This has to end…

[Shrimper till i die]

Quote[/b] ]I can. It can't be done. I have written confirmation from the Football Licensing Authority that it can't be done. Is that a decent enough argument?

Fair play, as my post read I was sceptical of rulings that would prevent it.

 

[Xàbia Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (MK Shrimper @ Sep. 14 2006,13:50)]I think the Taylor Report made it obligatory for all grounds to be all seated.

Actually the Taylor Report recommended that all major stadia be made all-seater; it was the Government who decided that terraces needed to be removed. Interestingly, the Taylor Report stated that "standing accommodation is not intrinsically unsafe".

 

[Technician]

There is no possibility of Southend United ever having a standing area to watch live football in either Roots Hall or Fossetts Farm for the simple reason that Roots Hall was converted to all seater stadium in the 90's and once all-seater, it cannor be reversed and all new stadiums built for football use must also be all-seater stadiums... I think this goes back to the Taylor Report.

Unless you are Shrewsbury or Boston United, you don't have a hope in hell of having a legal standing area at a football ground these days and in Southend United's case, it is a measure of the size of our club and it's success in the 90's and of course more recently with our double promotion, that we have to put up with these problems.

That does not excuse SUFC's lack of action regarding away fans, but maybe if the FA issued a directive giving clubs no alternative but to enforce the seating policy for ALL fans, then it is down to the individual club and it's available resources. I will mention the issues being raised on here to Chris Baker and get his permission to post a responce, but it should be you lot talking to him... you don't need to do it mob handed, but if enough of you email, phone or visit him in person, maybe the club will take the matter a little more seriously.

I doubt the club will take any notice of reading these messages to be honest (no disrespect), so if you want something done about it, go through the proper channels... and stop hiding behind your PC's.

 

[MK Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (Xàbia Shrimper @ Sep. 14 2006,12:58)]

Quote[/b] (MK Shrimper @ Sep. 14 2006,13:50)]I think the Taylor Report made it obligatory for all grounds to be all seated.

Actually the Taylor Report recommended that all major stadia be made all-seater; it was the Government who decided that terraces needed to be removed. Interestingly, the Taylor Report stated that "standing accommodation is not intrinsically unsafe".

Cheers...wasn't sure on the actual ruling. Is it something else to blame Maggie T for?

 

[Prodigal Son]

Quote[/b] (Shrimper till i die @ Sep. 14 2006,12:49)]

Quote[/b] ]You want a few men in coloured jackets on £20 a match to sort it out.

Yes I do, we have to abide by rules on away days why should they at the hall

Quote[/b] ]You say we are ignoring the problem what problem?

The problem of the away fans breaking the rules. Rules state you have to sit in an all seater stadium – Roots Hall is an all seated stadium. We sit, they don’t. The problem escalates as because of their allowance to stand they can create far more noise and support than us. I appreciate that they also have everyone in one place and they are in the best stand acoustically BUT you cant deny that standing contributes a great deal.

Quote[/b] ]would be intrigued to know your age

im 22 and cant see any relevance, you either come to football wanting to create a wicked atmosphere and really get behind the boys or you sit back and enjoy the game. I respect both. It has nothing to do with age, just horses for courses. My suggestion on turning block X into a standing area would ensure both types of fans get what they come to football for.

I think this thing about making more noise standing up is a myth, I've never related to it.

If the club carries out your wishes and they all sit down but still make more noise, what are you going to do then?
Say away fans cannot sing?

We sat down at Palace,QPR and Leicester and easily made more noise.

I did not even notice they were standing up on Tuesday, I look across to the away end occassionally but was pretty focused on the pitch. Never really pay that much attention to them actually.

I only ask about the age because there does come a time when you accept that life is not fair, and if the fact that alot of Norwich fand made more noise than us for limited periods when there team is on top, well that's a pretty good life.

There was a time when away fans making more noise would have bothered me, but I was much younger then. This is not a pop.

I've been going to Roots Hall for about 34 years and when we are in the mood, this is the best atmospher ever with the best football on offer.

 

[Shrimper till i die]

Appreciate your input. Whats Chris’ email address?

