Following confrontations between supporters and bouncer type ‘stewards' in Upton Park's Bobby Moore Lower Tier, Stand Up Sit Down send a submission to the Chairman of the Safety Advisory Group at Newham Council.

We make the following proposals for non-confrontational solutions to safety problems related to standing:

That Stand Up Sit Down be allowed to place leaflets on seats and have personnel in the area, urging supporters to keep the aisles clear.

1. To reduce the number of children standing on seats, the club advises all supporters purchasing tickets for the Bobby More Lower that fans tend to stand in this area, and suggesting that those with children may prefer to use other areas of the ground.
2. That the bouncer type ‘stewards', who appear to be provoking trouble, be removed.

We ask that the SAG considers these proposals objectively as ways of dealing with specific problems, as it is clear that their ongoing attempts to get supporters to sit are failing.

We also suggest that supporters would be less likely to stand if they considered it to be dangerous, and that in accordance with the FLA 's policy, they should educate supporters as to why it is unsafe to stand. We suggest that the FLA may wish to quote examples and maybe show CCTV of the cascade effect they so often quote (if of course they can find any!)

A fight breaks out between Coventry City supporters and stewards as they attempt to get supporters to sit. City supports complain the heavy handed behaviour of the stewards in blue and at least one formal complaint is made to the club.

Virtually the entire Millwall contingent 2,400 stood for the whole game at Crystal Palace , as did the section of Palace fans in the Holmesdale road lower nearest them (about 1,500). No announcements were made over tannoy to get them to sit.

Norwich supporters complain about heavy handed and intimidatory stewarding during their match at Derby .

One seated supporter appeared to be ejected for having his feet on the (empty) seat in front.

Another young (seated) supporter was ejected when he raised two fingers in response to 10 minutes of intimidating staring from a steward. Although he was co-operating in leaving his seat and asked the stewards not to touch him, he was grabbed by several stewards, one of whom held by the neck and dragged from the ground.

he actions of the stewards and police caused uproar amongst the away support with volleys of abuse and abusive chants being aimed at them.   In the second half a lad of about 15 was ejected, again with stewards behaving in a totally unnecessary and heavy handed manner.   After the game, as the Norwich coaches left the ground, stewards lined the road, gesturing at supporters.   Norwich supporters have no reputation for causing trouble and one wonders what would have happened if stewards had acting in this manner towards supporters of certain other clubs.   Stand Up Sit Down are extremely concerned about the increasing reports of heavy handed stewarding, often related to standing, and believe that even more serious incidents will occur if more appropriate stewarding is not used. Clubs have a duty to control their fans but it seems that some are unable to control their stewards.

Stand Up Sit Down attend a meeting of the Football Supporters Federation national committee at which progress and the way forward for our two campaigns is discussed.

Stand Up Sit Down are contacted by a Coventry supporter concerned about heavy handed stewarding at the Ricoh Arena.

He says :   ‘--- the stewards at the Ricoh are no better than nightclub bouncers in uniform, arrogant and aggressive men spoiling for a fight with children as young as 11 by the look of them. I used to steward away fans at Withdean Stadium and know that it is perfectly possible to do the job well with decorum and respect for the fans. It's totally counter-productive to have aggressive over- bearing stewarding because it incites precisely the kind of behaviour amongst fans that the FA and others wish to see the end of.   Treat people with courtesy and respect and invariably you get the same back.'

1,500 West Ham supporters stand throughout their game at Birmingham , with no efforts made to get them to sit.

In contrast West Ham are under constant threat of having the Bobby Moore Lower Tier closed due to standing. If it is not considered necessary to try to get supporters to sit at Birmingham , why is it such an issue at other grounds?

Stand Up Sit Down write to Birmingham City to compliment them on the way in which the fixture v West Ham was stewarded. City's stewards made every effort to talk to supporters where necessary, rather than to eject, which was a welcome contrast to the oppressive and heavy handed approach seen at some other clubs in recent weeks. Both sets of fans were able to enjoy much good natured banter, without unnecessary intervention from stewards or police. The letter is copied to the FLA , Premier League, FSF, & the West Midlands Police.

