Saturday 2nd October, 2021 at 10:02am
Safe Standing Allowed
Previous reports and laws written after football disasters (Taylor Report) wanted everyone to sit at matches and have access to their own seat to prevent overcrowding and crushes. You just have to watch television pictures of football matches and look around Firhill to see that is not happening. Everyone has access to a seat but a percentage stand throughout the full ninety minutes.
A long-awaited announcement was made on Wednesday 22 September by the Sports Ground Safety Authority Clubs, “from 1 January 2022, the UK Government will be implementing a historic change which will allow safe standing in the Premier and EFL”. https://sgsa.org.uk/licensedstanding/
Rolling out safe standing will not be without its challenges.
Interestingly a White Paper, written by Jon Darch September 2021, discusses the “Potential Loss of Capacity” and indicates that “a seated person typically occupies 460mm of lateral space, whereas the same person standing will occupy 550mm of lateral space, increasing to 660mm in cold temperatures, when spectators are likely to wear bulkier clothes” SGSA, Supplementary Guidance 01. Seats incorporating rails also vary in depth when closed. Taking account of both these issues provides an example that a row of 28 seats could be reduced to 23 supporters standing shoulder to shoulder.
Here in Scotland a research paper, including supporter survey, was published by Supporters Direct Scotland (SDS) in 2014 https://www.supporters-direct.scot/ and Scottish Football Supporters Association (SFSA) scottishfsa.org in 2015 examined the topic.
In Scotland we know that between Seasons 2016 and 2019 within Celtic Park and Rugby Park conversion of a number of seats took place to permit “safe standing – railed seating” for and meeting regulations for all footballing competitions.
The future will require Club Boards to take cognisance of the pluses and minuses of safe standing areas including financial investment; improving match day atmosphere and supporter safety.
There is no answer to the question “How long might supporters wait to see the installation of railed seating areas to ensure safe standing across Scottish grounds and leagues?”
Supporters Direct Scotland –
Partick Thistle Supporters Association “The Jags Trust” as a full member of Supporters Direct Scotland has been given notice that the 2021 online AGM via Zoom, will take place on Sunday 10th October at 3pm.
PTSA – The Jags Trust members should check in advance with the Jags Trust Secretary that their membership has not lapsed. Renewal form www.jagstrust.com
Today The Jags Trust Board welcomes to Firhill, the Chairperson, Office Bearers and Committee Members of Ayr United FC “The Honest Men Trust” for SPFL cinch Championship match.
Morag McHaffie,
Chairperson PTSA “The Jags Trust” and Supporters Direct Scotland Council.