 

[Xàbia Shrimper]

There seems to be some hysteria here. I don't think for one minute that anyone really thinks that Southend United are the ONLY club that "appear" to let away fans stand in an all-seater area. A quick glance at the Stand Up Sit Down campaign website shows that this season away fans stood for much of the game at Coventry City, Derby County, Leicester City, Rotherham United, Wycombe Wanderers, Anfield, Carrow Road, Ninian Park, Sheffield United, Upton Park, Bolton Wanderers, Barnsley, Old Trafford ... the list is (almost) endless, so let's not head down the road of blaming the stewards at Southend United for a perceived world of woe! If you want to blame anyone, blame the Government ...

 

[Xàbia Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (Prodigal Son @ Sep. 14 2006,14:08)]I think this thing about making more noise standing up is a myth, I've never related to it.

I consider that it is indeed a myth. I've watched football in the Mestalla (Valencia) and the Santiago Bernebeu (Real Madrid) and the noise is absolutely phenomenal ... AND ... the vast majority of people are sitting down.

I think it's more down to number of people. 2,000 Norwich City fans will always make a helluva lot more noise than less than the 500 or so who tried to generate the atmosphere early in the game. Not everyone at a home game wants to sing, chant, dance, stand up twenty times a half to demonstrate their love for Southend. Those who travel away are more likely to.

That's the real issue ...

 

[Technician]

Quote[/b] (Shrimper till i die @ Sep. 14 2006,13:09)]Appreciate your input. Whats Chris’ email address?

Official Site

Chris Baker is listed as the safety officer (Stadium Manager)and his email address is near the bottom of the link page. I am not sure what his DD phone number is and won't give out his mobile number. You would have to go through the switchboard.

 

[Shrimper till i die]

Quote[/b] ]Official Site

Chris Baker is listed as the safety officer (Stadium Manager)and his email address is near the bottom of the link page. I am not sure what his DD phone number is and won't give out his mobile number. You would have to go through the switchboard.

Thank you.

 

[CSWICKFORDSHRIMPER]

We all know standing coming back to the Hall will not happen,

I think it’s a big shame... At big games the clubs losing thousands in gate receipts... Hundreds outside the West stand Tuesday night where still hoping to buy tickets
Just had go home... a small standing area could accomodate another 1000 or so, Our Clubs on a high... we really should start cashing in

If we could go back 20 years ago with this success, Tuesday nights game would of been 18,000 plus im in no doubt

One Team In Essex
SOUTHEND UNITED FC

 

[M25 Shrimpers]

Quote[/b] (Xàbia Shrimper @ Sep. 14 2006,12:58)]

Actually the Taylor Report recommended that all major stadia be made all-seater; it was the Government who decided that terraces needed to be removed. Interestingly, the Taylor Report stated that "standing accommodation is not intrinsically unsafe".[/QUOTE]

Exactly right Mike...hence the numerous publications relating to the "Stand Up, Sit Down" campaign.
Many stadiums in Germany have safe standing areas, but Roots Hall would not be applicable to this. All you are doing is effectively turning a seated area back into its original terraced guise, which isn't legally possible.

 

[Technician]

Quote[/b] (CSWICKFORDSHRIMPER @ Sep. 14 2006,13:37)]We all know standing coming back to the Hall will not happen,

I think it’s a big shame... At big games the clubs losing thousands in gate receipts... Hundreds outside the West stand Tuesday night where still hoping to buy tickets
Just had go home... a small standing area could accomodate another 1000 or so, Our Clubs on a high... we really should start cashing in

If we could go back 20 years ago with this success, Tuesday nights game would of been 18,000 plus im in no doubt

One Team In Essex
SOUTHEND UNITED FC

This justifies the need for us to move to Fossetts Farm and increase our capacity from the existing 12306 to the 22000 that Ron Martin mentioned at the end of last season. With the increased capacity, we will require more safety stewards, more security and better controls because the club will be under greater scrutiny than they are now.

This would undoubtedly make a great argument round the table(s) of the spread on Tuesday night...

 

[Xàbia Shrimper]

Quote[/b] (M25 Shrimpers @ Sep. 14 2006,14:51)]Many stadiums in Germany have safe standing areas, but Roots Hall would not be applicable to this. All you are doing is effectively turning a seated area back into its original terraced guise, which isn't legally possible.

