Saintkev Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Got this and wondered if people fancied backing it... just done it to Pete Wishart, personalising my e-mail to say we have no choice and it just causes problems... I'll see what he says... _--------------------------------------------------------------------------------- All I'm circulating this email to all Scottish supporters? trusts. Let me first of all introduce myself. My name is Steven Powell. I am elected director of Supporters Direct. I also work on a part-time freelance basis for the Football Supporters? Federation, which represents supporters of clubs and national teams at all levels in both England & Wales. Some weeks ago Portsmouth South MP Mike Hancock promoted an Early Day Motion (EDM) in the House of Commons at Westminster calling for a considered debate on the introduction of safe standing areas in England & Wales. Standing was prohibited by law in the top two divisions down here following the Hillsborough Disaster. Although there is no statutory prohibition on standing at football grounds in Scotland, the SFA and the SPL were arm-twisted into introducing an all-seated requirement on the basis that similar legislation would be introduced in Scotland to that south of the border if they did not. The EDM has so far received the support of 89 MPs, including representatives of the Labour (45), Conservative (21), Liberal Democrats (18), Democratic Unionist (2) and Social Democratic & Labour Parties (2) and Plaid Cymru (1). It isn?t often that you see MPs with as radically different views as Ann Cryer and Anne Widdecombe on the same side of the ball! I and my FSF colleagues down here are hoping that you and the members of your supporters? trust will want to circulate your members asking them to contact their Westminster MPs to ask them to join their colleagues south of the border in signing the EDM. The FSF (and before its formation in 2002, its two founding partners, the former Football Supporters? Association and the National Federation of Football Supporters? Clubs) have campaigned long and hard for the repeal of the regulations requiring all-seater stadia by law in England & Wales. I don?t assume that you personally, nor your supporters? trust are in favour of safe standing. That would be presumptious. If you are however, I hope you?ll want to do what you can to get Scottish Westminster MPs to sign the EDM. Whilst it will not bring the repeal of the regulations itself, it will help us to force the Westminster Government into a debate on the issue. You can find details of the EDM and which Westminster MPs have already signed it by going to: http://edmi.parliament.uk/EDMi/EDMDetails.aspx?EDMID=31670&SESSION=885 You can find out contact details for your Westminster MP by simply typing in your home postcode at the following site: http://www.writetothem.com If you?d like any further information or to discuss this issue further, please don?t hesitate to get in touch with either myself or the FSF national council member who co-ordinates our work on safe standing, Phill Gatenby. My email address is: steven.powell@fsf.org.uk my telephone number is 07881 950613. Phill?s email address is: phill.gatenby@fsf.org.uk His telephone number is 07843 446397. Please let Phill have copies of any letters/emails you send and any replies you receive. The postal address is: Phill Gatenby FSF Fans? Stadium ? Kingsmeadow Jack Goodchild Way 422a Kingston Road Kingston Upon Thames Surrey England KT1 3PB. Just in case you?re not familiar with Early Day Motions, only backbench MPs are able to sign them. Westminster Government Ministers are not able to. Parliamentary Parliamentary Secretaries (PPS) can sign them, although this can be problematic. It?s still worth you and your members writing/emailing MPs who are Government ministers/PPSs to express your support for the choice to sit or stand at top games though. PLEASE PASS ON THIS INFORMATION TO ALL YOUR MEMBERS, AND ANY OTHER SUPPORTER ORGANISATIONS, FANZINES OR WEBSITES YOU?RE IN TOUCH WITH. IT?S TIME FOR SUPPORTERS TO RECLAIM THE GAME! Finally so there is no confusion, I am NOT contacting you on behalf of Supporters Direct. I mention the fact that I am an SD director merely by way of personal introduction. I?m sending this email as part of my duties with the FSF. I?ve also attached a brief talking points document on safe standing. Best wishes and Happy New Year Steven Powell Head of Development Football Supporters? Federation http://www.fsf.org.uk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1962 Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Who would pay for the re-introduction of standing areas? If its the club then we cant improve the team? Good idea but unrealistic in the current financial climate in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintkev Posted January 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Perhaps John, but perhaps it's one of these things that would pay for itself... i.e. increase of attendance?!? Plus it would be good for the clubs to have a choice and therefore fans... If it did get re-introduced... the club can always come out and say, it would cost X amount to re-introduce standing and I'll get saving myself... Also on a non-selfish basis, it would maybe see an end to the stupid rules that keep the SPL such a closed-shop?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victor Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 The all seater stadia rule is a farce anyway. A politically correct, knee jerk reaction that only benefitted club accountants. If it was made for 100% safety reasons, why were Fulham given a seasons grace to allow standing when they went into the Premiership not so long ago??? Bring back standing - bring back atmosphere! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1962 Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Perhaps John, but perhaps it's one of these things that would pay for itself... i.e. increase of attendance?!? Plus it would be good for the clubs to have a choice and therefore fans... If it did get re-introduced... the club can always come out and say, it would cost X amount to re-introduce standing and I'll get saving myself... Also on a non-selfish basis, it would maybe see an end to the stupid rules that keep the SPL such a closed-shop?! I would love it to happen Kev. And would love to get rid of the huge gaps between fans. The best atmospheres for me were when went to places like Brockville, East End Park and Firhill where there was only about 10 yards and a fence between us. Hopefully nowadays it could be done without the hooliganism. I also think it could pay for itself but think that any board would be reluctant to take that risk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victor Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 I also think it could pay for itself but think that any board would be reluctant to take that risk. Sponsorship! