RG - Safe standing at Easter Road “under consideration”

[BegbieHSC]

The man has a vision. You love to see it.

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/hibs-consider-safe-standing-section-as-ron-gordon-sets-out-easter-road-vision-3393098?fbclid=IwAR3E9yQG_JVJCnRleKufrIEtQng3E0c0T Z9RKEAkTfXt1KLjEkV0CheLHVI

[Hibee Mac]

Fantastic stuff

[BegbieHSC]

The man has a vision. You love to see it.

https://www.edinburghnews.scotsman.com/sport/football/hibs/hibs-consider-safe-standing-section-as-ron-gordon-sets-out-easter-road-vision-3393098?fbclid=IwAR3E9yQG_JVJCnRleKufrIEtQng3E0c0T Z9RKEAkTfXt1KLjEkV0CheLHVI


Article text below for the lazies.

“As the club continues to roll out what they describe as ‘refreshment’ works at Easter Road, adding large screens, a new PA system, improved kiosks, decorative embellishments and pushing ahead with plans for electronic advertising ribbons around the pitch and along the stands, the clubs hierarchy remain open to the idea of a standing section.

“We have that on the list, so the answer to that is yes,” said owner and chairman Ron Gordon. “Ultimately the idea of developing a safe standing section should be part of our thinking. It’s the way people want to enjoy football, right?”

It is a decade since Scottish Premier League clubs voted to amend rules that stated that all top tier grounds must be all-seater and clearing the way for members to pilot safe standing areas.

“What we are trying to do here at Hibs is give people more of a complete package in terms of coming to the football game.

“It’s sports, I get it, but it is also entertainment, it’s a day out with your family, your mates, whatever, and we want to enrich that.

“Many, many people love going to football and standing, so we want to give them that.

“I think what we’re trying to do with ticketing, the kiosks, hospitality, which is what we’re looking at next, is give people more options so they can pick what they like.

“When I arrived every seat had the same value, you could only buy season tickets or half season tickets or on matchday.

“Now you can buy packs, we have different sections so pricing is different.

“We have kiosks with much better products, it’s cashless so it moves more quickly although like everywhere, our biggest challenge has been recruiting labour but I think things will settle down.

“It is about giving the fans a better experience.”

[BegbieHSC]

Also note the article implies that the electronic “ribbons” are imminent.

RG has us in a fantastic place off the park right now.

[Vini1875]

TBF we already have a standing section in the East at the moment. I'm sure all the young lads and their drum would be delighted to have officially a standing area and it would likely add something to the atmosphere.

[04Sauzee]

Am I right in saying these seats take up less space so our capacity would increase slightly? Or have I just made that up?

[greenlad]

Am I right in saying these seats take up less space so our capacity would increase slightly? Or have I just made that up?

Modern rail seats tend to be 1:1 so the same capacity as seated.

[04Sauzee]

Modern rail seats tend to be 1:1 so the same capacity as seated.

Cheers 👍

[Hermit Crab]

Count me in. The whole East please.

[Crunchie]

Count me in. The whole East please.
Now wouldn't that be a thing of beauty :agree:

[lyonhibs]

Modern rail seats tend to be 1:1 so the same capacity as seated.

That was my question as well. No increase in bums on, or rather off, seats so it's the presumed uplift in atmosphere that would be the benefit.

Don't think it makes much sense to invest in implementing this in parts of the stadium where everyone just stands anyway - majority of the East.

Behind the goals in FF Lower would be a good start assuming incumbent ST holders were either amenable to that or to being moved if they prefer a permanent seat.

:worms:

[Iain G]

Am I right in saying these seats take up less space so our capacity would increase slightly? Or have I just made that up?

Just don't tell Anne Budge 🤣

[.Sean.]

Bottom section of the east please

[18Craig75]

They’re not going to do it in the east where they’ve just changed the seats, nor the family stand you’d think. West is prime seating so that rules in there out.

So logically you’d thing each wing of the East, is it 2 blocks between the new text and each gable end? That would be really smart.

[.Sean.]

They’re not going to do it in the east where they’ve just changed the seats, nor the family stand you’d think. West is prime seating so that rules in there out.

So logically you’d thing each wing of the East, is it 2 blocks between the new text and each gable end? That would be really smart.
Great shout. I’m in 43 which I think will be the next block after the ‘C’ - maybe starting with 43, 44 and 45 would be a shout.

