Stand Up Sit Down receive a reply from John De Quidt, FLA Chief Executive, in response to our letter asking for comment on our report from May 2005, which outlined the safety benefits of our proposals. We had specifically asked to know what measures the FLA intend to take in the coming season to stop persistent standing, particularly in less safe areas such as upper tiers, and in the light of concern regarding conflict with stewards, plus the limited success of their efforts to date.

Mr De Quidt said: ‘As you are aware, the Minister has now firmly rejected your proposals. It would therefore be wholly inappropriate for me to comment further on them'.

He advised that the FLA is funded by and accountable to the DCMS and charged with securing the implementation of the Government's policy on spectator accommodation, adding:

‘We do not have the discretion “to show flexibility” by ignoring or overriding it'.

Mr De Quidt concludes: ‘We shall therefore continue to address the issue of persistent standing in seated areas in partnership with the football authorities, clubs, local authorities and other agencies in line with our stated approach.'

Stand Up Sit Down would comment that we would not expect the FLA to ignore Government policy. However they have a clear role as advisors to the Government, and it is therefore appropriate that we continue to submit to the FLA , evidence which supports our firm belief that the solution we propose will improve both safety and customer care for football supporters.

A reply is received from the Department for Transport with regard to various points relating to road safety, asking whether the DCMS principle of safety over choice for football supporters also applies to the Government's policy with regard to transport.

The Dept. for Transport make some interesting comments with regard to protective clothing for motor cyclists:

‘The Department continues to remind motorcyclists that they should make themselves as visible as possible when riding. The Highway Code prompts riders to wear fluorescent clothes or a brightly coloured helmet in the daytime and reflective clothing or strips in the dark. The Code also reminds riders that strong boots, gloves and suitable clothing may help to protect riders if they fall off.'

‘However, the Government believes that the clothes motorcyclist wear continue to remain a matter of personal choice and there are currently no plans to make protective clothing compulsory'.

Stand Up Sit Down would comment that whilst we do not hold a view on road safety matters, we note that in allowing personal choice for motorcyclists, the Dept. of Transport has a very different policy than the Minister for Sport, who told us with regard to standing at football:

‘The issue here is one of safety versus choice. While offering spectators a choice is desirable, ensuring their safety is essential and this must be our priority.'

Stand Up Sit Down would point out that official UK figures for 2003 show that 693 motorcyclists were killed, and 28,411 injured (6,959 seriously). However, despite standing in seated areas being widespread, FLA figures show there are very few injures at football matches.

Supporters are noted standing persistently in seated areas at many grounds on the opening day of the Football league season.

Thousands of Arsenal and Chelsea fans are observed standing at the Community Shield, as has become the norm for matches at the Millennium Stadium.

Many supporters of both clubs stand throughout Liverpool's game in Bulgaria , with some fans dancing on seats.

Johnny Flacks, a former chairman of the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association, hit's back at suggestions that Middlesboro may limit United's allocation to 600 at their fixture in October. He says that the club is an easy target, and insists any ban will cause greater safety issues as away fans will get tickets in other parts of the ground.

Middlesbrough Council's Licensing Committee were told that, despite a reduction in ticket numbers and despite efforts made by all involved, most Manchester United supporters persistently stood during the game on January 1 2005. Two announcements asking away fans to be seated were greeted with "hand signals and verbal abuse".

The Committee were told that there had been problems with Manchester United fans standing since 1999, but that supporters of other clubs - Liverpool, Newcastle , Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur - were also now showing a tendency to stand.

Committee chairman, Councillor Bernie Taylor, said: "Safety is our only objective."

A Boro spokesman said the club did not wish to comment.

Stand Up Sit Down would suggest that away allocations at the Riverside are split equally between the upper & lower tier, with supporters wishing to stand advised to purchase tickets for the lower, and standing permitted here, but not in the upper.

Despite having their ticket allocation cut, Liverpool supporters stand persistently during their game at Middlesbrough.