Stand Up Sit Down receive the following comments from an Aston Villa supporter who attended the recent match at Doncaster :

Villa were allocated 2,300 terraced tickets and 300 seated. This appears to be a sensible solution to have a choice. The stewarding is very relaxed and fan friendly in the lower league, which from my experiences is the opposite that of the premiership.   Even the club officials who steward the coaches (who stood rather than sit even though they had the option) said they enjoyed having the old experience of standing on terraces again. There were no injuries and no disorder.'

A letter signed by supporters' representatives from 40 clubs is sent to the FA, Premier League & Football League, expressing concern about the heavy handed stewarding observed at many grounds this season.

Stand Up Sit Down fully support this initiative and were pleased to add our name to the letter.

Stand Up Sit Down are contacted by Southend United Supporters' Trust who advise that stewards are becoming increasingly draconian in forcing supporters to sit in the East Stand.

The Trust say:

‘The problem is at Southend is that they are chucking out home fans who stand but do nothing about away fans!  In the back row of the East Stand, the leg room is so cramped that fans say that they have to stand as there is not enough leg room to sit. For the last two games, the stewards have been coming down heavy on a practice that has been going on for decades and this has led to confrontation and fisticuffs.'

A Southend supporter reports:

‘One fan was ejected but allowed back in on appeal. A couple of others were involved in scuffles with the security men. They were protesting the fact that unless you are 5'7 and under it is physically impossible to actually sit down in the back row.

It seems that the security were anticipating this reaction and a 'snatch squad' was ready downstairs. I've since heard that a member of the security team has been relieved of his duties and a full apology has been received by one fan in particular. Read this as an admission they were a tad on the heavy handed side if you will.'

Another comments:

In regard to those seats at the back of the east stand I go to the reserve matches and I am not a big bloke at all but it is impossible to seat square on. You either have sit with your legs sideways or hanging over the seat in front which is only possible for reserve matches of course so I think the club should make those seats either cheaper or reserve the sales to midgets '.

Discussion with Arsenal supporters highlights yet another inconsistency in the authorities' approach to standing. Home and away supporters in Highbury's Clock End stand every week with no obvious efforts made to get them to sit. This contrast with clubs such as Barnet, Spurs and West Ham, who all come under the same FLA Inspector, and where the clubs are continually being forced to take action to try to prevent standing.

A letter is received from a Barnet FC director Andrew Adie, responding to concerns about stewarding and unsuccessful efforts to get Torquay supporters to sit in a nine row deep open stand, at the fixture on 19 th November.
Mr Adie says that agency stewards are used to meet the minimum number required by London Borough of Barnet, who in turn are policed by the FLA.

He adds:

‘We as a club often feel persecuted by our council on the topic of standing in seated areas, as the blanket enforcement they request seems inconsistent with nearly every other authority across the country'.

‘The South Stand which is allocated to visiting fans is a temporary stand, and is a particular focus for LBB and FLA when fans stand rather than sit', and I have many items of correspondence from the relevant authorise about this sensitive subject'.

Stand Up Sit Down would suggest that the fact that the stand is ‘temporary' is irrelevant. It has been in place for a number of years and is either safe, or should not be used. In assessing it's safety the relevant authorities must have taken into account the fact that supporters will stand at moments of excitement, and jump around to celebrate goals, so why is it unsafe for supporters to stand in front of their seats for the rest of the game?

Stand Up Sit Down would also point out that the stand appears to be of similar design (but smaller) to the away stand at Gillingham, where large numbers of supporters have been observed standing and no efforts made by stewards to make them sit.

Stand Up Sit Down fail to understand why a relatively small number of Torquay supporters were constantly harassed by stewards, when for example a few miles down the road, thousands of fans stand at Highbury with little apparent effort made to stop them. The more we receive information from supporters the more we see blatant discrepancies in attitudes to standing across the country.

The Football League launches a major survey seeking supporters' views. Chairman Lord Mawhinney says:

‘This survey will give fans the opportunity to let us know their thoughts on a whole range of questions right across the football spectrum.'

The extensive survey however has no questions relating to supporters preference to stand or sit, or to the provision of choice in accommodation at grounds.

