In its section on standing, The Football Supporters Federation Annual Report says:

‘Stand Up Sit Down have achieved a great deal in a short time and clearly there are vast overlaps in both campaigns. By working closely – yet remaining separate – we have begun to unlock the inconsistencies and contradictions in arguments given against standing up'.

Thousands of concert goers stand to watch Elton John at Reading 's Madjeski Stadium.

Stand Up Sit Down had been advised by Reading Council in February that ‘ the event organisers have agreed to provide seating for all 25,000 attendees who will be required to use them'.

Standing is discussed during a live football forum on BBC Radio 5 Live. A call for standing areas to be permitted is met with spontaneous applause from the audience.

A Stand Up Sit Down member tells us that he was going to take up the different rules for rock concerts and football supporters with the safety authority, but was asked not to do so by his football club, as they needed the revenue from the concerts being held at their ground.

Stand Up Sit Down membership reaches 2700.

Stand Up Sit Down have produced a 24 page report outlining the safety benefits of our proposed solution. Copies are being sent to all English & Welsh clubs with all seated grounds, all SPL clubs, the FLA, FSOA, English & Scottish football authorities, the Government & opposition parties, plus various other interested bodies. It is also sent to the TV, radio & newspaper media, with an accompanying press release.

The report can be downloaded from the ‘Campaign' section of this site.

The report concludes:

‘There appears to be little prospect of the authorities stopping many supporters from continuing to stand for prolonged periods, with resulting customer care and in some cases, safety implications.

It is time to accept that the current regulations are unworkable and to allow managed standing in the most suitable areas, where most people, including Safety Officers, find it hard to see that this causes a safety risk.

Such a solution will provide safety and customer care benefits for all concerned and stop the escalating conflict between supporters and stewards.'

QPR's website says that in order to improve the view from the School Lane Upper Tier (visitors), the pitch is being shortened for the coming season.

This was suggested last December by Stand Up Sit Down to QPR, who showed little interest, and then to Hammersmith & Fulham Council, who promised to investigate our concerns. Away supporters should now be able to see the whole goal without the need to stand in the upper tier.

Leicester City Supporters Trust publish our Safety Report on their website and continue to lend us their support.

At their annual conference The Football Supporters Federation thoroughly endorse the aims of Stand Up Sit Down .

QPR Supporters Trust send a copy of our safety report to their chairman and say that it a proper issue that quite rightly needed some sort of enquiry.

Stand Up Sit Down are sent a copy of a letter sent to supporters by Portsmouth FC, under the heading ‘HOOF' 'Hooligans Out Of Football', urging supporters not to stand next season. The letter mentions that one or two supporters have flouted the ‘No Standing Policy', however our observations suggest that often many thousands have stood at Fratton Park .

The FSF write to Portsmouth (with our backing) expressing outrage that standing should be equated with hooliganism.

The following email is received from Stephen Clare, Legal Services, Liverpool City Council, on behalf of the Core Cities Group of Local Authorities in response to our report:

‘Further to your contact to members of the Core Cities Safety of Sports Grounds and Public Events Working Group with the above document, I would advise it is our policy to support the legislation for all seater stadiums, and therefore it is not our policy to consider a return to standing in sports grounds. As such no comment can be made on you document.'

Stand Up Sit Down telephone the Core Cities Group, who say that the Chair of the group had advised that our report should not be discussed, as it is the role of the Core Cities Group to enforce but not comment upon regulations.

A letter is received from Shaun Harvey, Leeds United Chief Executive Officer, with reference to our report.

Mr Harvey says ‘Regardless of what Leeds United Club stance is on the matter until such a stage as we are given some comfort under the current legislation we are obliged to enforce the guidelines'.

He adds ‘The information you supply make very interesting reading'. He sends a copy of a match programme containing an article by himself asking supporters to stay seated and quoting results of a supporter survey carried out by the club, in which 20% say they prefer to stand.

