FSOA May Newsletter 2018
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Issue 017 May 2018 NEWSLETTER ‘Safe standing’ to be discussed in Parliament after campaign Safe-standing in the Premier League and Championship will be debated The plan was rejected by the government, and the Football Supporters' in Parliament on June 25th following a petition to the government which Federation responded by saying sports minister Tracey Crouch was was signed by more than 110,000 people. "declaring war on fans". The government previously said there were no plans to change the all- The Premier League asked for more evidence before it could be allowed seater policy after West Bromwich Albion had a proposal to trial ‘safe at top-flight stadiums. standing’ in one of its stands rejected. League One promotion chasers Shrewsbury received delivery of new Standing in English football's top two divisions was outlawed by the safe-standing rail seats which they plan to install at their stadium this Football Spectators' Act in 1989. summer. It came following recommendations made in the Taylor Report into the Sports minister Crouch said she was "grateful" for fans "expressing their Hillsborough disaster, which claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool fans. views on this issue". West Bromwich who were recently relegated from the Premier League, In a statement, the government reiterated their belief that "all-seater proposed a pilot scheme that would have meant 3,600 seats in the stadia are currently the best means to ensure the safety and security of Smethwick End were converted to 'rail seats', which can be locked in an fans”. But they added that they would continue to "consider advances in upright position. technology and data that may enhance the existing policy". The FSOA’s statement following the decision: “We have noted with interest that a petition in support of so-called ‘safe standing’ has gathered momentum among spectators and clubs following the Government’s decision to reject a pilot scheme at West Bromwich Albion and will now be considered for a debate in Parliament. “The issue of supporters persistently standing in seating areas is one that affects all-seater football stadia up and down the country and threatens to compromise the safety of thousands of fans every match day. “Something must be done to tackle this issue, and the introduction of an alternative such as dual-purpose seating or other systems currently being developed to enhance safety should not be ignored. “The FSOA was therefore disappointed with the decision to reject the trial, which would have provided the perfect opportunity to gather much-needed data and feedback on alternative systems that are not intended to encourage more fans to stand but instead create a safer environment for those who already persist in doing so. “Only by allowing trials of dual-purpose seating to go ahead can enough information be gathered to enable the Survey for members Government to make an informed decision on whether such an alternative is safer than the status quo. The safety of spectators must always remain The issue of fans standing persistently is one that affects grounds across the paramount, which is why it is pleasing that this issue will be given the careful country. The FSOA will be conducting a survey among members to find out consideration it deserves with how this issue affects your club, how you try to combat it and what solution the view of enabling positive change and you think would work best. Thank you in advance for taking the time to enhancing match complete this to help us move forward with a resolution. day safety at all grounds going forward.” ‘Safe Standing’ articles continue over page Issue 017 May 2018 Work begins to Safety rails plan at install rail seating at Oxford United Oxford United are continuing to investigate the possibility of Shrewsbury Town FC introducing the Ox-Rails: Supporting Safer Spectators concept at the Kassam Stadium. This would see the installation of a safety rail, independent of the seats, in sections of the East [Home] and North [Away] Work has begun on making Shrewsbury Town Football Club the first stands. The sections would remain as seated areas but the club in England and Wales to install safe standing. introduction of this additional safety control measure would In 2017, £65,000 was raised for the Supporters’ Parliament-led prevent the risk of a progressive crowd collapse by supporters initiative which will see 555 rail seats placed into the Salop Leisure who have chosen to persistently stand. South Stand. In February 2018 the overwhelming majority of the Oxford The rail seats have been made by local company Ferco Seating and United Safety Advisory Group members, including representatives of the Fire & Ambulance Services, supported the fitters were at the stadium early on Tuesday morning to start the the Ox-Rails concept. The club were informed, again in work, which is scheduled to take two weeks. February, that the Stadium would receive a licence under the Town CEO Brian Caldwell has been involved with the process from Football Spectators Act 1989 with the Ox-Rails: Supporting the beginning and is delighted to see the installation begin. Safer Spectators concept installed. The stadium would remain “They were here at 7.30am”, said Brian. “The plan is to get most of a seated venue. the seats out and then start working on installing the safe standing Ian Mixter, Head of Crowd Safety at Oxford United, who has worked on the project since October 2017 said, units, so it’s a nice sight to see them starting the work. “It is great to be able to update our supporters with “It’s going to hopefully help the atmosphere going forward. information regarding the concept; one which grew out of a “Hopefully, having that big body of support behind the South request for me to look at the feasibility of a dedicated area for Stand, cheering the team on, will help us in the long term as well. the Ultras. “It’s good for the town as well that we are putting Shrewsbury on “Although a time frame cannot be placed on completion of the map. the project the next stage will see the installation of a test build of an Ox-Rail, in front of a single row of seats in the East “We’ve had unbelievable coverage for safe standing and what’s Stand, to allow the safety barrier to undergo rigorous testing. happened with West Brom recently has highlighted it and had “Analysis of the results will allow for the design, if required, to everyone wanting to speak to us again about it. The fact that we be amended. The safety of spectators, both home & away, is are getting the safe standing units to be the first installed in England paramount and the club is committed to ensuring that this and Wales is going to be huge and there will be media interest on groundbreaking concept complies with the safety standards the club again.” required by the regulating authorities. “Running concurrent will be continued consultation with our Roger Groves, joint chair of the Supporters Parliament said now was supporters, including OXVOX and season ticket holders, to a great time to be a supporter of the club. ensure that when installed the Ox-Rails: Supporting Safer “It is really exciting to see the safe stands go in,” he said. “We have Spectators concept matches their expectations of a safe and done so much background work on this to see it taking shape is supportive environment in which to view matches. great. It is like buying a new house off plans and then seeing it all “Oxford United are continuing discussions with the Sports come together. Ground Safety Authority to allow the concept to continue within the Stadium should the club be promoted to the "It would not have been possible without the support we have from Championship.” the fans and businesses who helped us raise £65,690. We had Niall McWilliams, Oxford United’s Managing Director said: money from the club as well as £10,000 from Fansbet which really “First of all we would like to thank Ian for his hard work boosted the funds. on this project. He has been very much the driving “I was down at the ground and was so proud to see it all go in. It force and has done a fantastic job in getting it this has been brilliant to finally see it come to fruition.” far. We would love to see Ox-Rails at the stadium and will continue to work with all relevant parties to try and make this happen.” Issue 017 May 2018 Details unveiled for FSOA’s 2018 October Conference & Exhibition Details have been unveiled for the FSOA’s upcoming Conference & Exhibition, which will take place on October 16th and 17th. The event will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, in Stratford-upon-Avon, and will give FSOA members the opportunity to network with peers, listen to talks by experts and get a glimpse of the latest technology and services available to improve safety at stadiums. A full agenda of speakers, interactive sessions and presentations for the full-day conference on October 17th will be unveiled shortly, but the FSOA is delighted to announce the VIP after-dinner guest speaker as boxing legend, Frank Bruno MBE. The former world heavyweight champion boxer is one of the most well-loved and recognisable boxers in British history who has been candid about his personal struggles with mental health outside of the ring. The evening of entertainment will once again by compered by longstanding friend of the FSOA, Andy Ashworth. Ahead of the conference and exhibition, guests are invited to take a boat trip along the River Avon on October 16h.