It does however ask what appears to be a very leading question about safety, asking fans to rate from 1 – 10 how important they consider safety at grounds. Clearly few are going to rate it as less than important, but the Minister for Sport has already used a similar question from a Premier League survey to back up his anti standing policy. Of course supporters want to be safe, but this does not mean that they must be forced to sit. As Lord Taylor said ‘Standing accommodation is not intrinsically unsafe'.

Plans are proceeding for the Safe Standing Day organised by Wycombe Wanderers Founders Trust at their fixture against Orient on 29 th December.

The organisers have already been interviewed by Three Counties radio and hope to have some coverage on Sky who are showing the game.

All supporters backing Safe Standing are welcome to attend the game (but please note that tickets are required).

For more information on this visit   http://www.wwft.co.uk/

Stand Up Sit Down are contacted by Radio Five Live to ask if we will take part in an item on standing on their breakfast show. We are very happy to contribute and the item is planned for 29 th December, Wycombe's Safe Standing day.

Talk Sport cover the standing issue on their breakfast show phone in.
Alan Brazil is strongly pro standing and makes many good arguments. Graham Beecroft opposes.

A Wycombe Wanderers director is interviewed regarding their Safe Standing day later this month.

Most callers were in favour of standing and called for choice to be given to fans.

FSF Chairman Malcolm Clarke spoke and made an eloquent and well thought out case for safe standing. 

Talk Sport discuss standing on their early evening show.

Anne Wilson, Chair of the Hillsboro Justice campaign is interviewed. She says that she knows that many supporters want to stand and that this adds to the atmosphere. She says that she would like to see the return of standing, with the strong proviso that there must be no fences

A German journalist is interviewed about the situation In Germany and he says that supporters are allowed to stand in designated areas, but that even in seated areas no one makes them sit. He uses the example of 30,000 Dortmund fans standing behind the goal. He says that Bayern Munich fans couldn't understand why they were forced to sit at Chelsea and that some were even ejected for standing. He advocates supporters being allowed to stand in seated areas, where they have their own designated space.

Stand Up Sit Down get through and briefly outline our proposals.

A number of calls are taken and none oppose standing. Several point out that Hillsboro was not caused by standing, but by fences and poor policing.

Talk Sport's sports news presenter says not understand why supporters need to stand to get atmosphere. He quotes the Liverpool v Chelsea Champions league semi final, where the ground was rocking but ‘not one person stood in an all seater stadium'. He clearly failed to notice that virtually everyone stood that night, and that this was in fact an example of how standing adds to the atmosphere.

Ticket sales for the ‘Safe Standing' terrace at Wycombe v Orient (29 th December) are going well.

Tickets can be bought through: https://tickets.wwfc.com

A supporter copies Stand Up Sit Down with his letter of complaint to the Football league with regard to the content on their survey launched last week.

Part of his letter is as follows:

I believe you are to be commended for taking the effort to offer supporters the opportunity to voice their concerns regarding the future of our sport. However there is a decidedly corporate tinge to this survey, and it doesn't tackle many of the issues that I believe supporters care about. For example, it is clear to me that the FL care more about our knowledge of our clubs sponsors, than whether we would like to see a return to terracing, or at least a return to a sensible and mature solution whereby supporters are allowed to stand in a specific part of the ground. Clearly, you did not ask this question as you do not have the desire or effort to serve your 'customers' needs, if, as I presume, you were to receive responses that suggested perhaps at least 20% of fans wish to stand.'   Stand Up Sit Down share this supporter's concerns and will be interested to read the Football League's response.

The entire Booby Moore Lower & Centenary Lower (West Ham & 2700 Newcastle ) stand for the whole of the game at Upton Park. The only efforts observed to get supporters to sit are some half hearted waves from one steward, to whom West Ham fans simply wave back.

Delays on the District Lane following West Ham v Newcastle lead to major overcrowding on tube trains. Passengers changing onto the C2C train from Barking are even more crushed as the delayed kick off meant that the trains on which extra coaches are added had left before the game finished. Presumably either the train operator was not told about the late kick off, or did not bother to add extra coaches.

Supporters comment that the crushing is far worse than they ever experience at football, with the density of people greater than in days of high capacity terraces, and far less than in those terraces which are still permitted.

hilst football supporters are being ejected for standing in low gradient seated areas, and terracing is not permitted in the top two divisions, the Health & Safety Executive have said that standing on trains is not a safety matter.

