|
Post by TOP MONNER on Jan 2, 2022 20:42:11 GMT 1
Chelsea today became the first Premier League team to trial safe standing at a football match, three-and-a-half years after we pioneered it here at the Meadow.
It got me thinking back to the passionate discussions that were had for years leading up to it and all the campaining and hoops that were jumped through to achieve it's return. But how do people feel about it now?
There's no doubt it's been a success. People now have the option to stand if they wish, albeit restricted to a couple of rows behind the goal.
Was there ever any hope or expectation that it could go beyond this or was what we have now the desirable outcome for everyone? Mission accomplished if you like.
From where I sit in Block 10, it looks like the standing area is pretty full most games but does anyone know if it actually sells out?
I remember being adamant about it's return but through a combination of old age and maybe novelty wearing off a little bit, I prefer to sit a few rows in front of it given the opportunity.
How does everyone else feel about it?
|
|
|
Post by ssshrew on Jan 2, 2022 20:50:13 GMT 1
It’s great for everyone who is there. I’m old too but I stand at away grounds whenever I can. The media may forget, but I won’t, we were the first and that can never be altered.
I love seeing it in operation and there we heard some Sheffield Wednesday fans being very complimentary about it when we were on our way out.
|
|
|
Post by FloreatShrew on Jan 2, 2022 20:57:27 GMT 1
Its brilliant and I feel so lucky to have it. Been at away matches and seen people fall over while standing. Not at ours.
Proud.
|
|
|
Post by Feedo Gnasher on Jan 2, 2022 21:02:37 GMT 1
It shows that our club can make huge successes of things when they actually take a risk and try something different, would love to see that sort of ambition and appetite in other areas.
As for the fans that frequent it, and the atmosphere they create - tremendous. The support through thick and thin this season has been brilliant.
|
|
|
Post by martinshrew on Jan 2, 2022 21:03:33 GMT 1
The only thing better would be if it was the entire stand, but you can't have everything.
|
|
|
Post by GrizzlyShrew on Jan 2, 2022 22:41:28 GMT 1
Maybe it should be extended a little. If that proves popular them a little bit more till we get close to what its take up is.
I stopped going when standing wasnt an option (ie new ground). I've got out of the habit of going to games now so it's not an issue for me but if I still went that's where I would want to go (though I was still in my 40s when last stood on the Riverside, I'm 62 now so standing up for 2 hours might not be quite so good these days).
|
|
|
Post by armchairfan on Jan 3, 2022 12:58:47 GMT 1
The atmosphere certainly came through on the radio - excellent! One thing I did find depressing in the subsequent media coverage of the Chelsea-Liverpool match was the comment by the lead Police Officer on this matter, from ACPO or the College of Policing, that fans standing have a greater propensity for offensive behaviour/chants; since when has one's physical situation had that sort of bearing? Anyone can be offensive from a sedentary or standing position, if it is in their character... Perhaps he expressed himself badly or I misunderstood.
|
|
|
Post by kenwood on Jan 3, 2022 13:08:21 GMT 1
The atmosphere certainly came through on the radio - excellent! One thing I did find depressing in the subsequent media coverage of the Chelsea-Liverpool match was the comment by the lead Police Officer on this matter, from ACPO or the College of Policing, that fans standing have a greater propensity for offensive behaviour/chants; since when has one's physical situation had that sort of bearing? Anyone can be offensive from a sedentary or standing position, if it is in their character... Perhaps he expressed himself badly or I misunderstood. Perhaps not . Perhaps he heard a fair few from that area shouting “ Dicks Out “.
|
|
|
Post by Pilch on Jan 3, 2022 13:10:47 GMT 1
I think we should have it at the back of block 19 too, and maybe the bottom half where its currently fenced off maybe they could introduce some kiddy slides ( safe sliding ), this would make it easier and safer to get near the front to confront the away fans after a goal
|
|
|
Post by stuttgartershrew on Jan 3, 2022 13:14:17 GMT 1
No idea how Chelsea are handling it but I don't get that people are paying the same for standing as they would for a seat (as they do at Town).
I always thought and hoped that standing would bring about for cheaper tickets for a younger demographic who are more likely to make a noise and create an atmosphere (which I think would benefit all; the club, fans and players).
|
|
|
Post by Pilch on Jan 3, 2022 13:19:07 GMT 1
No idea how Chelsea are handling it but I don't get that people are paying the same for standing as they would for a seat (as they do at Town). I always thought and hoped that standing would bring about for cheaper tickets for a younger demographic who are more likely to make a noise and create an atmosphere (which I think would benefit all; the club, fans and players). the seats cost more than a normal seat, fans have paid for a seat and stood, clubs are not going to go to all th expense to produce a cheaper seat when its what fans are crying out for, im surprised they dont actually charge more
|
|
|
Post by northwestman on Jan 3, 2022 13:23:36 GMT 1
I think we should have it at the back of block 19 too, and maybe the bottom half where its currently fenced off maybe they could introduce some kiddy slides ( safe sliding ), this would make it easier and safer to get near the front to confront the away fans after a goal very valid point about the back of Block 19.
|
|
|
Post by suttonshrew on Jan 3, 2022 13:42:29 GMT 1
to date its been a huge success, that's down to a few factors though. The stewarding team in the area were chosen as they knew our fans well and we knew any potential hiccups would be quickly resolved. But the most important part is the fans, South Stand flags group and all who stand have made it their own, they knew that if there were issues that area would be looked on more stringently than others, and in fairness we should never have had any concern as they have all been amazing and we will try and continue to back them with whatever they need to keep improving the atmosphere in the ground.