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scobby_SJFC Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Perhaps John, but perhaps it's one of these things that would pay for itself... i.e. increase of attendance?!? Plus it would be good for the clubs to have a choice and therefore fans... If it did get re-introduced... the club can always come out and say, it would cost X amount to re-introduce standing and I'll get saving myself... Also on a non-selfish basis, it would maybe see an end to the stupid rules that keep the SPL such a closed-shop?! As good an idea as it is, would people really come back to the Saints just because they can stand up? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1962 Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Sponsorship! Maybe! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintkev Posted January 10, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 As good an idea as it is, would people really come back to the Saints just because they can stand up? Some would... it makes it better for us who would like to stand and sing and better for those who like to sit down without being surrounded by us ruffians? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scobby_SJFC Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 Some would... it makes it better for us who would like to stand and sing and better for those who like to sit down without being surrounded by us ruffians? Shhh am trying to watch the game Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sleepless Posted January 10, 2007 Report Share Posted January 10, 2007 A politically correct, knee jerk reaction that only benefitted club accountants. Well that's patent bollocks. Accountants would want as many bodies in as possible, which means standing not sitting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McEwan1884 Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 I hope it happens again anyway! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Victor Posted January 11, 2007 Report Share Posted January 11, 2007 Well that's patent bollocks. Accountants would want as many bodies in as possible, which means standing not sitting. Well that's total simplistic bull. If that was the case they would charge everyone a £1. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave.j Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 hi there... just to let you know and say thanks i have lifted the original post on this thread for debate on the ptfc.net forum thanks again dave.j jags fan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scobby_SJFC Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Although its a good idea, what would be the point in demolishing a stand to build a standing are? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chopper Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Although its a good idea, what would be the point in demolishing a stand to build a standing are? You wouldn't need to - as with the majority of modern grounds, especially in Europe, the seating is only bolted on to what would be considered "safe" terracing. A proportion of a stand can have the seats removed reasonably easily and given the required safety measures to allow it to be used. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintkev Posted January 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 You wouldn't need to - as with the majority of modern grounds, especially in Europe, the seating is only bolted on to what would be considered "safe" terracing. A proportion of a stand can have the seats removed reasonably easily and given the required safety measures to allow it to be used. And the point would be to allow folk the choice of what way they want to watch their football, and stopping people that want a seat being surrounded by folk like me who get a bit excitable at games, and are up and down off their seat like something that gets up and down off a seat a lot!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldPoster Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 and are up and down off their seat like something that gets up and down off a seat a lot!! Like a receptionist at a brothel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintkev Posted January 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Like a receptionist at a brothel Why would a receptionist need to get up and surely it would depend on how busy said brothel was!?!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldPoster Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Why would a receptionist need to get up and surely it would depend on how busy said brothel was!?!? i'll take your word for that then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintkev Posted January 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 i'll take your word for that then Never been in one in my life, but common sense would dicatate they wouldn't need to get up very often, other receptionists don't! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldPoster Posted January 15, 2007 Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 Never been in one in my life, but common sense would dicatate they wouldn't need to get up very often, other receptionists don't! would they not have to get up to take you to the room/hooker your were visiting? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintkev Posted January 15, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 15, 2007 would they not have to get up to take you to the room/hooker your were visiting? No idea mate, you tell me... most receptionists give you directions so as not to leave reception unmanned! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Corned Beef Posted January 16, 2007 Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 One aspect of this i think people are wrong about in respect of going back to standing at games is the idea it would increase attendances. Would a significant amount of people who dont go to games anyway be won over by the fact they get to stand rather than sit? What a lot of nonsense. Theres far more pressing issues within football needing sorted than this rose tinted crusade! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintkev Posted January 16, 2007 Author Report Share Posted January 16, 2007 Every little bit helps... I don't have mad ideas of the grounds suddenly being packed, but I'm sure that more folk would attend as the atmosphere and banter would improve. What exactly can people have against this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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