Stand Up Sit Down membership reaches 3500.

An email is received from the Premier league in response to our letter to Birmingham City (copied to PL), in which we praised the stewarding of the Birmingham v West Ham fixture. Catherine Long says:

Thanks for copying us in on your letter to Birmingham City . It's always good to hear of examples of good stewarding! As you know, we do take this issue seriously and we're always looking to discuss ways of improving stewarding, so do keep us posted of your good - and bad experiences.'

Stand Up Sit Down are sent a copy of a letter from the Football League, in response to a complaint that their supporters' survey did not cover the real issues that concern fans, and in particular standing. The Football League say:

There are many different research methods, each method has its strengths as well as weaknesses and all elements of how we conducted our survey (i.e. online, offering only closed answers etc) are done for a considered reason. We have enlisted the services of an independent and professional research agency to help us conduct the survey and are aware of both the limitations and benefits of our chosen method.   As I am sure you can appreciate all supporters have their views on what should have been included in the survey - however, it is not intended to be a one-off survey and there will be opportunities in the future.'

The Football League reply to the letter sent from supporters' organisations at 40 clubs, with regard to stewarding, atmosphere and standing. The Football league say:

‘You will obviously be aware of a number of tragedies occurring at some of the football grounds in this country and abroad over a number of years. These tragedies have led to a reappraisal of the standards required in terms of the physical structure of football stadia, the facilities for supporters and crowd management. It is clear and right that the safety of supporters must take precedence over all other issues. ‘

Stand Up Sit Down appreciate the importance of safety, but along with many people within the game, do not consider that standing in seated lower tiers, or in well managed Safe Standing areas, causes a safety risk. We would point out that in his report on Hillsborough, Lord Justice Taylor said that standing is not intrinsically unsafe.

‘Seated stadia in the top two divisions are a requirement under the law and capacities are based on supporters being seated in stands designed to accommodate seated supporters. We are aware that there are some supporters who wish to stand at matches but the majority wish to sit down and watch the match from the seat they have purchased. They express annoyance at those who stand and impede their view of the match.'

Stand Up Sit Down do not dispute that the majority of supporters wish to sit, but we are aware that a sizable number prefer to stand. Our solution of separate areas would overcome the problem of blocked views, something which the authorities are failing to achieve.

‘Your views on the effect of stewarding on the atmosphere and the attendances at football matches are interesting but some of the best stadia in terms of atmosphere are those where the behaviour of supporters is excellent and where supporters remain seated.'

Stand Up Sit Down would suggest that the best atmosphere is invariably where a substantial number of supporters stand.

Stockport County Supporters ' Trust write to Stand Up Sit Down , to formally back our campaign. Trust secretary Steve Johnson says:

‘On behalf of the Stockport County Trust Board I would like to take the opportunity to formally back your campaign to ensure safe standing areas are available at football grounds. It is time for authorities to recognise the reality of what it means to watch football in this country and to deal with that reality.

It is the fans and their culture that help to make football the fantastic game that it is. This has to be balanced with ensuring that fans' safety is maintained whilst they are attending matches, however that should not be used as a smokescreen to prevent safe standing areas from being introduced at football grounds across the country and at all levels of the game. The Stockport County Trust backs the efforts of ‘Stand Up Sit Down' and hopes that other football fans will do likewise in order to increase the pressure on the government and the football authorities.'

Many West Ham supporters complain of poor facilities and potential for crushing in the visitors area at Fratton Park Portsmouth.

Heavy traffic delays supporters, and many are queuing outside for the three turnstiles, as the match kicks off. Fortunately there is no pushing despite it taking until 20 minutes into the match to admit all fans.

Inside the ground toilet facilities prove hopelessly inadequate for the 2,200 supporters, and at half time a mass of people wait on steps, with no crash barriers to prevent a possible cascade effect.

After the game congestion builds up in the exits, and eventually stewards allow some supporters to leave through a home stand.

Seats, which have simply been bolted onto an old terrace, give very little leg room, meaning that for many people, sitting is very uncomfortable. All 2200 away fans stand throughout the game.

There is no roof and rain makes steps a slip hazard., partially where painted with yellow ‘safety' paint.

