Stand Up Sit Down

NEWS - NOVEMBER 2004

Date	Action
1st November 2004	Sunderland announce that the FLA have instructed them to reduce ticket allocations to Leeds and West Ham due to persistent standing at previous matches. Both matches will be all ticket, inconveniencing both home & away supporters, and causing the club significant lost revenue.
3rd November 2004	Stand Up Sit Down membership reaches 1250.
4th November 2004	Stand Up Sit Down learn that some clubs are seeking compensation from visiting clubs, where their allocation is reduced by the FLA and this causes them a financial loss. Seats cannot be sold to home supporters so must remain empty.
5th November 2004	Letter received from Safety Officer at QPR. He fails to answer our question as to whether he considers that those seats at Loftus Road where it is necessary to stand to see goalmouth action represent a safety hazard. He states that 'some obscure areas of the pitch are not within view whilst sat down'. We do not consider the goal to be an obscure area! His whole tone is very dismissive of the Stand Up Sit Down campaign. We are collecting supporters comments and will write back
6th November 2004	Stand Up Sit Down email members asking for examples of grounds where seats do not meet the 'Green Guide' recommendation that seat design should ensure that spectators are encouraged to remain seated and do not have to stretch or strain to view an event. We will be seeking the FLA's view on such seats.
8th November 2004	The Football Fans Census launches an on line survey on Stand Up Sit Down's proposals for designated areas where supporters may stand in front of their seats. This is sent to their 30,000 members. See http://www.footballfanscensus.com to complete the survey.
13th November 2004	West Ham supporters receive letter from Sunderland explaining that their allocation has been halved because supporters caused a significant safety risk by standing in seated areas at away matches. Stand Up Sit Down write to Sunderland asking them to explain why standing causes a safety risk.
15th November 2004	Stand Up Sit Down receives information that Derby's allocation for their match at Nottingham Forest will be cut from their normal 4500 to 1500. There is concern that visiting supporters may buy tickets for home areas, with the potential for disorder.
15th November 2004	Birmingham newspaper carries article saying that Aston Villa supporters who stand at either home or away matches will have their season tickets frozen
16th November 2004	The Football Fans Census launches a comprehensive survey on football in association with Zoo Magazine. This includes a question on whether standing areas should be introduced. http://www.footballfanscensus.com/
17th November 2004	Stand Up Sit Down are advised that the FLA have threatened to shut the Gresty Road End at Crewe due to persistent standing by home supporters.
17th November 2004	A new political party, The Football Supporters Party is being set up, and is promoting Safe Standing Areas of one of its objectives to improve the game.
18th November 2004	Stand Up Sit Down members have supplied information on 14 grounds where the design of some seats means that for reasons of comfort or view, supporters tend to stand. These seats do not comply with the recommendations of the 'Green Guide'. Letter sent to the FLA seeking their comments on such seats.
24th November 2004	Letter received from Dept. of Culture, Media & Sport. Says that they consider our proposals amount to a re-introduction of standing, which runs against Government policy. We write back saying that as the authorities clearly cannot stop standing, by limiting it to the most suitable areas, our proposals will improve safety. DCMS also confirm that the FLA are the Government's advisors on football ground safety. We will point out that as advisors, the FLA must objectively consider supporters' suggestions, and cannot simply quote Government policy.
25th November 2004	Email from Safety Officer at QPR asks whether we encourage people to sit down when there is a perfect view. We reply that w e do not believe that it is the role of a supporters' organisation to tell people whether they should sit or stand. We say it is the job of clubs, stewards and police to enforce ground regulations, however this particular regulation is made more difficult to enforce if the ground design means that the whole goal cannot be viewed from a seated position. (As is the case in parts of Loftus Road ). We make it very clear that Stand Up Sit Down does not encourage supporters to stand or to break any laws or regulations
25th November 2004	QPR Safety Officer has stated he opposes standing because people use this as cover to throw missiles. We write saying that whilst the isolated instances of missile throwing that occur do tend to be when supporters are standing, this is not a consequence of standing, but simply that it is most likely to occur at moments of excitement or controversy, when supporters will (and are permitted to) be standing.
26th November 2004	Letter received from Manchester United saying they do not support safe standing areas. We write back asking them to explain why, and pointing out that as a more open discussion between the various parties involved may help to reach a more acceptable solution than the current situation, for all concerned.
28th November 2004	Manchester Central MP Tony Lloyd speaks on Granada TV saying the Taylor Report needs to be updated and safe standing should be introduced. He said it would be a fitting tribute to those who died in Hillsborough that standing areas should be introduced.

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