[Stinkers Bridge]

WHY ON EARTH NOT??

Because it's Beatles Day and we don't want to give those loveable laugh-a-minute scousers any more reasons to feel sorry for themselves !

 

[Stinkers Bridge]

WHY ON EARTH NOT??

Oh, and I think you've hit the capslock button on your keyboard.