Rival fans back Safe Standing Early Day Motion
Football Supporters' Federation Press Release
22nd Nov 2006

Around England and Wales football fans are rallying to the Early Day Motion calling for a debate on the introduction of safe standing areas at top football grounds proposed by Portsmouth South MP Mike Hancock.

One of Mike Hancock's constituents and Pompey season ticket holder Pam Wilkins, also a member of the National Council of the Football Supporters' Federation, said, ""I'm very pleased my local MP has taken the initiative on this. I know thousands of Pompy fans, as well as supporters of other teams, will be delighted if their club is given the right to introduce safe standing. It's probably one of the few things that most Pompy fans would agree with most Southampton fans about!"

Her guess wasn't wrong, Steve Godwin, chair of the Saints Trust said, "The Saints Trust welcome an open and honest debate on the feasibility of introducing safe standing areas in football stadia in the UK".

In Wales, Cardiff City and Swansea City fans are on the same page on this issue, Swans fan Richard Lillicrap said, "I think grown-ups should be treated as grown-ups. Those who want to stand should be given that choice." Bluebirds fan Vince Alm, said, "I'd like to see safe standing areas at our new ground. Most Cardiff fans I know want a choice. Lots prefer to stand. Why can't they?"

In Manchester the issue reaches across the blue/red divide. City fan Phill Gatenby said, "I've been campaigning for yonks for standing to be allowed. Why is it I can go to gig, to watch rugby league or union, or even in the cups at lower division grounds and stand, but not watching my own team? The government need to get off supporters' backs and let us enjoy ourselves. It would bring down ticket prices too." United fan Mark Longden agreed with him. ""Phill and I will agree on just about nothing except this. It's the only bit of football that most fans in Manchester, blue or red, are agreed on. We want the right to stand."

In the Potteries, Port Vale and Stoke City fans are united on the issue. City fan Malcolm Clarke said, "Many Potters would welcome a return of the choice to stand in safety which they used to have at the old Victoria Ground. Most Vale fans I know were very disappointed when the terraces disappeared at their place." Vale fan Ash Connor said, ""I hesitate to agree with a City fan about anything but Malcolm's right. All fans should have the right to chose whether to sit or stand at a match."

The Football Supporters' Federation is calling on fans throughout England and Wales to contact their MPs and ask them to support Mike Hancock's Early Day Motion. Head of Development Steven Powell, an Arsenal supporter, said, "I've already written to my MP asking her to back the motion. It now has the support of Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative MPs. This isn't a Party issue, it's an issue of common sense. I congratulate those MPs who've already signed the motion. Their fingers are on the pulse of their constituents. One of the few things wrong with our new ground at the Emirates Stadium is that there's no safe standing areas. That's a tragedy."

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The Early Day Motion can be found here.

The Football Supporters' Federation represents over 140,000 fans supporting clubs and national teams at all levels throughout England and Wales.