Stand Up Sit Down write back to Leeds United, pointing out that we have been told that many Leeds fans did not reply to the survey saying they prefer to stand, as the responses carried membership numbers, and supporters feared being targeted if they voted to stand. We suggest that a far higher proportion of Leeds away support wish to stand.

We say that whilst appreciating that clubs have to enforce the current guidelines, we are aware that many are not happy to do so, and suggest that clubs have a role in working for a realistic solution to the whole issue.

Stand Up Sit Down receive a letter from Mike Hancock MP, thanking us for our report. He says ‘I am pleased to advise that your campaign continues to enjoy my full support'.

Mr Hancock has resubmitted an Early Day Motion (EDM 95) asking the Government to re-examine the case for introducing small, limited sections of safe standing areas at football grounds. It calls on the Minister concerned to convene a meeting of representatives of the police, supporters, premier League clubs and Football Licensing Authority to find a way forward.

Stand Up Sit Down encourages all supporters to urge their MP to sign EDM 95.

FLA Inspector Louisa Elliston advises that our concerns of ground congestion at the Ipswich v West Ham Play Off Semi Final were discussed at the club's Safety Advisory Group.

Some West Ham had been allocated in Block A, which is normally a home area and Ms Elliston said that:

‘ Ipswich Town have been advised that these arrangements will not be accepted in future and they have to provide an alternative means of allocating 15% of the stadium to away supporters. They are currently investigating with the Fire Brigade the possibility of removing doors from the rear of Block A. They are also contacting their regular season ticket holders in this area to try and offer them an improved package for these types of matches in another part of the stadium. This will possibly allow the whole of the upper tier to be offered to away supporters. If not, they have to find an acceptable alternative to put before the next SAG at the end of July. I'm very grateful you brought this to my attention. This situation will not be allowed to happen again and you can rest assured that whatever solution is put in place, the next match where away supporters are given this allocation I will be there to monitor.'

Millwall Supporters Trust tell us that we s till have their official support.  They say that when their new Chairman has settled in then the Trust will attempt to raise this issue with them.

A letter is received from Tim Davies, Chief Executive of Leicester, thanking us for our report which he says will be circulated to their Safety Advisory Group and debated in due course.

Stand Up Sit Down receive a letter from Premier League Chairman Richard Scudamore thanking us for our letter & report, and saying they will reply when they have had time to review the content.

Leeds United Supporters Trust continue to lend us their support and have recently formed a working group specifically to deal with this issue.

Bradford City 's Supporters Trust publish our safety report on their website saying:

‘BCST recognises that there are important safety and legal considerations related to this whole matter and certainly could not expect Bradford City FC to act alone, however we also recognise that many City supporters would love to be able to stand again throughout matches and will be interested in the campaign.'

An email is received from Chief Superintendent Dave Lewis in response to our report saying,   ‘On Merseyside we do not propose to provide individual or a force response to your report. We will add our thoughts to any ACPO consultation.'

Thousands of fans are seen standing throughout the Spanish cup final.

The Watford Observer gives coverage to our report outlining the safety case for allocated standing areas.

Watford Supporters Trust publish our report and will discuss the issue in full at their AGM later this year, with a view to officially backing us

A Stand Up Sit Down member attending the U2 concert at Manchester City 's ground reports:

‘We were sat in the very top (3rd tier) of the steepest stands. As soon as they came on everyone was up and dancing throughout the whole gig. I couldn't believe no one toppled over'.

After falling and slightly injuring herself on a bus, one of our members receives a reply to her letter to Transport for London, which says that it is entirely at the free will of passengers whether they stand or sit and that unless they are provided with specific details, there is little they can do about drivers who allow too many standing passengers to board.

It is strange that there is little control on standing in a moving vehicle, yet those standing passively at football may be pursued with great zeal by certain authorities.

Stand Up Sit Down receive a letter from Roger Godsiff MP, thanking us for our report which he says ‘outlines the perfectly valid reasons why standing areas can be provided at football grounds, including Premiership football grounds'.

