City fan, Manny Dominguez, is presently running a campaign, Stand Up For The Bantams, aimed at persuading Bradford City to set aside safe standing areas for supporters. To visit the website click here.
Readers may also be interested in the national campaign, Stand Up Sit Down.
The Liberal Democrats resolution is shown in full, below.
Safe Standing at Football Matches
Conference notes that:
A. Since 1994 all football clubs in the Premiership and the Football League Championship have been required to provide all-seater accommodation.
B. Model ground regulations recommended by the Premier and Football Leagues stipulate that standing in seated areas should be forbidden.
C. A sizeable minority of supporters who wish to watch football whilst standing continue to stand in seated areas.
D. Spectators standing in seated areas can create a number of hazards particularly for those seated around them.
Conference in particular notes that:
i) Standing in seating areas, and efforts to enforce the ban on it, is a significant cause of conflict between supporters, their clubs and the authorities.
ii) Safe standing areas operate safely and successfully at many European grounds, notably in Germany.
iii) Where customers have the choice to purchase tickets in either ‘sitting’ or ‘standing’ areas, the problem of seated spectators finding their views blocked by people standing is largely eliminated.
iv) Outside the top two divisions of English league football safe standing areas are permitted.
v) There is no recent evidence to suggest that standing spectators are any less safe at football matches than those who are seated.
Conference believes that the introduction of safe standing areas would:
a) Be extremely popular with supporters, both those who prefer to stand and those who (for whatever reasons including health or disability) prefer to sit.
b) Provide choice and promote social inclusion in the national game.
c) Positively assist the relationship between supporters and stewards by removing this area of potential conflict.
d) Most importantly, be safe.
Conference therefore calls upon the Government to:
1. Replace any regulations requiring spectators to be seated with new regulations clearly setting out standards under which a safe standing area may be licensed.
2. Direct the Football Licensing Authority to prepare suitable guidance under which domestic football clubs, working with their supporters, may introduce safe standing areas.
Applicability: England and Wales.
Note: BCST is an independent football supporters trust and has no political affiliations.