I would have thought that given the successful trials at Celtic and the commonplace practice abroad our FA would have had a more enlightened view on safe standing. But seemingly we will continue to be behind the times. Considering 3/4 of Premier League grounds have huge sections constantly standing (including Liverpool's Kop) and almost all away support stands at game in the top two tiers, surely the time has come to trial it in England?
It's interesting that the celtic 3000 standing capacity is all season ticket and they have another 2000 on the waiting list. However, it's not like the old days when, you found your mates and all stood together. Each supporter has an allocated place and the stand is strictly stewarded.
Just had a look at a few videos on YouTube, the atmosphere looks absolutely brilliant. Would love us to do something like that with half the Ponty, or more likely part of the West Stand when we finally come to replace it. According to the BBC article there's nothing in the law which prevents it, it just depends on how the legislation is interpreted and thus implemented
It’s stupid anyway, I never sit down at Oakwell always stood up, away at Brighton last season as we walked into the seating area from the concourse, looking at my ticket and showing it to a steward, she said it’s unreserved today, to the left if you intend on sitting to the right if you’d rather stand, worked perfectly, to the back of the stand if you want to stand lower down if your going to sit you don’t need safe standing ****** we’ve been standing safely for years at Oakwell.
I watched the video interviewing the ground safety officer, I was surprised at how many Premier league teams have been to look at it. Apparently it came about because a group of supporters constantly refused to sit down and after a campaign the authorities saw sense.
I would love for the lower part of the west stand from the tunnel to the half way line to be converted to safe standing. It would remove those who currently like to stand up for large parts of the game and improve others people days out who get stuck sat behind these people. I think it would also create a better atmosphere in the ground and may pull more people to watch Barnsley (I'm aware the increase would be marginal with our current pricing). Realistically if planning was approved how much would it cost? Can't imagine it been a fortune to remove current seats and do the concrete work necessary for the correct levelling. After the game close the closest turnstiles to the away end and filter people through the ones closer to the pointe end to deter fans leaving from the ground mixing.
It says it was rejected by the Government, no mention of the FA. Although I suspect the FA opposed it as well.
I think the area between the Ponty end & the west stand could be developed into a safe standing area , thus utilising spare ground & increasing the capacity of the ground , obviously there would be a fair cost involved as it would require a roof erecting over the area but I think it would be well worth it
I doesn't increase the capacity mate, the safe standing barriers replace the seats one-for-one (since they can also be used as seats), the only increase in capacity would come from using the north end of the West stand which currently stands empty, but provides a home for our flag.
You are missing what I am proposing , I am on about the area between the Ponty & the west stand where currently it is just no mans land apart from when television are there & they stick a portacabin studio there , it would therefore develop an unused area & thus increase the capacity of the ground
Sorry for the misunderstanding mate. That's where me and my dad always used to stand down the front near the corner flag so I'd be delighted if it ever happened.