Mr Godsiff adds that ‘I am totally supportive of these proposals' and ‘you can rest assured your campaign has my full support and I wish you well with it'.

The Manchester Evening News carries an article about Salford Reds new stadium, which will contain an area for 3000 rugby fans to stand.

Stand Up Sit Down write to the MEN asking why rugby supporters are permitted to stand, whilst football fans are being banned and having season tickets confiscated, simply for standing up.

One of our members emails the FLA asking the same question.

Arsenal reply to our letter & report, saying that our proposal has been passed to their Stadium Manger for his perusal.

A Stand Up Sit Down member emails Manchester City Council asking why those attending U2 concerts at City of Manchester Stadium are not being stopped from standing, whilst Manchester City supporters face ejection & bans for the same.

We receive a letter from Ipswich Chairman and Football League Board member David Sheepshanks, saying he has sent a copy to the Football League, asking that it is put on the agenda for their next Board Meeting.

Stand Up Sit Down write to Brian Mawhinney, Football League Chairman, saying that we hope the Board will consider our proposals objectively, considering what is best for football clubs and supporters and that discussion will not be constrained by the current regulation regarding standing

A significant number of England supporters are seen standing at the England v Australia one day cricket international.

A letter is received from Charlton Chief Executive Peter Varney in response to our letter & report. Mr Varney says:

‘I am an advocate of safe standing areas and I recently visited Borussia Munchengladbach and was impressed, both by the organisation and atmosphere inside the stadium'.

‘I wish you well with your campaign'.

The Manchester Evening News prints a letter from Stand Up Sit Down asking why standing area is being permitted at Salford Reds' new rugby ground, yet football supporters face having their season ticket confiscated and being banned from attending further games for the 'crime' of wishing to stand up in a seated area because there is no alternative. We are told it is not safe to stand yet it is safe to do so at both rugby codes, speedway, horse racing and amazingly at rock concerts being held within football grounds!

Rodney Burrows, Chairman of the Core Cities Group of Local Authorities replies to an email from a member of the FSF National Council, asking why those attending U2 concerts at the City of Manchester Stadium were allowed to stand throughout and dance around, even in upper tiers, whilst football supporters are having season tickets confiscated simply for standing.

Mr Burrows says:

‘What is urgent about this.

Standing at concerts is different to standing at football, different guidance and legislation applies that is it nothing else needs to said about it.

The legislation is quite clear, and the Government has no intention of changing it.

I have no interest at all in getting a change to this legislation and neither does any other authority in getting a return to standing areas at football grounds.

Local Authorities have a duty to enforce the legislation and are working closely with the clubs to stop the VERY small minority of people breaking the ground regulations.

You are entitled to take this matter up with who you wish, but it still wont change the legislation.'

The FSF intend to pursue this at a higher level, particularly given the Oasis Concerts will be taking place in the same stadium shortly.

The many thousands standing at recent Millennium Stadium finals could hardly be described as a ‘very small minority', and probably averaged around 30% of the crowds.

We receive a letter from the FA in response to our report, saying:

‘The FA is very familiar with their arguments that “ Stand Up Sit Down ” are making.'

'We have now considered carefully your paper of June 2005'

‘Whatever one thinks of the safety arguments that are advanced by the FLA and certifying authorities, they are of the firm and fixed view that it is inherently less safe to stand in an all seater stadium than it is to sit.'

‘The FLA have determined that they will not permit standing in seated areas, and when we have raised this with the Government they have reiterated their support for the view of the FLA.'

‘Along with our colleagues at the FA Premier League and Football league, we have therefore taken the view that there is little to be gained in lobbying the Government on this matter at this point in time. If they were to indicate their willingness to enter into a debate on the subject, then we would be happy to play our part'.

‘The FA is happy to continue to work with supporters on this issue and to hear their views. We are due to begin a process of regular consultations with the Football Supporters Federation; we know that they wish to put this subject onto our agenda.'