Stand Up Sit Down write to the FLA to highlight the poor facilities and potential safety risks in the away end at Portsmouth .

We also ask the following of questions related to standing which were highlighted by the Intercash Stand (away end) at Fratton Park .

•  The Intercash Stand is an old terrace, onto which seats have simply been bolted in order to comply with legislation. However the leg room is very limited, which of course encourages both home and away supporters to stand. I am aware that supporters of many visiting clubs stand at Fratton Park , and that as yesterday, no efforts are made to get them to sit. It appears that the seats are merely there to comply with regulations and of course they allow the club to charge £30 for tickets. At our meeting earlier this year you told us that the FLA consider that standing in seated areas is more dangerous than would be purpose built ‘safe standing' areas. Given that the design of the Intercash Stand means that supporters will tend to stand in front of their seats, would you therefore agree that the fitting of seats has made this area less safe than it would have been had the terrace been retained, but the capacity simply cut to the current level?

•  The design of the Intercash Stand, means that congestion tends to occur around the entrances and exits, and most seriously on the steps between the walkway and ‘concourse'. There is no reason to believe that yesterday's occurrences were anything unusual and indeed stewards were noted to have said that ‘it is always like this'. The stand has been seated for at least ten years so these problems are not new. At other grounds clubs are under constant threat of capacity reductions due to persistent standing in seated areas, yet far greater potential hazards are allowed to continue at Fratton Park . You will appreciate that this apparent inconsistency leads supporters to believe that safety is not the main reason behind the Governments refusal to all standing areas. Given the obvious problems please can you tell us why the FLA have been willing to grant Portsmouth FC a licence for this area of Fratton Park ?

•  Personal experience and much feedback from our members shows huge differences in the measures taken to try to get supporters to sit at different grounds. For example at Portsmouth and Birmingham, stewards and police made no efforts at all to get West Ham supporters to sit, yet the Bobby Moore Lower Tier at Upton Park (an area which is also of relatively low rake) is under constant threat of capacity reduction or closure due to persistent standing. If standing in seated lower tiers really is the serious safety risk which the FLA claim, please can you explain why there are such differences in the amount of effort made to try to stop it happening at different grounds across the country?

•  One reason that the FLA have given against allowing standing areas is that a return to standing would mean a return to ‘terrace behaviour'. This is the second occasion that we have contacted the FLA about problems of congestion caused by ground design at a West Ham away match. On both occasions supporters have behaved well, with no pushing that could have caused serious crushing. On both occasions all of our supporters have stood, so they were effectively ‘terrace' supporters. I am well aware of the type of behaviour that used to occur twenty or so years ago, and that on occasions this contributed to safety problems, albeit it with poor policing and crowd control. However, although many supporters still stand, and wish to do so without having to break ground regulations, their behaviour is now totally different. They are more safety aware and more considerate. Please can you advise whether the FLA still consider that allowing standing areas would lead to a deterioration in the behaviour of supporters?

•  You will see from the website comments attached that a number of supporters expressed concern about safety at Portsmouth . The same happened with West Ham's match at Ipswich . Stand Up Sit Down have always maintained that supporters have a good understanding of what is safe and what is not. Supporters do not however express concern that standing in areas such as the Intercash Stand and Bobby Moore Lower causes any safety risk. Do you believe that supporters views as to what they consider safe should be taken into account in determining policy with regard to standing areas?

•  All the West Ham supporters stood yesterday, although I am sure that some would have preferred to sit, but were unable to do so, either because of the limited leg room, or because others in front were standing. The seats in this part of the ground appear merely to serve the purpose of ensuring that the stadium complies with legislation, and providing each supporter with a designated area to stand. Given that the authorities do not attempt to get supporters to sit, and would be unlikely to succeed if they tried, we would suggest that this would be an ideal area to split into standing and sitting sections. Those wishing to sit could buy tickets for the sitting area, and those wanting to stand in front of their seats would use a standing area. Given that currently everyone stands and no efforts are made to stop this, our proposal would at least reduce the number standing and have customer care benefits for all. We appreciate that this is not possible to be officially sanctioned under current regulations, but it is a role of the FLA to advise the Government (not simply to quote current legislation). Please can you explain what objection you would have to an area such as the Intercash Stand, where everyone currently stands, being split into official standing and seated sections?

