Back in August we asked members to complete a questionnaire detailing their views on safe standing. Having received and collated the responses, summary aspects of the results are as follows:
Probably the most interesting part of the results was that despite only 18% of our members personally wishing to stand, 75% of them still thought supporters should be given the right to choose whether to stand or sit at football grounds. The other salient points to come out of the survey were:
- If safe standing went ahead somewhere between 10% and 20% of the capacity should be set aside for standing
- 4% of people would be put off attending football matches if safe standing was brought in
- 37% of members thought it could increase crowd trouble and hooliganism
- 44% thought it could make grounds more unsafe
- 20% thought their view of the game would be made worse
- 76% thought it would improve atmosphere
- 14% of people thought the overall match day experience would be less enjoyable
- 52% of people did think there could be such a thing as safe standing at football…..
The above points have purposely been listed in a manner that is neither pro standing or anti standing, as the view from the Trust board has always historically been that we welcome freedom of choice in this matter but with emphasis on the word 'safe' in this safe standing debate. The results of the survey have helped reaffirm this standpoint that as a membership we welcome dialogue on possible freedom of choice to either stand or sit at football providing necessary safety assurances are in place.
Full results in respect of all 16 questions that were asked (& comparisons with the national survey) will be detailed in an article later this week in order for you to read the whole results in order to draw your own independent conclusions.
Many thanks to all who contributed feedback in respect of the safe standing questionnaire.