dnmacf Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 When we beat Sheffield Utd 5-1 at home in 1975, me & my mates at the back of the Holte End, insanely celebrating a brilliant goal by Chico Hamilton found ourselves almost down behind the goal some 30 seconds later still wildly celebrating. That's what it was like in those days. Everybody went crazy & you could easily find yourselves 30 or 40 Yds away from your normal standing position after being swept away by the madness & excitement of the crowd. Wonderful days. Being born in 91, I was never able to experience standing either. This experience sounds crazy though, so far removed from football stadiums today, somewhat brings images of being in crowds at gigs to mind. If they can allow 2000 fans to be pressed openly against a single barrier at a gig, there isn't a doubt in my mind that the safe standing option would pose any risk to crowds. It's probably safer than seats even as it creates a taller divide between fans, especially if fans are standing in seating areas anyway, ie. upper Holte or anywhere in Villa Park when a goal in scored. It's the perfect model but any suggestion of standing will be quashed by the media and overly negative commentators who have rarely even stepped foot in a football stadium and think things are still like 1989. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
villa-revolution Posted July 28, 2013 Share Posted July 28, 2013 When we beat Sheffield Utd 5-1 at home in 1975, me & my mates at the back of the Holte End, insanely celebrating a brilliant goal by Chico Hamilton found ourselves almost down behind the goal some 30 seconds later still wildly celebrating. That's what it was like in those days. Everybody went crazy & you could easily find yourselves 30 or 40 Yds away from your normal standing position after being swept away by the madness & excitement of the crowd. Wonderful days. Being born in 91, I was never able to experience standing either. This experience sounds crazy though, so far removed from football stadiums today, somewhat brings images of being in crowds at gigs to mind. If they can allow 2000 fans to be pressed openly against a single barrier at a gig, there isn't a doubt in my mind that the safe standing option would pose any risk to crowds. It's probably safer than seats even as it creates a taller divide between fans, especially if fans are standing in seating areas anyway, ie. upper Holte or anywhere in Villa Park when a goal in scored. It's the perfect model but any suggestion of standing will be quashed by the media and overly negative commentators who have rarely even stepped foot in a football stadium and think things are still like 1989. The authorities are just killjoys & totally out of touch with the real world. Pray they don't get wind of the gigs you attend otherwise they will insist that you sit alone in silence to avoid noise polution & drink small sips of natural spring water every 4 hours. As for the big `H`? Be very worried my friend because some dangerous civil servant somewhere will ram a capsule up your arse because they'll think that the word on the street is that H is for Heamorrhoids ps - Don't buy any T shirts at that concert - that will really blow their minds! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulC Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 There was nothing wrong with Villa Park before all seating was introduced...The Holte End was amazing fun then too. I'd bring back standing to all of the ground if I could, just like it use to be.Is it a case of looking back with rose tinted glasses. Never remember it being all standing. I think the witton Lane stand was built before the world cup in 66, guess that might have been standing before that. The trinity road was half and half. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fun Factory Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 It was really before my time but I believe the old Holte end was a safe terrace. It had clear gangways after the crush barriers and was well maintained. Of the terrible football disasters that have occured in post war British football perhaps you could only say Burnden Park was directly due to the terrace collapsing. Ibrox was a stairwell collapse, Bradford due to a wooden stand and Hillsborough due to poor crowd management and fencing. Sorry to be a bit morbid. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rovers13 Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 I'm sure lambert would be all for it having experienced dortmunds brilliant south stand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreeVillan Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 It was really before my time but I believe the old Holte end was a safe terrace. It had clear gangways after the crush barriers and was well maintained. Of the terrible football disasters that have occured in post war British football perhaps you could only say Burnden Park was directly due to the terrace collapsing. Ibrox was a stairwell collapse, Bradford due to a wooden stand and Hillsborough due to poor crowd management and fencing. Sorry to be a bit morbid. That's not morbid mate, its point put very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jon_c Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 There isn't quite the voting option for me, I'd vote for a standing area as I get people would like it. And it is much safer nowadays. Though personally I'd rather use the seats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonLax Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 I would suggest that the reason the premier league has become the most popular league in the world to watch is because it was the first league with all seater stadiums. It pioneered the 'family friendly' atmosphere which massively increased the number of people interested. A number of other top leagues (Italy especially) are still yet to modernise and catch up and are dying a slow death because of it. I like the idea of a safe standing area for fans who want it but also I think the all seated stadiums had a positive effect on the game when they were introduced. