Safe Standing Back at St James' Park?

For those of us old enough to remember, the chance to stand amongst thousands of fellow fans on the concrete terraces, singing, jumping around or acting the looney on scoring a goal was an experience in itself and that's before I mention the smell of stale urine, B.O. or whatever bodily function the random person next to you smelt of.

However, there's no doubt it gave a massive edge to an atmosphere at a game and was a primary factor in the addiction of going to see a game live in my opinion, although the Hillsborough disaster and other 'near misses' on occasion proved that it had it's dangers.

Done correctly though, 'Safe Standing' is an option which would bring back some of the atmosphere missing as well as enable a club to increase the revenue stream by greater customer number.

The Football Supporters' Federation or FSF (for short) believes that football supporters should have the choice to watch football from a safe standing area, at matches in England and Wales.

On a personal note, we can introduce a safe standing area in the current seating areas around the pitch and what probably holds around 5,000 seats could easily convert to 8 or 9,000 standing spaces.

Contained within their website is information and videos on the why's, the what for's and the how's of making the idea work.

It's already supported by the likes of Aston Villa and Peterborough but needs greater numbers to get this great idea off the ground


THE FSF'S AIMS: To persuade the Government, football authorities and football clubs to accept the case for introducing, on a trial basis, limited sections of standing areas at selected stadiums of Premier League and Championship football clubs.



The FSF needs all fans to help. What can you do?



· Step 1 - Sign the FSF's Safe Standing Petition (if you haven't already)…

· Step 2 - Email your MP from this link, or visit their office, and ask them to sign Roger Godsiff's Safe Standing EDM 573...

· Step 3 - Let us know what response you get via safestanding@fsf.org.uk. We want to see which MPs sign the EDM and will follow up those who don't.

· Step 4 - Spread the word. Send this page to your mates via email, Facebook, Twitter or whatever other social media the cool kids use nowadays. If you're involved with a supporters' organisation, fanzine or website use your links to promote this page.



Want to do more? Contact the FSF. In the coming weeks we expect to see a great deal more activity and need volunteers who are willing to commit time and fight for the cause. Email: safestanding@fsf.org.uk.

That Website again just in case you missed the link in blue (above) is here. A good idea to bring back the atmosphere at games needs some serious consideration.

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.