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| Ealing Road terrace |
The
Football Supporters’ Federation has started a campaign to try and make people
aware of the differences between old-style English football terraces and modern
standing accommodation, with a possible view to installing safe standing
throughout football stadia in England.
The
FSF refers to the ‘rail seating’ used in Germany and points out that this kind
of terracing is enjoyed by clubs and fans alike, and “which is passed safe by
the Bundesliga”.
John
Darch, an FSF member, told The Guardian, “We have to help people
understand we are not talking about bringing back old-style terraces……..
English
football’s top two divisions have been without terracing since, largely, 1994.
The Taylor Report, at the time, was seen to be blaming terraces for the
ninety-six innocent people who lost their lives, but it is now believed that it
was actually the fault of South Yorkshire Police and the fences around the
stadium.
There
are still terraces in English football, most notably at Scunthorpe United in
the Championship. Standing areas are also quite frequently found in Leagues One
and Two, as well as in non-league football.
The
FSF argues that terracing would not only add to the enjoyment of a football
match for many (as most fans stand at games, anyway) and improve the atmosphere
(as you are more likely to sing, chant and generally make a noise if you are
stood up), but it would also be cheaper for the fans.
A
Premier League football match costs around thirty to forty pounds for a single
ticket. In the Bundesliga, to see, say, Borrussia Dortmund (currently top in
Germany’s top division) it costs around £12 to stand. On average, the price to
stand and watch a Bundesliga match is £10.50-£12.20, around a quarter of the
standard prices for seats at top English Premier League clubs.
Of
course, terracing in football always stirs up images of Hillsborough, amongst
other disasters. Those innocent ninety-six should not be forgotten and the
incident opened the eyes of The FA and English football.
The
FSF, though, is simply stating that safe standing in English football should at
least be up for debate. Some have come out and supported the campaign, while
others are strongly against it.
But,
what is your view? As a fan, do you want to see terracing back in football? Or
are you happier in the safer seating arrangements?
This
article originally appeared on sports website Sports Haze, which is now
unfortunately defunct.