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRO Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Yes, I would vote in favour of a safe standing area....provided THEY would use it. It would then enable older supporters like me to sit comfortable, watch the game for which I have paid handsomely for and not be up and down like a "whores draws" draws stretching my hamstrings. Folk going to the match knowing they are obliged to sit down and are defiantly intent on standing and have no consideration for other fans infuriate me. It's this I'm alright jack **** you attitude that causes trouble. Oh we'll...I've started it now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulC Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 If it is re-introduced then like before it should be made a lot cheaper than seats. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brommy Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Yes, I would vote in favour of a safe standing area....provided THEY would use it. It would then enable older supporters like me to sit comfortable, watch the game for which I have paid handsomely for and not be up and down like a "whores draws" draws stretching my hamstrings. Folk going to the match knowing they are obliged to sit down and are defiantly intent on standing and have no consideration for other fans infuriate me. It's this I'm alright jack **** you attitude that causes trouble. Oh we'll...I've started it now. An interesting point TRO and one I'd genuinely like you to expand on. How many standing occurrences are acceptable in front of you during the course of a 90 minute match? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRO Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Yes, I would vote in favour of a safe standing area....provided THEY would use it. It would then enable older supporters like me to sit comfortable, watch the game for which I have paid handsomely for and not be up and down like a "whores draws" draws stretching my hamstrings. Folk going to the match knowing they are obliged to sit down and are defiantly intent on standing and have no consideration for other fans infuriate me. It's this I'm alright jack **** you attitude that causes trouble. Oh we'll...I've started it now. An interesting point TRO and one I'd genuinely like you to expand on. How many standing occurrences are acceptable in front of you during the course of a 90 minute match? ...when my thighs are bigger than the players....I think enough Seriously, it depends how good the game is or if its a good looking lady disrupting me. That's blown my bloody arguement now hasn't it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRO Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Yes, I would vote in favour of a safe standing area....provided THEY would use it. It would then enable older supporters like me to sit comfortable, watch the game for which I have paid handsomely for and not be up and down like a "whores draws" draws stretching my hamstrings. Folk going to the match knowing they are obliged to sit down and are defiantly intent on standing and have no consideration for other fans infuriate me. It's this I'm alright jack **** you attitude that causes trouble. Oh we'll...I've started it now. An interesting point TRO and one I'd genuinely like you to expand on. How many standing occurrences are acceptable in front of you during the course of a 90 minute match? ...when my thighs are bigger than the players....I think enough is enough. Seriously, it depends how good the game is or if its a good looking lady disrupting me. That's blown my bloody arguement now hasn't it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juteface Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 I only watch on telly but regulary attend LoI games where standing areas are common. I feel they help add to the atmosphere and it gives the rowdier ones somewhere to be rowdy ;-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fun Factory Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Just to have a choice would be nice. I reckon the vast majority like to seat but some would like to stand- probably 80-20 on a average match I would say. Its far more dangerous at present to have persistent standing in seated areas. People can fall over and hit the seats below them when a goal is scored as there is no crush barriers. I have been to league one/two matches in which there are areas in seated sections which people stand even though there is terracing at other parts of the ground. That is just daft. You also get a guilt complex by standing too much as you may hinder other peoples viewing if they like to sit. Older chaps and kids and such like. The premier league only idea to this so far it to stick two fingers in their ears, give out less away tickets or even lower capacities in stands. We just seem unable to have sensible discussion over this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LondonLax Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 The premier league don't have a lot of options available to them. It is currently against the law to allow fans to stand in the ground at matches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fun Factory Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 The premier league don't have a lot of options available to them. It is currently against the law to allow fans to stand in the ground at matches. Only in the top 2 flights. League 1 and 2 you can. Rugby league you can. Rugby Union you can. Makes no sense- take Peterborough United. If they had stayed up they would have had to build 2 new seated stands. Now they get relegated it is deemed safe. Baffling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danceoftheshamen Posted July 29, 2013 Share Posted July 29, 2013 Can't believe 22 folks have voted for "sit down & shut up!" So you'd rather sit & watch a game with no atmosphere in the stadium? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Webbs Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Can't believe 22 folks have voted for "sit down & shut up!" So you'd rather sit & watch a game with no atmosphere in the stadium? At least I'd be able to watch the game. I'd be fine with a section of the ground being used for standing as long as it didn't obstruct anyone's view. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulC Posted July 30, 2013 Share Posted July 30, 2013 Can't believe 22 folks have voted for "sit down & shut up!" So you'd rather sit & watch a game with no atmosphere in the stadium? To be fair the options are linited Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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