[WhileTheChief..]

Lower section of FF would be my choice. Would look awesome having that section more than half full.

The seats there need replaced anyways.

[J-C]

Needed for all the young guys (even older guys) who like standing, maybe get sec43 in there too for atmosphere.

[jacomo]

Mon the Ron.

Eyes on the prize.

[Since90+2]

That was my question as well. No increase in bums on, or rather off, seats so it's the presumed uplift in atmosphere that would be the benefit.

Don't think it makes much sense to invest in implementing this in parts of the stadium where everyone just stands anyway - majority of the East.

Behind the goals in FF Lower would be a good start assuming incumbent ST holders were either amenable to that or to being moved if they prefer a permanent seat.

:worms:

The majority of the East doesn't stand. You'd be lucky if it's 20% of East that stand these days.

Whether or not that's because people are being forced to sit as others behind them want to sit which then creates a domino effect is another matter.

[jacomo]

Lower section of FF would be my choice. Would look awesome having that section more than half full.

The seats there need replaced anyways.


Yes mate. Makes the most sense.

The West always seems the better choice as the family stand anyhow.

[BegbieHSC]

Lower section of FF would be best, but it wouldn’t be the worst thing to have it where the singing section are at the moment.

[SHODAN]

FF Lower.

[Jones28]

FF Lower.

Yepp, would look awesome.

Doesn’t have to be one area though. Could do a couple of sections in the east too.

[Allez Hibs]

The majority of the East doesn't stand. You'd be lucky if it's 20% of East that stand these days.

Whether or not that's because people are being forced to sit as others behind them want to sit which then creates a domino effect is another matter.

Dempster had a big effect on that. Was great to see Section 43 and the Drummer back in the East at the weekend.

One thought though - Isn't the gradient too steep for safe standing in the East? Well above the walkway anyway?

[ABZHFC]

The majority of the East doesn't stand. You'd be lucky if it's 20% of East that stand these days.

Whether or not that's because people are being forced to sit as others behind them want to sit which then creates a domino effect is another matter.

The issue is that Section 44 all sit, even at the very top of the stand. So you have two groups who stand (at the back of 43 and the back of 45), but they are disjointed. Needs to be sorted, and as someone else said, the blame is very much at Dempster's door for ruining the East's atmosphere by her incessant war on pyrotechnics

[CentreLine]

The issue is that Section 44 all sit, even at the very top of the stand. So you have two groups who stand (at the back of 43 and the back of 45), but they are disjointed. Needs to be sorted, and as someone else said, the blame is very much at Dempster's door for ruining the East's atmosphere by her incessant war on pyrotechnics

Fully in agreement with her war on pyrotechnics but glad to see the singing section back in the east.

[Wakeyhibee]

Yepp, would look awesome.

Doesn’t have to be one area though. Could do a couple of sections in the east too.

Doubt the east will get it. These are trials and will be small in nature to start off. Cant see 2 sections of the east as views in adjoining sections will be impaired unless its the 2 outer ones which wont work as desired.

[ABZHFC]

Fully in agreement with her war on pyrotechnics but glad to see the singing section back in the east.

Definitely been an improvement in atmosphere as a result

[Hibeesforever]

Just build it in the corner of the ff and East problem solved....

[mayo hibee]

Yes, don't see how it can be a section of the east, it would be impossible to do without restricting the view for people sitting down in the next section along.

The only way I could see it working really would be to do it for the entire Famous Five lower stand.

[Peevemor]

Yes, don't see how it can be a section of the east, it would be impossible to do without restricting the view for people sitting down in the next section along.

The only way I could see it working really would be to do it for the entire Famous Five lower stand.

Unless they do entire rows at the back, or blocks of seats in the corners at the back.

[LaMotta]

FF Lower.

:agree::agree::agree:

Time to return that end of the ground into the intimidating pit of noise it was pre 1975.

[Bobby's Cinema]

Hope it's the FF Lower. Kids moved to end sections of the West longterm.

I've always thought Dundee United were a decent compatible example of the difference fans can seem to make packed in behind the goal

[hibeejeebies]

FF Lower.

