What are your thoughts on a terraced Kop in the new ground?

[Red_Polo]

The ones which advised the Taylor report.

You're talking about a report from over 17 years ago which was put forward to recommend the drastic changes that were so necessary at the time. And a ****ing good job it did too. But what people are proposing now is something that wasn't really under consideration by this report or these experts. Unlike the experts in Germany who did have to scrutinise the standing areas.

Standing in seating areas can be very safe, as I think it is on the Kop. It can also be quite unsafe as I think it is in a lot of the steeply built upper tier away stands in this country. I was at White Hart Lane this season (thanks Sara ) and the away section there are stood on a really steep gradient. If there were bars in front of each row as you get in organised standing areas then the risk would be less.

You may say 'oh well they aren't supposed to stand' but what's the point of something being safer in theory, if it isn't as safe in practice? There is a real case for this and it should be looked into. Not implemented without any thought. Looked into, evaluated, scrutinised, compared to the current situation. Trialled. And maybe at some point made legal under certain conditions.

[The Glove]

If you have standing then it shouldnt mean an increase in capacity. Standing now at a game you have space, hence there not being any serious accidents. Take out the seats and then let people go were they want will cause problems. People say it should be controlled by Police or Stewards well that wont work. Thats how fights break out. A steward tells people to move or not stand somewhere, they get a mouth full back. They come back with a copper then it all starts to get out of hand.

All this works in Germany but Germans seem to be more respectful and go by the rules. Here, fans get rat arsed and think they can do what they like.

[bazza76]

Monaco, Leverkusen - all have this sort of thing. But people are supplied with a seat effort and enough space to move and breathe properly.

Same thing in Milan
although trying to tell them to get out of your space is a bit of a problem

[Red Chilli]

You may say 'oh well they aren't supposed to stand' but what's the point of something being safer in theory, if it isn't as safe in practice? There is a real case for this and it should be looked into. Not implemented without any thought. Looked into, evaluated, scrutinised, compared to the current situation. Trialled. And maybe at some point made legal under certain conditions.

Well people can do anything the want. They can come in with handgrenades strapped to them if they want. You can't plan for people getting up to no good.
All things being equal, seats are safer than terraces.
Saying people will stand in seating areas is the same as saying well fans will all surge forward when standing.

[breffniboy]

I wouldn't dismiss a return to terracing out of hand. I've been at countless GAA matches here where the number of terrace tickets or number of admissions to the terraced area is strictly limited and managed.

The terraces would look packed but in reality, standing in Hill 16 or on the Hill in St. Tighernach's Park in Clones, you actually have MORE room than in a somewhat cramped stand.

It all comes down to management by authorities and policing. Hypothetically a tragedy or such like is possible for a seated area if the unthinkable happens and more people enter the ground than is safely permissable. But this never happens with stands, so if the same rigours of policing, ticketing, stewarding and monitoring of numbers were applied to terraces like they are here in Ireland at games with 18,000 people on them, I think bringing them back is something worth discussing instead of adopting a strict "Terrace Not Safe position, end of."

[Red Chilli]

It'd be interesting to hear Red Al's take on it. Not that he speaks or them, but I doubt the Police force would be in favour of a return to terraces.

Since terracing was outlawed hooliganism has dropped dramatically as has the number of arrests and attendances have steadily risen.

[leftpeg]

Standing in seating areas can be very safe, as I think it is on the Kop. It can also be quite unsafe as I think it is in a lot of the steeply built upper tier away stands in this country. I was at White Hart Lane this season (thanks Sara ) and the away section there are stood on a really steep gradient. If there were bars in front of each row as you get in organised standing areas then the risk would be less.

Exactly. If you DO stand in a situation like this, you've got a seat back that's usually well below the knee, and you can feel very unsteady with any sudden movement and there's nothing to steady yourself with.

[Red Chilli]

Exactly. If you DO stand in a situation like this, you've got a seat back that's usually well below the knee, and you can feel very unsteady with any sudden movement and there's nothing to steady yourself with.

So a simple solution would be to sit down, maybe?

[leftpeg]

So a simple solution would be to sit down, maybe?

As you've been saying all along.

[Red Chilli]

Here's a compromise then, put a restraining bar in front of every seat and then anyone can stand up.

[Red_Polo]

Here's a compromise then, put a restraining bar in front of every seat and then anyone can stand up.

That's basically what these organised standing areas are anyway!

[alunevans]

Let's be honest, this is one way of increasing the capacity of the new stadium.

The Gillet interview got me thinking though.

The law does not currently permit standing terraces at football grounds, but if it were to change, what would be your views? Most people stand through the games anyway, so would it be a big deal?

Obviously, our club has been affected more than any other by the terraces of old, but if they were made safer, could this work, or are the memories of the past too powerful?

My own view is that I just don't know.

Personally I'd love that. I can understand why emotionally its a tricky one, but for me I'd love to see a return to terracing. I don't see why standing necessarily implies unsafe.

[alunevans]

I'm not talking bollocks actually.
Was it not an all seater stadium?

I think it was wasn't it. Or is that bollocks too?

What's the motivation behind having a terraced area AA? (Serious question)

In my view, standing up is the natural way to watch footy. Which is why everyone stands up when theres goalmouth action. Its just one of them things that feels more natural on your feet, at least for many.

Same at gigs with many bands. I always see the Saw Doctors every December but didn't this year cos it was at the Phil and I thought it pointless to go to that gig and be made to sit down.

Many people prefer to be able to stand and watch the game so it'd be catering to those of us who do. That'd be the motivation in my view.

[alunevans]

I bet most of the people advocating the reintroduction of standing probably haven't actually done it, as it was, pre Hillsbrough etc.

an odd assumption Mums

[alunevans]

but your whole argument about stadiums being terraced in the next 15 years is like the dog chasing its own tail. in 15 years you will be 60 and you will be looking to sit down and complaining about people standing up you old ****a hahahaha