As for expanding it, if it sells our every week and people still want to go there then i have no issue discussing that with the club, they know what a massive success its been and backed us all the way and i couldn't be any prouder of what 'little old' Shrewsbury has achieved.
|
|
|
Post by davycrockett on Jan 3, 2022 14:10:29 GMT 1
to date its been a huge success, that's down to a few factors though. The stewarding team in the area were chosen as they knew our fans well and we knew any potential hiccups would be quickly resolved. But the most important part is the fans, South Stand flags group and all who stand have made it their own, they knew that if there were issues that area would be looked on more stringently than others, and in fairness we should never have had any concern as they have all been amazing and we will try and continue to back them with whatever they need to keep improving the atmosphere in the ground. As for expanding it, if it sells our every week and people still want to go there then i have no issue discussing that with the club, they know what a massive success its been and backed us all the way and i couldn't be any prouder of what 'little old' Shrewsbury has achieved. It seems to get busier but the whole ground doesn’t sell out every week so that’s unlikely and never going to happen. It does seem to almost sell out in the popular block 9/10 area so maybe something the club should consider still. When the announcement was made for the current trial it said fans had to be given the choice with seats that could be lowered or raised, yet ours have to be locked. Also with the current trial away fans have to be included. Will we see any changes to follow these rules do you think? Just noticed the seats at Chelsea don’t seem lockable? theathletic.com/news/chelsea-city-united-and-spurs-given-license-for-safe-standing-from-next-year/FyZIZxcqQB1V/
|
|
|
Post by staffordshrew on Jan 3, 2022 14:37:07 GMT 1
I understand Dave Edwards was a safe stander yesterday, can't find the picture.
|
|
|
Post by WATR on Jan 3, 2022 15:41:08 GMT 1
I understand Dave Edwards was a safe stander yesterday, can't find the picture.
|
|
|
Post by stuttgartershrew on Jan 3, 2022 15:45:16 GMT 1
to date its been a huge success, that's down to a few factors though. The stewarding team in the area were chosen as they knew our fans well and we knew any potential hiccups would be quickly resolved. But the most important part is the fans, South Stand flags group and all who stand have made it their own, they knew that if there were issues that area would be looked on more stringently than others, and in fairness we should never have had any concern as they have all been amazing and we will try and continue to back them with whatever they need to keep improving the atmosphere in the ground. As for expanding it, if it sells our every week and people still want to go there then i have no issue discussing that with the club, they know what a massive success its been and backed us all the way and i couldn't be any prouder of what 'little old' Shrewsbury has achieved. Just wondering, was there any discussion to make that area of the ground cheaper to attend? Is it at all possible? Or would there need to be some changes to some regulations to allow that to happen (which may not be in place at the moment as we might not be officially accepting that fans are standing at games at the moment)?
|
|
|
Post by davycrockett on Jan 3, 2022 15:47:56 GMT 1
I understand Dave Edwards was a safe stander yesterday, can't find the picture. He’d have done better off the bench than Pyke to see the game out
|
|
|
Post by Valerioch on Jan 3, 2022 15:49:47 GMT 1
I expect the media have said so, but claiming yesterday being the Premier League’s first safe standing game is absolute nonsense
It’s been in the South Bank at Wolves, Spurs new stadium and Anfield for years now - we will find that out next week!
|
|
|
Post by WATR on Jan 3, 2022 15:51:22 GMT 1
The first couple of years were a bit strange as there was a mix of people who'd sat there before, people trying it out for the novelty factor and people who'd moved from 18/19 determined to get that atmosphere going in the South Stand too (I count myself in the latter group). Now it's settled down it's really come on massively and the South Stand as a whole seems to be more full and more noisy with every game (obviously results on the pitch help that!) The drummer also deserves enormous credit for leading and sustaining the chants fantastically.
What is being introduced in the Premier League is a very poor immitation of what we have, provides much less space and inevitably people end up using the seats for the 'lesser' games and only standing for the 'bigger' games.
|
|
|
Post by blueboy61 on Jan 3, 2022 18:00:17 GMT 1
Agree about the drummer and the singers too and makes for a tremendous atmosphere. Love the Daniel Udoh and Steve Cotterill chants, real classy stuff. Good that block 19 gives us noise in the other half of the pitch too. 'Surround Sound'. My thanks to everyone involved.
|
|
|
Post by Stowmarket Shrew on Jan 3, 2022 18:19:15 GMT 1
I've been in the safe standing area every single game I've attended since it opened, with the exception of Northampton last season when only the west stand was open. I don't have the words to express how much I love it, so I won't try.
|
|
|
Post by staffordshrew on Feb 2, 2023 16:57:13 GMT 1
Some supporters will be permitted to stand during the EFL Cup final between Manchester United and Newcastle United. The match, on 26 February, will be the first major domestic English men's final in almost 35 years in which standing will be allowed.
Both clubs will be allocated 867 seats within new safe standing areas located behind each goal at Wembley Stadium.
|
|