Almost 90% of football stadiums in Germany have safe standing areas. The South Stand of Borrusia Dortmund, for instance, can hold 25,000 standing fans on a match-day - and regularly does so. Many of those standing areas are based on folding-seat systems, such as the 'kombi seat' at the Volksparkstadion in Hamburg. The FLA visited the stadium back in 2001 and reported it as "an ingenious and well-engineered system ... [that] could, with certain modifications, comply with the safety standards required in England and Wales".

The major problem is that such a system cannot be installed in existing football grounds in England as it requires a row depth of 900mm; English row depths are normally between 700 and 760mm. So the system couldn't be installed at Roots Hall even if the club wanted to, although there would be no point if we harbour hopes of moving to a new stadium in the near future. It's also expensive; a 'kombi' seat costs around £100 to install whilst normal 'tip-up' seats costs somewhere in the region of £25, a quarter of the cost.

I spoke with Ron Martin back in 2002 about incorporating the idea of safe standing areas (and of the possibility of installing 'kombi' seats or similar) in the design of the new stadium. Whilst he was geuinely interested in the concept, he stated quite categorically that the project would NOT include standing areas of any design, adding that legislation wouldn't allow it anyway (even though FLA investigations into the 'kombi' seating system concluded that "it would be possible to design a new stand capable of taking the 'Kombi' seats and removable barriers at an English or Welsh grounds" although warning that "the system takes up considerably more space than existing non-convertible seating or standing arrangements in England and Wales [and] the club would need to build a significantly larger and costlier structure to obtain the same capacity.")

 

[southendpier]

All fans have to stand once a few at the front decide to - or they cannot see. To be fair to Norwich/all away fans at Roots Hall the seats in the North Bank aren't the best, very very pokey with a shallow viewing angle from my memories of sitting there. I am only 5ft 10 and I wanted to stand up because of discomfort.

However, many away fans see it as their right to stand - to gesture, chant and generally make themselves look as big as possible. Once a few do the remainder have to....

I generally bring my two young children to the game, it is very annoying when people stand up because they cannot see. WTF - I cannot see!

I have no problem with standing up celebrating a goal (ours of course) or the odd incident. However, the West Stand "stand up if you love saaarfend" brigade get on my t1ts. Whilst obviously from the heart, the chant is set down almost as a challenge to other Southend fans to show their allegiance, going on and on it is annoying.

For the record Delia stood up quite a few times in front of me t'other night, didn't see if she was swiggin any sherry, and no steward was in sight - honestly, it's one rule for them and another for us eh?

As for Brighton sitting down - tuesday night game after a *ahem* busy weekend - can't see many of them sitting can you?

 

[McNasty]

I am fortunate to sit in the front row of the South Upper , so no-one stands in front of me . I don't stand for the "If you love Southend" song as I don't wish to spoil the view of the small Scottish Stephen who sits behind me.
Considerate or what ?

 

[silentshrimper]

How comes we were aloud to stand for the last 20 mins without being hassled? Because to many people were doing it. We should just all stand and they cant do anything about it.

 

[GNH]

Quote[/b] (mcnasty @ Sep. 15 2006,14:13)]I am fortunate to sit in the front row of the South Upper , so no-one stands in front of me . I don't stand for the "If you love Southend" song as I don't wish to spoil the view of the small Scottish Stephen who sits behind me.
Considerate or what ?

Ken, I am so proud of you my friend. Would it also have anything to do with not losing your teeth again?

 

[Prodigal Son]

Quote[/b] (mcnasty @ Sep. 15 2006,14:13)]I am fortunate to sit in the front row of the South Upper , so no-one stands in front of me . I don't stand for the "If you love Southend" song as I don't wish to spoil the view of the small Scottish Stephen who sits behind me.
Considerate or what ?

You demonstrate leadership on many fronts.

 

[Prodigal Son]

Quote[/b] (silentshrimper @ Sep. 15 2006,14:21)]How comes we were aloud to stand for the last 20 mins without being hassled? Because to many people were doing it. We should just all stand and they cant do anything about it.

You are so considerate, on one side I have my small son and on the other an 88 years old who cannot stand for more than a minute, but as long as you have a good time, that's all that matters.