Suck the ball into the back of the net 😁

[SunshineOn1875]

Has anyone really ever been so impressed by someone coming into the club like this before? Refurbs to the stands, big screens, promoting getting a pint at the game, trying to get the league and game more funding, safe standing and no doubt he has more and more planned. Guy is a saint not just for us but for scottish football in General. Love live Big Ron

[bod]

Just email all season ticket holders & ask them if they’d want a standing area where they currently are & trial the area that gets the most majority. Folk unfortunately won’t be happy being moved so they should get 1st dibs on the seats that would become vacant

[Hibee Mac]

Will this finally see the implementation of a fully packed FF lower behind the goals?

Would be great if we could have that and still keep the loud folks in the east as well, could help bring the atmosphere to the next level

[HibeeHibernian4]

Just build it in the corner of the ff and East problem solved....

Haven't we just placed a screen there?

[Carheenlea]

The FF Lower as standing would be pretty much full every game. The most natural location but I always liked that stand opposite the main at a Cappiliow which is seated at front with terrace at back. You’d imagine the East is where it would be trialed.

[Jones28]

Will this finally see the implementation of a fully packed FF lower behind the goals?

Would be great if we could have that and still keep the loud folks in the east as well, could help bring the atmosphere to the next level

I think they would naturally migrate to the standing section. It would look fantastic. Put the family zone in one of the ends of the east, nearest the FF.

[WhileTheChief..]

Just build it in the corner of the ff and East problem solved....

Yup, that was always the natural place for it.

Pesky screens….

[Moulin Yarns]

The issue is that Section 44 all sit, even at the very top of the stand. So you have two groups who stand (at the back of 43 and the back of 45), but they are disjointed. Needs to be sorted, and as someone else said, the blame is very much at Dempster's door for ruining the East's atmosphere by her incessant war on pyrotechnics

How can you have a war against something that is illegal in football stadia?

[ABZHFC]

How can you have a war against something that is illegal in football stadia?

Well, you can either be sensible and accept that is a part of the ultras scene (but try to mitigate it and ensure that nothing daft like throwing pyro onto the pitch happens), or pathetically try to clamp down on it and ensure the singing section have to abandon their very advantageous position at the top of the East, to then move to the bottom, to then move to the FF Upper, all of which has contributed to a worse atmosphere at Easter Road since. The disproportionate, heavy-handed response from Dempster was definitely a bad thing, regardless of the legality

[LunasBoots]

RG has been fantastic since being here, always pressing forward with ideas, revelation.

[Hermit Crab]

Should be the whole East stand imo, call it the green wall, a bit like the yellow wall in Dortmund. :agree:

[Allez Hibs]

How can you have a war against something that is illegal in football stadia?

Dempster took a very heavy handed approach which ultimately destroyed the atmosphere. Moving the singing section up to the FF upper was way over the top and it killed the atmosphere in the East.

[Allez Hibs]

Well, you can either be sensible and accept that is a part of the ultras scene (but try to mitigate it and ensure that nothing daft like throwing pyro onto the pitch happens), or pathetically try to clamp down on it and ensure the singing section have to abandon their very advantageous position at the top of the East, to then move to the bottom, to then move to the FF Upper, all of which has contributed to a worse atmosphere at Easter Road since. The disproportionate, heavy-handed response from Dempster was definitely a bad thing, regardless of the legality

100%

[heretoday]

Bring back the cave and allow a section for opposition supporters. Ahhh nostalgia...................

[Moulin Yarns]

Well, you can either be sensible and accept that is a part of the ultras scene (but try to mitigate it and ensure that nothing daft like throwing pyro onto the pitch happens), or pathetically try to clamp down on it and ensure the singing section have to abandon their very advantageous position at the top of the East, to then move to the bottom, to then move to the FF Upper, all of which has contributed to a worse atmosphere at Easter Road since. The disproportionate, heavy-handed response from Dempster was definitely a bad thing, regardless of the legality

That's not the way I remember it.

The singing section asked to move to the front of the east because they were being tarred with a reputation because of some young lads who were a bit offensive.

The club accommodated them.


Then they asked if they could get a section of the famous five.

Again, the club accommodated them.

That wasn't working so they asked if they could get back to the top of the east, guess what, the club accommodated them.

Pyrotechnics on the other hand are banned for a reason. And no amount of asking for them to be allowed in the singing section will change that.

[davhibby]

Dempster took a very heavy handed approach which ultimately destroyed the atmosphere. Moving the singing section up to the FF upper was way over the top and it killed the atmosphere in the East.

