Safe Standing Roadshow coming to Leicester

[Biffa Bacon]

The depth of the foundations rarely has anything to do with their capacity unless the building is on a piled foundation. Even if this was the case a decent Engineer could get round the problem I am sure.

The stadium is built on contaminated land that is isolated by a layer of concrete, to sink deeper foundations the concrete needs to be lifted and the contaminated lands needs to be dealt with, this is how it was explained to me, the club has looked at the options and Mandric kept it very quiet so that he could sell the club. Even if a decent engineer could deal with it the expansion could be prohibitively expensive.

 

[Mawsley]

Just a thought, having seats helps to ensure there are the right amount of people in each area of the ground, avoiding over crowding and the dangers that come with it. With these railed seating areas it would be far too easy for people to vacate their own seat/standing area and bunch up together in certain areas. Keeping people where they were supposed to be would be very difficult.

Not really to a greater extent than already happens, if anything it would be better controlled through a redesigned section.

I honestly don't understand what anybody's problem with safe standing is - terrace-like areas produce more atmosphere and remove people from standing in front of seated spectators.

 

[Lako42]

Seeing as we don't even own the stadium maybe we should just build a new one?

 

[Jeff]

Seeing as we don't even own the stadium maybe we should just build a new one?

We'd still have the stadium debt if we moved out. Unless you think someone is going to buy it?

 

[Lako42]

We'd still have the stadium debt if we moved out. Unless you think someone is going to buy it?

I think we should just refuse to pay.

 

[FryattFox]

I think we should just refuse to pay.

Why stop at the stadium?

 

[Lboro fox]

The stadium is built on contaminated land that is isolated by a layer of concrete, to sink deeper foundations the concrete needs to be lifted and the contaminated lands needs to be dealt with, this is how it was explained to me, the club has looked at the options and Mandric kept it very quiet so that he could sell the club. Even if a decent engineer could deal with it the expansion could be prohibitively expensive.

The possibility of the land being contaminated is very high due to its previous use. Though the rest of what you said is very unusual and highly unlikely. If there were an impervious layer of concrete sitting over the contaminated land, it is unlikely that a football stadium would be built on top of it doe to the loads involved. If the slab could support the loads, then there is no reason why new foundations couldn't be added around the stadium to build any extension off.

I am sure there are complications, but not insurmountable ones.

 

[Biffa Bacon]

The possibility of the land being contaminated is very high due to its previous use. Though the rest of what you said is very unusual and highly unlikely. If there were an impervious layer of concrete sitting over the contaminated land, it is unlikely that a football stadium would be built on top of it doe to the loads involved. If the slab could support the loads, then there is no reason why new foundations couldn't be added around the stadium to build any extension off.

I am sure there are complications, but not insurmountable ones.

I'm not an architect but this was how it was explained to me by someone close to the club, maybe their understand is incorrect but apparently expansion and concerts are off the agenda because they are believed to be impractical due too the way the stadium was constructed on the cheap.

 

[Brown Nose]

With regards to safety, stadiums on the whole have vastly improved since the terraced days of the 90s and before. This rail design they are championing would prevent crushes occuring.

The behaviour issue is something I fear will always be a problem. Technology has now become a real tool in preventing known trouble makers entering stadia, though policing I'm sure is a cost that many clubs would be happy to reduce. Having a seat is of course a much the easier way of keeping tabs on people.

I'm of an age whereby my standing v seated games are probably about equal. I don't object to 'safe' standing but I disagree that any standing is able to be safer than seating.

I recall my worst goal celebration injury being in a half full pen 3 at filbo when Nicky Cross scored a late winner against Walsall. An unexpected shove from behind and I went flying. It was terrifying for a few moments despite the density of supporters being mediocre. Things happen when you fall or lose balance in a standing area that don't in a seating area.

I've also had numerous bruised knees from banging into the seat in front of me. The only time it ever went further than this was when we scored the equaliser at Wembley against Swindon and I 'came to' about eight rows away from my seat and, to this day, I have no idea how that happened.

Essentially, I think it should be up to the individual to decide what they prefer. However, as someone from the 'Hillsborough generation', who shuddered in full knowledge that it could easily have been me at some point, I'll now stick to sitting down. What I do think would be a major step forward is unreserved seating areas. For me, these give you many of the benefits of standing without the dangers.