Persistent standing is widespread as the Premiership kicks off this weekend. Supporters of Liverpool, Man Utd, Arsenal, Newcastle , West Ham, Blackburn, Spurs and Portsmouth are all noted standing for long periods.

As thousands stand throughout West Ham v Blackburn at Upton Park, a fight breaks out in the Bobby Moore Lower Tier, following a disagreement when a supporter refused to sit to allow the person behind him to see. This is apparently the third such incident in this area in the last year.

Whilst condemning such behaviour, Stand Up Sit Down would point out that it has consistently warned about escalating conflict over standing, that could be prevented by allowing separate standing & sitting areas.

A Brighton supporter requires treatment by paramedics after puncturing his leg on a piece of metal protruding from a seat whilst celebrating a goal at the Withdean Stadium.

Thousands stand at Old Trafford as the 3 rd Ashes cricket test ends in an exciting draw.

A businessman, who has supported Swindon Town all his life, has been banned from the County Ground for standing up during a game.

After returning from a visit to the toilet, the 49-year-old, from Stratton, says he stopped to talk to a friend before sitting down. But moments later he says he was thrown out of the ground and given a lifetime ban.

The club said he had been warned about standing up during games and that a ban could follow if he did not stay in his seat. However he feels he has been unfairly treated by his beloved club and says there were lots of people standing up at the same time who weren't dealt with.

After most of Brighton's supporters stand throughout their game at Derby , County's Safety Officer reports the club to the Football League saying:

“1,500 out of 1,700 Brighton supporters stood throughout the game. Although no trouble was caused it is unacceptable for this amount of away supporters to stand.”

Brighton supporters are particularly aggrieved that they were not asked to sit by stewards during the game and have then been reported to the League.

Brighton Chief Executive Martin Perry tells supporters:

“We have been warned. Persistent standing in seated areas is dangerous. There is a far greater risk of serious injury if you stand for long periods in a seated area and whilst we know some of our fans would like to stand up at matches the Ground Regulations state that no standing is permitted in seated areas while play is in progress.

There are many supporters who want to sit down but can't because people are standing up in front of them. The message is clear, our supporters must sit down at away matches - otherwise this could have a very serious impact on our away allocation this season and beyond".

"We're not talking about standing during goals, exciting parts in the game or when singing 'stand up if you want Falmer' - that's fine, provided fans sit down again afterwards."

Stand Up Sit Down would question why it is safe to stand up at exciting time stand to sing ‘Stand up if you want Falmer' but not for the rest of the game.

Stand Up Sit Down are given information on Cardiff 's fixtures at Nottingham Forest , which once again shows that sanctions are failing to stop persistent standing.

We are told that two seasons ago Cardiff took around 2,400 to Forest . Everybody stood, so last season they cut the allocation to around 1,400. Everybody stood again, so they advised that Cardiff would only get around 800 tickets this season, although following Forest's relegation this fixture will not take place in 2005/6.

Following the banning of a supporter for standing, Swindon Town FC issue a statement, part of which says:

‘We understand that in times of excitement ­ when we are attacking ­ it is natural and instinctive to stand and cheer our team on.

We also know that is what our other fans do in the adjoining stands. They then sit down until the next exciting moment.'

‘We have real concerns that someone will get injured by the activities of persistent standers and then they will undoubtedly blame the club. We want the fans to play the game, support our team by sitting down and when we are scoring or attacking making as much noise as possible.

If people refuse to sit down we are left no choice but to ban people and that hurts the club as well, as we really want these people at the ground but only if they comply with the National Ground Regulations.

If they do, they will keep officialdom off our backs, make it a safer stadium and help put more money into the team so that we can play in a league more appropriate for a club with our history.'

The club do not explain why they are concerned that persistent standing will cause injury but are happy for supporters to stand at times of excitement.

The supporter's life ban has now been reduced to three games.

Once again many examples of persistent standing are reported across the country. At St James' Park around 500 West Ham supporters stand in the very steep and high John Hall Upper Tier, with no attempts made to get them to sit.

20,000 Newcastle supporters stand in upper & lower tiers to welcome Michael Owen to St James' Park.