The singing section wanted to move because they thought it would help them towards a move to where they actually wanted which is safe standing in the FF lower. Not sure what they were initially told by the club but clearly Dempster had no interest in that ever happening

[ABZHFC]

The singing section wanted to move because they thought it would help them towards a move to where they actually wanted which is safe standing in the FF lower. Not sure what they were initially told by the club but clearly Dempster had no interest in that ever happening

Yep, or even allowing them to trial being in the FF lower for cup games, which was just as bad from her. It's a shame as well, I know in her time at Motherwell she was very good at communicating with the Motherwell Bois and ensuring they kept good relations. Don't know what happened to her in her time at Hibs but she went astray on that front

[GreenCastle]

Famous Five lower is the best place 100%.

Would actually be good to have a pretty full area behind the goals willing the ball into the net.

I understand the issue of people who sit in FF lower with kids but surely over time kids grow up and these people can be relocated to lower west or south lower for Cat B or even part of the east.

Leave the singing section in east - but a safe standing area would be immense especially for bigger games behind the goal.

[Since90+2]

Famous Five lower is the best place 100%.

Would actually be good to have a pretty full area behind the goals willing the ball into the net.

I understand the issue of people who sit in FF lower with kids but surely over time kids grow up and these people can be relocated to lower west or south lower for Cat B or even part of the east.

Leave the singing section in east - but a safe standing area would be immense especially for bigger games behind the goal.

If the FF lower was made safe standing it would also become the signing section. You might have a few diehard East standers who like a sing song but the FF would become the defacto singing section.

[Moulin Yarns]

If the FF lower was made safe standing it would also become the signing section.




Surely the point is to make a lot of noise though 😉

[Since90+2]

Surely the point is to make a lot of noise though 😉

Maybe we wouldn't have missed out on McGrath if we had our very own signing section.

[CloudSquall]

Now we only need Ron to start considering selling bevy at the kiosks for the full mental nostalgic experience :greengrin

[Pagan Hibernia]

Yep, or even allowing them to trial being in the FF lower for cup games, which was just as bad from her. It's a shame as well, I know in her time at Motherwell she was very good at communicating with the Motherwell Bois and ensuring they kept good relations. Don't know what happened to her in her time at Hibs but she went astray on that front

Am I right in saying the singing section moved themselves down to the FF lower during a cup game (Inverness?) a couple of seasons ago? A game where the FF lower was more or less empty and they just moved down for the night? And it worked too. They created a great racket.

or have I misremembered that completely

[GreenCastle]

Am I right in saying the singing section moved themselves down to the FF lower during a cup game (Inverness?) a couple of seasons ago? A game where the FF lower was more or less empty and they just moved down for the night? And it worked too. They created a great racket.

or have I misremembered that completely


https://youtu.be/lMMGHWmI3pA

It was this game - any co-incidence we scored several goals in the 2nd half.

They made a great noise and you could tell when the players scored they were enjoying the atmosphere.

[Moulin Yarns]

Am I right in saying the singing section moved themselves down to the FF lower during a cup game (Inverness?) a couple of seasons ago? A game where the FF lower was more or less empty and they just moved down for the night? And it worked too. They created a great racket.

or have I misremembered that completely

I think that was just the second half. Some folks in the lower stand had to move out of their seats. I also think that they got the approval from Dempster to do it once.

[ABZHFC]

I think that was just the second half. Some folks in the lower stand had to move out of their seats. I also think that they got the approval from Dempster to do it once.

It was just the second half, like you say, but there was no approval from Dempster if I remember correctly

[Moulin Yarns]

It was just the second half, like you say, but there was no approval from Dempster if I remember correctly

I think the approval from dempster was a different game, maybe a friendly or another cup game against a smaller club.

[Moulin Yarns]

https://www.hibs.net/showthread.php?345870-Singing-Section-Moving

Note the first post mentioning that the current position might be temporary while a long term solution is found.

[Allez Hibs]

Yep, or even allowing them to trial being in the FF lower for cup games, which was just as bad from her. It's a shame as well, I know in her time at Motherwell she was very good at communicating with the Motherwell Bois and ensuring they kept good relations. Don't know what happened to her in her time at Hibs but she went astray on that front

Looked like there was little to no communication with Section 43 / Singing Section. She appeared very stubborn in her approach to the fans which impacted the atmosphere at Easter Road.

