[Official Site] JON FLATMAN APPOINTED AS BARNSLEY FC CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Sorry for not putting a face to a name. Id like to blame it on old age but Ive always been terrible with names / faces. I remember having to write down notes about people I met at freshers week at Uni for this very reason

 

Ponty, next to corner stand I’m guessing. Don’t think it’s a particularly big job. No structural or building work needed. Just a case of removing current seats and bolting new rail seating in. Could be done in close season, no problem.

 

Not sure which one we are going for but there’s a single rail system that is being used more and more since it doesn’t mean replacing all the seats. Lincoln have just done it




Think we’ll also have to replicate whatever we do in the away end.

My understanding is we’ve applied to the Sports Ground Safety Authority with our plans. There are a bunch of different agencies / authorities we need to get approval from so there’s no guarantees that we will get approval or any official timeline but Jon seems to be very committed to try and make this happen. We are getting hammered after every game by EFL/SYP/SAG due to the persistent standing in the Ponte end.

 

Aren’t most standing often already in that area? I’m sure there will be consultation as part of the process and the club would go the extra yard to accommodate those who wanted to move out of the area if that’s where it is. (Which you would assume it is)

 

The Supporters’ Trust has lobbied the club for years to introduce safe standing areas. We even brought a rail seating demo system to Oakwell some time ago to try and get the club interested in the idea. It’s been a constant request at Fans Forums, our meetings over the years.
I’m not saying that to take any sort of credit for this being implemented at Barnsley as I don’t think it has had any bearing on the decision since most of the people who we‘ve ever spoken to about this issue have left. The point I’m making is it’s something our fans have wanted before it has ever become an issue at grounds up and down the country because of the crack down by the EFL. I’m not sure I believe it’s unsafe for those who are in OR1 to stand as they do currently or have done since ever since The Ponte End was built so I’m not going to take the view you that do on this. Give the people the choice. I don’t want to stand so I wouldn’t want to be in a safe standing area.
There’s been a lack of choice for people to enjoy football the way they want to since the Taylor report which probably went too far with regards to this issue.
I also think as more and more clubs follow our lead this will help with issues at away games by providing provision for standing areas for those happy to stand and seating for those who do not. I’ve mentioned before I went through a time where I suffered with Rheumatoid Arthritis particularly in my knees due to a type of vasculitis I have. This made away games where I ended up having to stand for large periods of time very very painful.
I don’t know the answer about people being punished but it’s something the club have to take seriously. Often these things are dealt with quietly at the end of the game or in the days following a game.

 

You’re being offended on other peoples behalf. Isnt it better to canvass the opinion of people in this area? Assuming thats where the area is, people have stood in OR1 as long as I can remember. You dont get a seat in that area becuase you want to stay seated all match do you? Shouldnt the club understand how many people will feel like you think they will and work with them to find a solution?

 

I do have sympathy for those who can’t stand. However I imagine they are already being impeded by the people standing. It obviously isn’t the section for them. My bigger worry is the potential for the standing to spill into neighbouring sections of the Ponty, that previously didn’t typically stand. I guess we’ll see how that plays out.

However I personally think it’s perfectly legitimate for a bunch of people who want to stand, to be able to stand in a safe, designated area. It’s no different to having a family stand, where it’s expected that people will stay sat down, and not start effin n jeffin.

Football needs to cater for many groups. IMO this is one of them.