As the FSF initiative for safe standin to be reintroduced as Satdia in England, they are asking Wigan Athletic fans if they want to see how safe standing can be acheived via a demo version which they are touring the grounds of the UK.
The Football Supporters’ Federation is offering supporters’ organisations and fanzines the opportunity to have the Safe Standing Roadshow visit their club in the coming weeks and months. The roadshow is run by Jon Darch and supports the FSF’s Safe Standing Campaign by providing supporters with the opportunity to see a “rail seat” area in action.
Fans can also come along and see the roadshow at the FSF’s Fans’ Parliament on July 9th in London. Registration is free from www.fsf.org.uk
The unit consists of four ‘rail seats’ (from a batch made for VfB Stuttgart in Germany) mounted on a platform in the design of a small grandstand (pictures here). It measures 2m x 2.3m and can be set up outside or indoors (subject to double-door access). By standing at the rail seats on the roadshow unit club executives, safety officers, local councillors and MPs can get a genuine feel of what ‘safe standing’ would be like if such seats were allowed to be installed in a designated standing area at your ground.
The roadshow recently made its first appearance at Wolves, where a representative group of fans indicated clearly to the club’s chief executive that they felt supporters should have the choice to sit or stand and that a significant number would personally like the opportunity to stand. A report on that event, including a link to the independent minutes, is available here. The unit has since made appearances in the North East, Scotland and Merseyside – read a report of that event here – and is being lined up to visit Arsenal, Stoke City and Portsmouth in the coming weeks.
If you would like to hold a similar event at your club (or arrange a private demonstration behind closed doors for your club executives), please contact FSF member Jon Darch, who is running the roadshow. He’ll be happy to arrange a suitable date with you.
If you have any further question please email Jon: safe.standing@gmx.com
Sign the FSF’s Safe Standing petition: www.fsf.org.uk/safestanding
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