 

[bocadillo]

What I do think would be a major step forward is unreserved seating areas. For me, these give you many of the benefits of standing without the dangers.

Have you any answer to the problem of filling an unreserved seating area to capacity?

 

[Jeff]

Have you any answer to the problem of filling an unreserved seating area to capacity?

That's easy. You only sell tickets for 90% of the capacity.


A lot of clubs have unreserved seating areas with no problems.

 

[Biffa Bacon]

Have you any answer to the problem of filling an unreserved seating area to capacity?

Usual case is that unreserved areas have to have 10% reduced capacity to allow for safety.

 

[pds]

I'm of an age whereby my standing v seated games are probably about equal. I don't object to 'safe' standing but I disagree that any standing is able to be safer than seating.

I recall my worst goal celebration injury being in a half full pen 3 at filbo when Nicky Cross scored a late winner against Walsall. An unexpected shove from behind and I went flying. It was terrifying for a few moments despite the density of supporters being mediocre. Things happen when you fall or lose balance in a standing area that don't in a seating area.

I've also had numerous bruised knees from banging into the seat in front of me. The only time it ever went further than this was when we scored the equaliser at Wembley against Swindon and I 'came to' about eight rows away from my seat and, to this day, I have no idea how that happened.

Essentially, I think it should be up to the individual to decide what they prefer. However, as someone from the 'Hillsborough generation', who shuddered in full knowledge that it could easily have been me at some point, I'll now stick to sitting down. What I do think would be a major step forward is unreserved seating areas. For me, these give you many of the benefits of standing without the dangers.

Hereford away in League One was the last match I stood at and I came back with a head injury.

This was my fault though, the roof was low and I jumped in the air to celebrate our third goal smacking my head in the process which led to a minute or so of crawling around on the floor trying to work out who I was.

 

[bocadillo]

That's easy. You only sell tickets for 90% of the capacity.

No. That's avoiding the question.

Usual case is that unreserved areas have to have 10% reduced capacity to allow for safety.

I can't see how it affects safety. More likely to be because it is known and accepted that people will not fill every seat in an unreserved area.


Both of the answers illustrate the truth that there is no easy way of filling an unreserved seating area to capacity.

 

[Brown Nose]

Both of the answers illustrate the truth that there is no easy way of filling an unreserved seating area to capacity.

Filling an area to capacity is only an issue if demand makes it an issue. This may be a problem were we to be in the Premier League but its been many years since we had this problem. The vast majority of clubs could have unreserved seating areas without any problem. If there is a prospect of an unreserved seating area selling out, then make it reserved or only sell 90% of the tickets.

 

[Mawsley]

Hereford away in League One was the last match I stood at and I came back with a head injury.

This was my fault though, the roof was low and I jumped in the air to celebrate our third goal smacking my head in the process which led to a minute or so of crawling around on the floor trying to work out who I was.

I too got a head injury but this was due to someone I know ducking as a total twat swung a punch at them.

 

[M17TT C]

A safe standing area would be great imo, whenever I've been to a game and stood up throughout it has always been a better atmosphere (well apart from a random Torquay V Hull match about 10yrs ago) which has therefore been money better spent in my opinion. Also, being 6ft+ it can be quite uncomfortable having to sit down at grounds and I'm not even that tall so I'm sure others will struggle with that even more.

I don't really see the issue with it, yes standing in the past was dangerous due to crushes and poor ticket control but both of those aspects have been improved greatly since the 70/80s and for those that do not wish to stand, there would of course still be seating for you to use.

There is obviously a demand for standing at football given that it occurs at every single ground in the country and allowing it would actually allow clubs to use resources more effectively by not having people employed just to tell spectators to sit down.

 

[Biffa Bacon]

No. That's avoiding the question.




I can't see how it affects safety. More likely to be because it is known and accepted that people will not fill every seat in an unreserved area.


Both of the answers illustrate the truth that there is no easy way of filling an unreserved seating area to capacity.

Safety Advisory Groups ask for reduced capacity in unreserved areas as there is more chance of people crowding in popular positions, getting a safety certificate is difficult if clubs don't agree.

 

[Jeff]

 

[bocadillo]

R5L is reporting that the Football League is to lobby the government to allow for safe-standing areas at Championship grounds.