A Newcastle supporter tells Stand Up Sit Down of ejections at their home match with Blackburn :

As you may know, there's around 200 people along the back few rows of the John Hall level 7 tier, who stand every game. For the first time this season, the stewards came right up and started making people sit etc. which led to a few confrontations. They threw 3 or 4 people out for it, and my mate got a severe telling off, threatened with being kicked out and banned etc. The police were also very present backing up the stewards. They then went across to the Blackburn fans and started making a small group of around 50 fans at the back to sit too, resulting in 3 or 4 ejections there too.

Totally unnecessary in my opinion as these people are bothering no-one as they're at the back, and we've been doing it for 2 seasons now without problems.'

Thousands of home and away supporters stand as Chelsea play Liverpool at Stamford Bridge . A PA announcement asking the Matthew Harding Lower Tier to sit is met with ‘Stand up for the champions' and no one sitting down.

Leeds supporters tell Stand Up Sit Down of ejections for standing at Elland Road . Supporters plan at yellow card protest at a forthcoming fixture.

Following ejections at their previous fixture, Newcastle supporters prepare a petition to take place at their match with Charlton on the 22 nd February. Supporters say that the club are sending out letters to everyone who stands in level 7 of the Lazes saying that if fans continue to stand they will get one more warning then their season tickets will be taken away.

Stand Up Sit Down issues a press release and article entitled ‘Hiding in the Shadow of Hillsborough'.

This article sets out a number of facts about Hillsborough that the authorities choose not to mention when they continually use the disaster as a reason to stifle debate on standing.

• Sheffield Wednesday had no current safety certificate for the ground
• The one they did hold had not, despite various changes to the ground, been updated since it was issued in December 1979!
• For the police officer in charge that day, it was his first football match
• In 1981 the police had advised that the overall figure of 10,100 for the Leppings Lane terrace was too high and yet the capacity was not reduced.
• The police did not divert supporters from the packed pens into ones either side of the central one where supporters were congregating
• A front barrier was corroded and under the pressure of the excessive and uncounted number of fans allowed in, it collapsed directly causing a number of deaths.
• A crush barrier had been removed from pen 3 in 1986 leaving a clear fall through to the front
• A second barrier had had a gap inserted in it in 1985
• Lord Taylor rejected the idea drunk fans caused the disaster but instead was certain that the chief reason was police failure to handle the mass of supporters.
• That seats should replace terracing was one of 76 recommendations that Taylor made and was not included in his interim report.
• This recommendation was amended by the then Home Office Minister, David Mellor, in July 1992 when he agree that some standing accommodation could be retained by clubs in the lowest two divisions of the Football League

The article can be seen on the Campaign section of this website.

Stand Up Sit Down welcome many of the changes that have been made to make our grounds safer since Hillsborough, but like many within the game, we do not believe that seating is necessary to ensure the safety of supporters.

We would point out that:

1. Much has changed  since Hillsborough. There is new technology, a far greater safety culture and a marked change in the attitude and behavior of supporters (which had started prior to Hillsborough).

2. Lord Taylor did not get everything right. He said that people would get used to sitting and not stand up, which is more than a decade later, is being proved wrong across the country every week.

3. Lord Taylor was a perceptive and intelligent man who, if he were alive, would not be so dogmatic as those who are citing his name, and would be open to reviewing how things have changed.

4. The sheer illogicality of saying that the safety of a ground is a function of the quality of football played on it - thus Craven Cottage can be safe when Fulham were in Div 2 (as was) but not when they got promoted to Div 1 (as was)

The article is published on a number of supporters' websites and receives much support.

FLA Chief Executive John De Quidt replies to our question:

‘Given that the FLA believes that the potential safety risk from standing in seated areas varies according to the ground design (e.g. Slope, upper / lower tier), that the FLA considers ‘terraces' to be safer than standing in seated areas, and that the various authorities have now been trying to stop persistent standing for some years, at what point will you advise the Government that it is not realistic to expect supporters to remain seated, and therefore that the safest solution would be to allow designated managed standing areas (either seated or terrace)?'

Mr De Quidt says:

‘For reasons that I hope you will understand, I do not – indeed should not – comment upon any abstract or hypothetical situation. Any comment could be interpreted as fettering the FLA 's discretion to act reasonably in the future. All I can say is that we are committed to considering the facts of any particular case strictly on their merits. That will remain our approach.'

