NHC West Brom Safe Seating

[Scouse Hibee]

West Bromwich Albion have announced that a proposal to introduce safe standing at The Hawthorns has been rejected by the UK government.

The club had hoped to install 3,600 rail seats in the Smethwick End for home and away fans in time for the 2018-19 season, but Tracey Crouch, the Minister for Sport, decided not to modify the policy requiring seats in the top two divisions of English football.



Mark Miles, West Brom's director of operations, has urged the Sports Grounds Safety Authority to review the decision, calling it "surprising and disappointing."

He said the proposal has the support of club members and remains convinced that introducing rail seats, which can be locked in an upright position, would be safer in a section where persistent standing has been a problem.

"I think the Minister has taken a short-sighted view and is preventing the club from creating a safer environment for supporters," Miles said in a statement. "The all-seater policy was developed over 25 years ago and football is a very different place now.

"The system we proposed is well-tested across Europe and has also worked successfully at Celtic, who are governed by different legislation than in England and Wales. We were prepared to run a pilot which would enable the club to gather data and feedback to further inform us in the issue of crowd safety."

[green&left]

West Bromwich Albion have announced that a proposal to introduce safe standing at The Hawthorns has been rejected by the UK government.

The club had hoped to install 3,600 rail seats in the Smethwick End for home and away fans in time for the 2018-19 season, but Tracey Crouch, the Minister for Sport, decided not to modify the policy requiring seats in the top two divisions of English football.



Mark Miles, West Brom's director of operations, has urged the Sports Grounds Safety Authority to review the decision, calling it "surprising and disappointing."

He said the proposal has the support of club members and remains convinced that introducing rail seats, which can be locked in an upright position, would be safer in a section where persistent standing has been a problem.

"I think the Minister has taken a short-sighted view and is preventing the club from creating a safer environment for supporters," Miles said in a statement. "The all-seater policy was developed over 25 years ago and football is a very different place now.

"The system we proposed is well-tested across Europe and has also worked successfully at Celtic, who are governed by different legislation than in England and Wales. We were prepared to run a pilot which would enable the club to gather data and feedback to further inform us in the issue of crowd safety."

Will need one of the big teams to get on board before the government give a ****. Liverpool had supporter representatives up last week visiting the standing section at Parkhead.

[Cabbage East]

“The answer to dealing with persistent standing is not necessarily to introduce safe standing.

“There are regulations to deal with persistent standing - I would like to see them enforced."

Sports Minister Tracey Crouch. You couldn't make that up. Totally out of touch and clueless.

[Bishop Hibee]

Embarrassing Tory statement. Good news that safe standing is permitted in football stadiums in Scotland.

[SirDavidsNapper]

Will need one of the big teams to get on board before the government give a ****. Liverpool had supporter representatives up last week visiting the standing section at Parkhead.

Makes not one bit of difference to us. It's allowed in Scotland.

[Since90+2]

Absolutely no reason nowadays why you can't have safe standing in stadiums.

[Is It On....]

Absolutely no reason nowadays why you can't have safe standing in stadiums.

Anyone remember the "sway" when Archigod scored at Tynecasle. Can't say it was 100% safe but it was brilliant...

[jgl07]

Embarrassing Tory statement. Good news that safe standing is permitted in football stadiums in Scotland.

I thought that it's not yet the case.

Celtic have their's as an experiment and it has yet to be evaluated.

[Itsnoteasy]

Makes not one bit of difference to us. It's allowed in Scotland.

Exactly who gives a Friar Tuck about the EPL, thee most over rated league on the planet.

[Hermit Crab]

Embarrassing Tory statement. Good news that safe standing is permitted in football stadiums in Scotland.


Terraces are still allowed, they were never outlawed, the SFA just decided to sook up Lord Taylors arse and go along with his all seated stadia in the top flight recommendation. Lots of clubs did or nearly went to the wall with decision!

[jgl07]

Terraces are still allowed, they were never outlawed, the SFA just decided to sook up Lord Taylors arse and go along with his all seated stadia in the top flight recommendation. Lots of clubs did or nearly went to the wall with decision!
It was not just the SFA, in Edinburgh the City Council refused permission for Hibs and Hearts to retain terracing for one year while their (then) proposed new stadiums at Straiton and Millerhill were constructed. Without a safety certificate from the Council stadium could not be used.

This was a major factor in both clubs deciding to stay put.

Some clubs did get temporary extensions but Falkirk were denied promotion (or possibly a playoff for promotion) because of the state of Brockville. And rightly so the the place was a dump with more and more of the crumbling terraces being taped off each season.

[jacomo]

Embarrassing Tory statement. Good news that safe standing is permitted in football stadiums in Scotland.


:agree:

Tories don’t understand football.

[Scouse Hibee]

Exactly who gives a Friar Tuck about the EPL, thee most over rated league on the planet.

I do.

[Scott Allan Key]

:agree:

Tories don’t understand football.

Indeed. They’re afraid of terrace culture and the unity and attachment it might bring back to fellow fans. In fact, their active promotion of the corporate side of EPL and as a tourist venture undermines the happiness of football supporters here. They think of us as ****, but it’s them... Hillsborough and its aftermath was this in a microcosm.

[green&left]

I thought that it's not yet the case.

Celtic have their's as an experiment and it has yet to be evaluated.

That's by the Glasgow city council, if they're happy to issue a safety certificate then there are no problems.

[Renfrew_Hibby]

Indeed. They’re afraid of terrace culture and the unity and attachment it might bring back to fellow fans. In fact, their active promotion of the corporate side of EPL and as a tourist venture undermines the happiness of football supporters here. They think of us as ****, but it’s them... Hillsborough and its aftermath was this in a microcosm.

Just look at West Ham and the shambles of their new stadium.
Gold and Sullivan get the flack for the decision to move but the new stadium project was lead by Tory peer Karen Brady. She has created a purely corporate led sanatised match day experience and has systematically broke up and alienated one of the UKs most ferocious fan groups.
She didn't plan this by accident.