From Sky:

 

 

Chelsea Supporters' Trust wants 'Safe Standing' areas at Stamford Bridge to improve atmosphere

The Chelsea Supporters' Trust has called for the introduction of 'Safe Standing' areas to improve the atmosphere at Stamford Bridge.

Manager Jose Mourinho complained it felt like his team were "playing in an empty stadium" when they beat QPR 2-1 in their last home Premier League game on November 1.

A survey by the CST has also indicated that Chelsea fans share Mourinho’s views, with atmosphere listed as one of the top concerns in the findings, along with ticket prices.

"Atmosphere continues to be a major concern for supporters and the manager," the report reads.

The 660 members surveyed felt the return of standing areas at Stamford Bridge would be the best way to improve the atmosphere at the stadium.

The Football Supporters' Federation is leading a campaign for the introduction of "safe standing" areas at football grounds.
Authorities

Currently, the Football Spectators Act 1989 requires safety authorities to ensure fans attending games in England's top two divisions are seated.

Tim Rolls, chair of the CST said his organisation backed the FSF's policy and also called on the club to reduce ticket prices too.

"The results of the second CST members survey reinforce the view of the board that there are a couple of fundamental issues the club need to address as a matter of urgency," he said.

"The recent publicity following the manager's comments about the lack of atmosphere at Stamford Bridge led to a healthy debate about the reasons for this.

"The need for more affordable ticketing for young supporters, the desire for Safe Standing to be introduced and concerns about over-zealous stewarding are all are highlighted as significant member concerns in the survey results, and support the CST board view on these matters."

The report adds: "The CST campaign for safe standing last season has put this in the forefront of supporters' minds with this being the most frequent suggestion for improving the ambience at Stamford Bridge."

Chelsea return to Premier League action after the international break when they host West Brom at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

 

I know there are other threads on the subject, but this is a little different, coming from the Chelsea Supporters Trust. (Besides which I'm in a bit of a rush,)

 

Making it as briefly as I can, the major stumbling block to the return of any kind of standing area is always going to be the shadow of Hillsborough, even though it was subsequently shown that the terraces were not a contributory factor. The families of the victims are and forever will be up in arms at the suggestion. While I have every sympthay for their osses, and I am fully aware of the there but for the grace of God factor, the world didn't stop turning that day, life goes on, and most importantly, lessons have been learned.

 

Safe standing works in Germany and so there is no reason whatever that it couldn't work over here. Besides which, it surely has to be safer to stand in a designated purpose built standing area than in the seats.

 

From the point of view of atmosphere, the pro-standng arguments are overwhelming. A return to standing would also see an end to the "sit down and shut up" bollocks beloved of tourists and overzealous stewards.

 

 

 

100% for standing returning myself. The decision to ban it in the first place was a typical kneejerk reaction by a government who failed to understand the problems of the 80s and hammered football at the first available moment.

From Sky:

I know there are other threads on the subject, but this is a little different, coming from the Chelsea Supporters Trust. (Besides which I'm in a bit of a rush,)

Making it as briefly as I can, the major stumbling block to the return of any kind of standing area is always going to be the shadow of Hillsborough, even though it was subsequently shown that the terraces were not a contributory factor. The families of the victims are and forever will be up in arms at the suggestion. While I have every sympthay for their osses, and I am fully aware of the there but for the grace of God factor, the world didn't stop turning that day, life goes on, and most importantly, lessons have been learned.

Safe standing works in Germany and so there is no reason whatever that it couldn't work over here. Besides which, it surely has to be safer to stand in a designated purpose built standing area than in the seats.

From the point of view of atmosphere, the pro-standng arguments are overwhelming. A return to standing would also see an end to the "sit down and shut up" bollocks beloved of tourists and overzealous stewards.

Good news. Regards being told to sit down by tourists it never happened to me but I was told to sit down numerous times by English Chelsea supporters. For me the season ticket holders are the main problem regarding atmoshpere don't get me wrong having tourists doesn't help.

All for it, as bluegraham says, tourists aren't the problem, regular match goers are. They are the same people who create a good atmosphere at big games. Tourists make up a tiny proportion of SB.

I'm definitely in favour of it. We need some atmosphere and passion at Stamford Bridge as it's been away for too long unfortunately!

I'm definitely in favour of it. We need some atmosphere and passion at Stamford Bridge as it's been away for too long unfortunately!

Well today the atmosphere was tremendous amazing fans

Atmosphere was better today in the Shed.

 

Didn't help when some twat says to someone next to me "sit down, I didn't pay £50 to see the back of your head". If that's the case just sit in the East or West!

Was better in the Matthew Harding Upper today as well. Laughed when we asked "East stand East stand give us a song" reply was 50-100 in the family section trying to get it going. Middle and upper was silent. Least Jose should know where to point his criticism!

Yeah even the West stand had a bit of a sing today.

There was a nice banner at the match today that said "If you want atmospher let us stand"

Atmosphere was better today in the Shed.

Didn't help when some twat says to someone next to me "sit down, I didn't pay £50 to see the back of your head". If that's the case just sit in the East or West!

Was the stewarding any more relaxed about standing yesterday?

Edited November 23, 201411 yr by carrickblue

Was the stewarding any more relaxed about standing yesterday?

 

I didn't see anyone getting told to sit down. As I said, some guy was moaning about it because he and his wife couldn't see (they were the only ones sitting down around us) but no steward did anything.

I didn't see anyone getting told to sit down. As I said, some guy was moaning about it because he and his wife couldn't see (they were the only ones sitting down around us) but no steward did anything.

 

well that's a positive - it does make a big difference, look at the Palace crowd today...

Was better in the Matthew Harding Upper today as well. Laughed when we asked "East stand East stand give us a song" reply was 50-100 in the family section trying to get it going. Middle and upper was silent. Least Jose should know where to point his criticism!

Should have told to go forth and multiply to the east or west stand. thats why i don't go to home games much, everyone stands at the away games. much better atmos.