[Allez Hibs]

https://youtu.be/lMMGHWmI3pA

It was this game - any co-incidence we scored several goals in the 2nd half.

They made a great noise and you could tell when the players scored they were enjoying the atmosphere.

Yep, it made a huge difference to the atmosphere.

[Mikey_1875]

Id love to stand all game but wouldn’t want to compromise my view from the east stand. Obviously a selfish point but I’d imagine there are people in the same boat and imo the potential of the standing/singing section wouldn’t be maximised if it was placed in the FF.

If it was up the back of the east then there would be more chance of the songs catching on and would take away the decision of seat with a view or stand with what I would say is a considerably worse view. Lots of factors to consider though and they certainly won’t please everyone regardless.

[Since452]

https://youtu.be/lMMGHWmI3pA

It was this game - any co-incidence we scored several goals in the 2nd half.

They made a great noise and you could tell when the players scored they were enjoying the atmosphere.

It was outstanding during that second half. It's an absolute no brainer having them there.

[Billy Whizz]

It was outstanding during that second half. It's an absolute no brainer having them there.

Where do we move the Family section too, and how many do you think would join the standing/singing section?

[Moulin Yarns]

Looked like there was little to no communication with Section 43 / Singing Section. She appeared very stubborn in her approach to the fans which impacted the atmosphere at Easter Road.

Not what it says in the first post I linked to above this post.

[WhileTheChief..]

Looked like there was little to no communication with Section 43 / Singing Section. She appeared very stubborn in her approach to the fans which impacted the atmosphere at Easter Road.

LD wanted the young uns as far away from the pitch as possible once she realised that a little bit of 'do not cross here' tape was insufficient to stop pitch invasions.

She never cared about the atmosphere really.

[Since452]

Where do we move the Family section too, and how many do you think would join the standing/singing section?

I'd move the family section to the west lower

[Moulin Yarns]

I'd move the family section to the west lower

Where do we move the west lower to?

[Billy Whizz]

I'd move the family section to the west lower

Kids like being behind the goals

[Moulin Yarns]

Kids like being behind the goals

There is only one way to solve the problem, everyone on the database is sent a questionnaire.

[jacomo]

Id love to stand all game but wouldn’t want to compromise my view from the east stand. Obviously a selfish point but I’d imagine there are people in the same boat and imo the potential of the standing/singing section wouldn’t be maximised if it was placed in the FF.

If it was up the back of the east then there would be more chance of the songs catching on and would take away the decision of seat with a view or stand with what I would say is a considerably worse view. Lots of factors to consider though and they certainly won’t please everyone regardless.


Imo the FF lower should be standing for reasons discussed.

Family section moved to the West, happy for the West to then become a bit less tolerant of swearing / hurling abuse.

Keep the singing section in the East, best place to generate atmosphere. The FF Lower would no doubt be noisy as well, a sort of unofficial singing section.

I’ll sit high up towards the back of the East with my arms folded across my chest, harrumphing.

Sorted.

[jacomo]

Kids like being behind the goals


Something to aspire to then.

[WhileTheChief..]

I'd move the family section to the west lower

Yup, best place for them to see the players up close and get selfies etc before or after the game if you put them in the south section next to our dugout.

Added bonus of keeping any bams away from the dugouts :greengrin

[bod]

Imo the FF lower should be standing for reasons discussed.

Family section moved to the West, happy for the West to then become a bit less tolerant of swearing / hurling abuse.

Keep the singing section in the East, best place to generate atmosphere. The FF Lower would no doubt be noisy as well, a sort of unofficial singing section.

I’ll sit high up towards the back of the East with my arms folded across my chest, harrumphing.

Sorted.

where do you put the folk in the west ?
what if the singing section your keeping in the East want to move to the standing section in the FF lower ?

[LaMotta]

It was outstanding during that second half. It's an absolute no brainer having them there.

:agree::agree::agree:

[GreenCastle]

Where do we move the Family section too, and how many do you think would join the standing/singing section?

South Lower for Cat B games - entry via east side of stadium.

Many kids don’t turn up for Cat A so they can always move to other parts of the stadium and saves folk money so they don’t waste a ticket / empty seat - club can sell the empty spaces.