Stand Up Sit Down are pleased to hear that the FLA will consider the facts strictly on their merits, and hope that this means that they will advise the Government that it is proving impossible to get supporters to sit, and that the safest and only workable solution is managed safe standing.

A Middlesbrough supporter tells Stand Up Sit Down:

‘We played Sunderland away last week and the whole Boro contingent stood throughout - everyone said what a great atmosphere it was and what a change it was not to be forced to sit down. It was a freezing cold night, the seats were wet and thankfully a bit of common sense prevailed with the stewards.'

West Ham season ticket holders in the Bobby Moore Lower Tier receive letters from the club warning that seat numbers of persistent standers will be recorded and that as a last resort those continuing to stand may be refused entry. The letter ends ‘Hopefully we can reply upon your support and avoid the threat of closure'.

Many supporters tell Stand Up Sit Down that they will continue to stand, and some say they would no longer watch football if they had to sit. Some tell us that they would welcome closure of the stand as it would force the whole issue into open debate, but that they don't believe the FLA will carry out its threat.

John Austin, Labour MP for Erith & Thamesmead replies to a supporter's email saying:

‘I very much welcome the emphasis on safety at football grounds and also welcome the increase in seating. Nevertheless, I have always argued that it is possible to provide safe standing and have raised this in the past with Ministers and will do so again.'

The Manchester Evening News carries a report of yet another Manchester City fan banned from watching his team due to persistent standing.

ver the last couple of weeks Stand Up Sit Down have received reports from supporters of various teams that clubs and stewards have been taking increased action against those who stand. Supporters of Leeds, Newcastle , Manchester City , West Ham, Spurs and Coventry have all reported conflict with stewards. There is much anger amongst supporters who fail to understand why such efforts are being made to stop them standing, when there is no evidence that what they have done for the last ten years is unsafe.

As for all big games, the Kop stand throughout tonight's match v Arsenal

Having failed to get a proper response from Manchester City Council six months after sending their report highlighting poor behaviour, persistent standing and dancing in all tiers at the Oasis gigs at City of Manchester Stadium , the FSF send the Council the following email:

Dear Richard

I am emailing you concerning the report I produced for the Football Supporters Federation regarding the Oasis concerts last summer.

On 18th November, Cllr Swannick stated that he had forwarded the report to the Licensing Unit for them to comment and he would then forward the comments to me.

On the 18th December I emailed Cllr Swannick asking if any comment was forthcoming. Through an admin worker, he responded that he would get in touch with the Licensing Unit and find out where they were up to.

On the 22nd January I emailed Cllr Swannick asking once again what was happening and I received no reply.

On the 8th February I emailed Cllr Swannick with the same request and have still to receive any kind of response.

It is almost three months since the Licensing Unit received the report and almost six months since the initial report was given to both yourself and Cllr Swannick - yet no official comment from the council has been given during this time. I find this unacceptable.

Can you please - as a matter of urgency - request that this matter is dealt with, without any further delay?

I look forward to your reply

Phill Gatenby

National Council

The FSF.  

Stand Up Sit Down would point out the contrast in 6 months inactivity on receipt of this report, by the same council who are forcing Manchester City to eject supporters for simply standing still to watch their team.

Stand Up Sit Down 's on line petition reaches 6000 signatures.

The Southend Echo carry an article about Southend United & West Ham clamping down on standing in seated areas. Stand Up Sit Down are quoted saying that it is ridiculous that people can stand and dance at concerts but have to sit for football matches in the same stadium.

In response to an article about another Manchester City fan being banned for standing, a letter from Phill Gatenby of the FSF is printed in the Manchester Evening News.

Gatenby says:

‘The clubs safety officer claims it is illegal to stand up in an all seated area and that the club could have their safety certificate revoked if action is not taken against fans standing up.

If that is the case, can the safety officer or the city council's Licensing Unit please explain why it is acceptable to persistently stand up throughout the rock concerts that are held in the same stadium without any action being taken against any one standing and dancing in the seated areas during the shows - including the very steep third tiers?'

‘In the meantime, Manchester City (and other clubs) are scratching their heads wondering where the missing thousands of fans are. Well if they haven't been thrown out and banned already, many are simply fed up of being treated with contempt by those running the game. It is time clubs realised that one big way to get fans coming back is to demand the relaxing of the all seater stadium rule and allow small, safe, controlled standing areas within stadiums. Not only will fans come back, but atmospheres will improve and the tension currently existing between fans, stewards and the club will vanish also. Then, those fans who genuinely wish to remain seated can do so without someone standing up in front of them all of the time and spoiling their enjoyment of the game.'

