Burnley back plans for safe standing

Last Monday, at the Supporters’ Clubs’ Forum monthly meeting, the proposals put forward by the Football Supporters’ Federation to allow a trial were discussed. The FSF’s campaign’s aims are to persuade the Government, football authorities and football clubs to accept the case for introducing, on a trial basis, limited sections of standing areas at selected grounds in the Premier League and Championship.

The result of the discussion was a unanimous vote in favour of not only supporting the proposals, but, along with Clarets Mad, acting as a contact point between the FSF and our club. Those present, who all voted in favour, were Burnley Football Supporters’ Club, Colne Clarets, London Clarets, North Manchester Clarets, Rossendale Clarets and West Yorkshire Clarets.

Hoos told the FSF: “While we must emphasise that persistent standing in all-seater stadia such as Turf Moor is against ground regulations, we recognise that a not insignificant number of our fans prefer to watch football standing.

“Having studied the ‘rail-seat’ concept, we believe that this has merit and may provide a suitable way to enable clubs such as ours to satisfy the demand for safe standing areas in the future. We therefore support the Football Supporters’ Federation in calling on the Government to permit a few small-scale trials of such to determine, if successful, the criteria under which we may be able to introduce safe standing at Turf Moor at a future date.”

On behalf of the supporters’ clubs, Barrie Oliver, BFSC chairman said: “It remains clear that some supporters wish to stand and others wish to sit to watch games. Both should be given their choice and it is something that the supporters’ clubs will fully support.”

For a video explanation of the proposed trial, please visit: http://youtu.be/apX5V1IJCW4

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