Newcastle 's match with Charlton is postponed due to icy conditions outside the ground, just 25 minutes before kick off.

Stand Up Sit Down are not in a position to comment of whether the game should have been called off, but would point out (as said by Sir Alex Ferguson) that shopping centres and other venues are not closed due to ice on their approach roads. It would be difficult to imagine large retail outlets accepting closure due to such external factors. This appears to be another example of different safety ‘rules' applying to football as to other walks of life.

Wycombe Wanderers' Safe Standing Day is well supported with 1350 standing on the terrace and no safety problems apparent.

Members of Stand Up Sit Down & the Football Supporters Federation are shown by Sky TV holding a Safe Standing banner on the pitch prior to the match.

Only a few stewards are needed and we are interested to hear from a Wycombe official that their s stewards are all club employees and they don't use agency staff, because “we don't like agency staff, you don't know who you'll get, all they want to do is push people around”.

The Safe Standing day was fully supported by Wycombe Wanderers FC. Stand Up Sit Down hope that other clubs, many of whom are also sympathetic to standing, will now be prepared to back supporters on this issue.

Stand Up Sit Down receive a reply to our email regarding Fratton Park , from FLA R egional Inspector Malcolm Collier. Mr Collier says:

‘For some time we have received requests from the club not to upgrade some facilities, as these should, by now, have been demolished and replaced as part of the stadium redevelopment. The requests have been looked upon with sympathy by the Local Authority, as the work was supposed to have been commenced earlier this year.

However the continued delay in implementing the new development will now result in the club having to make radical changes in order to provide acceptable facilities for spectators, particularly the visitors. Many people would agree with your analysis of those facilities.

I appreciate your comments and would respond by saying that, for instance, a number of temporary toilet facilities were put in for fans last season, but were withdrawn, because according to the club, they were not being used.

With respect to entry, the large gates were not opened as this would have inevitably resulted in a dangerous crush in the small area by the toilets and refreshments at the foot of the staircase.

 If the Club have a potentially large number of away spectators they are expected to introduce alternative turnstile arrangements. This obviously did not take place and I will raise that matter with the club and the LA as a matter of urgency.

With respect to emergency evacuation, I have no real concerns over this, as forward evacuation onto the pitch is an essential part of the contingency plan.

Rest assured that these matters will now be pursued with some urgency, as we are not only concerned with safety but also with the quality of the spectator enjoyment.'

Stand Up Sit Down thank the FLA for their quick response and for taking our concerns seriously.

We note the FLA 's concern for spectator enjoyment, and hope that this will extend to allowing choice as to whether they may sit or stand at matches.

Will Self writes in the Evening Standard about the 12.39 from St Austell to Paddington on Tuesday 27th December, saying:

"... by the time we limped into Exeter there were scores standing in the aisles.  You couldn't reach the toilet or buffet without playing three dimensional twister.  ... We ended up with two young children on our knees, two extra passengers at our table and one young man on it.  The consequences of any emergency or accident were too dreadful to contemplate..."

The Health & Safety Executive have previously said that standing on trains is not a safety matter.

Stand Up Sit Down accept that it would not be practical to ensure that all train passengers have seats, but fail to understand how this can be considered safe if standing in front of seats at football is dangerous.

Hundreds of thousands of revelers congregate in London and cities around the country to welcome in the New Year. Crowd control measures and numbers of stewards are far less than seen at football matches, despite the large amounts of alcohol being drunk. Crowd congestion on London after the fireworks end is reported to be far worse than seen at football, and the potential for crushing far greater.

This illustrates yet another example of the difference in control and of freedom to which football supporters are subjected, in contrast to other events.

As usual all 3,000 West Ham supporters stand at Charlton.

It is noted that Charlton had roped off the row in front of the disabled area, so that those in wheelchairs can see while those in front stand.

Stand Up Sit Down are pleased to see that Charlton appear to have accepted that supporters will stand and taken sensible action to allow disabled supporters unimpaired views.

We would however suggest that the positioning of the disabled area in the South Stand at the Valley is far from ideal, because even if supporters do not stand throughout, they will do so at moments of excitement, and therefore block the view of those in wheelchairs.