Manchester United Supporters’ Trust are joining the call to install rail seating at football games after a Manchester MP called on the House of Commons to adopt them.
Standing has been banned in English football’s top two divisions following the Taylor Report into the 1989 Hillsborough Disaster.
However the Football Supporters Federation are campaigning for a new type of rail seating to be trialled in stadiums across the UK to enable safe standing.
South Manchester MP John Leech, who has been a season ticket holder at Manchester City for 29 years, told the Commons that the current system doesn’t work.
And now the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust have backed the call.
Duncan Drasdo, CEO of Manchester United Supporters Trust, told MM: “Stadiums should definitely consider having a standing section.
“Rail seats would also help clubs financially with TV rights. Games are far more exciting if the crowd is generating a proper atmosphere, it is what you see in Germany.”
Rail-seating, commonly found in the German Bundesliga, has been proposed to the government as a modern alternative to terraced stands.
The stands comply with all UEFA regulations and allow clubs such as Borussia Dortmund to create a hostile atmosphere each week which gives their team an advantage on the pitch.
It is also well documented that football supporters, especially on away days, will stand for the duration of the match.
Mr Leech said: “The current system doesn’t work.
“The solution is to introduce seating at football grounds that will be safer for spectators, and which recognises and accommodates those fans who continue, and will continue in the future to stand, while watching football.”
Mr Drasdo added: “It is not fit for purpose. Something needs to be changed especially at Old Trafford the seating is not designed for standing up and the backs of the seats are a tripping hazard.
“Rail-seating is the solution it isn’t particularly expensive at a one off cost of £100 including installation.”
A survey has been completed by The Football Supporters Federation (FSF) which found 92% of fans are in favour of standing areas.
Michael Brunskill, from the FSF, said: “A lot of research has gone into this and it all shows that the 9/10 fans want the option of a standing area.
“When fans are standing in a seated area it can be unsafe. The rail-seats give people that want to sit or stand the option.
“Rail-seating will help improve the atmosphere in stadiums, which is the driving factor in why people want change.”
John Leech has called for the commons to change the law set in 1989 to allow football ground in the top two tiers to have a standing area.
Mr Drasdo added: “It would be a massive improvement if the laws change to those like Germany.
“The premier league is resistant to change as the formula they have at the moment works for them.
“As a supporter it doesn’t work, the passion generated from standing areas creates a better atmosphere.”
By adopting the seating proposal it will allow clubs to get more supporters into stadiums which will help improve the atmosphere during matches.
It will also mean that clubs can lower the price of their tickets which and still make higher revenues.
For example season tickets in standing areas at Bayern Munich start at €180 (£150) and are far more affordable for all fans.
Whereas top English clubs such as Manchester United have season tickets starting from £532, a stark contrast.
“Having fans with standing areas gives teams such as Dortmund a massive advantage on match day. They support there club because they feel like they are getting more from them and are a fan rather than a paying customer,” added Mr Drasdo.
“Rail-seats are an ideal scenario because everyone benefits from social inclusion.”
Supporters of the change hope to persuade the Government, football authorities and football clubs to accept the case for introducing on a trial basis limited sections of standing areas at selected grounds in the stadiums of Premier League and Championship football clubs.
Mr Brumskill said: “Rail-seats are a million miles away from the terraces. What we are hoping for is a small step where we trial the seats in this country and then go on from there.
“It feels like things are starting to progress and the FSF now has formal backing from clubs, including seven Premier League clubs.
“We are also gaining the support from club chairmen like Ed Woodward at Manchester United and Manchester city have publicly stated that are thinking of supporting rail-seating.”
A step in the right direction, for legalising standing at stadiums, was taken by Manchester United during a recent Champions League match against Real Sociedad.
The Red Devils introduced a 1,500-capacity ‘singing section’ to Old Trafford, in the south-east quadrant of the stadium where away supporters are usually housed.
“The trial of the singing section at Old Trafford is not a solution to the problem, it is a halfway house,” said Mr Drasdo.
“The solution is rail seating because it gives people the option of sitting and standing safely.
“As it stands at the moment, especially at away games, supporters stand for the entire game, which is unsafe because stadiums aren’t designed for this.”
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