Many supporters are noted standing throughout FA Cup 5h round matches. Notably those of Liverpool, Manchester United, Birmingham , West Ham, Chelsea and Manchester City .

West Ham supporters returning from Bolton by train are made to wait at Horwich Parkway Station, in a confined area against a temporary wooden fence, with a far greater density of people than would be seen on the terraces that we are told are too dangerous to permit (except in the lower divisions where they apparently are safe).

A complaint at the way supporters were treated (herded at Horwich Parkway , kept in a train for an hour and refused access to food & drink outlets at Piccadilly, followed by a 3½ hour journey to London with no buffet) is sent to Greater Manchester Police, and copied to the FLA with particular reference to the problems at Horwich parkway.

Chelsea 's Matthew Harding Lower Tier is said to be under threat of closure due to persistent standing.

Stand Up Sit Down are contacted by a Norwich supporter who tells us that persistent standing contuse at all their fixtures. He says that at the Ipswich match on 5 th February thousands stood, despite the 11.15 kick off.

Stand Up Sit Down are contacted by the Shrimpers Trust at Southend United, who are concerned about home supporters being ejected for standing, whilst no efforts are made to get away supporters to sit.

We are told that the club have said that Southend United are not responsible for making away fans sit, as it is up to their club to do this, and although they will report standing to the football league they would only intervene if it was seen as a serious safety risk.

Stand Up Sit Down would suggest that this is further evidence that clubs don't see standing as a serious safety issue. If it were so they would be more proactive in stopping it, and not simply acting when forced to do so by the FLA or local authorities.

St Helens Rugby League Club announce that they are building a new ground and that after consultation with supporters it will contain standing areas, yet again raising the question, why can people stand to watch rugby but not top division football?

Thousands of Marseille fans are seen standing, bouncing & some lighting flares, at their UEFA Cup match with Bolton .

The FLA have previously told us that standing in Europe is different to the UK , due to the ‘different profile' of supporters.

The FLA reply to the copy of our letter with regard to policing problems at Horwich parkway station ( Bolton ), saying:

‘As you correctly surmise, we have no involvement over what happens outside the curtilage of the ground, except insofar as it affects the safety of spectators at the ground itself.  Once spectators have left the ground, as in the case you cite, neither the Safety of Sports Grounds Act 1975 nor the Football Spectators Act 1989 apply.  I will nevertheless ensure that my local inspector and the local authority are made aware of your letter to the Greater Manchester Police.'

Stand Up Sit Down are grateful that the FLA are passing our letter on, but we find it strange that such efforts are made to stop standing inside grounds, whereas there appears to be no legislation or body covering safety outside grounds, especially on or around public transport, where a degree of crushing often occurs.

The Football Supporters Federation receive a reply from the Government (Dept. of Culture, Media & Sport), to their letter and report outlining problems at the Oasis Gigs at City of Manchester Stadium last summer.

Questions and answers are as follows:

Q1. Are DCMS happy with what went on at the Oasis gigs?

A.   Enforcement of safety at music events held in football stadiums falls under the remit of the licensing awarding authority, in this case Manchester City Council. DCMS is therefore unable to comment on the specific safety aspects outlined in the report. However, the council have suggested that you write to them directly to gain their views on these issues. (the council have already been sent 3 copies of the report, so it is strange that they want another)

Q2 What action, if any, will DCMS take as a result of the report?

A. We have spoken to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) and they are clear that the current legislation covering spectator safety at music concerts in football stadiums is sufficient. For this reason DCMS will not be making any further recommendations for additional regulations. However, the HSE continually keep their policies under review and are always willing to assess new evidence.

Stand Up Sit Down fail to understand why the Government see no reason to stop those attending concerts from standing, while football supporters are being ejected when standing to watch matches in the same stadiums.

Many Manchester United supporters are seen standing at for the Carling Cup final, something which is common practice for most major games at the Millennium Stadium. Although most seats at this ground give an excellent view of the pitch, clearly many supporters prefer to stand.

Plans are in hand for a yellow card protest showing support for standing areas at next week's West Ham v Everton match. The £300 cost of printing cards is covered by donations from supporters, demonstrating the strength of feeling on this issue. Plans are being made for similar protest at Crystal Palace and a number of other clubs.