[Beefy 1965]

Breaking News ......


@mattwilson_star
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Breaking - #wba's application to introduce safe standing in the Smethwick End for next season has been rejected by the government

Matt Wilson
#wba operations manager Mark Miles described the decision as 'short-sighted'. He said: "It is preventing the club from creating a safer environment for supporters." Albion have written back to the government requesting a review.
@mattwilson_star
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Just spoken to Mark, who made an extremely strong case for railed seating in the Smethwick. "We wouldn't be introducing standing into the stadium, the standing is already taking place, we’re just trying to manage it better." #wba

[WBA-Josh]

I’m in agreement with Mark Miles that it is a short-sighted decision. Railed standing is what they use in some stadiums in Germany without any problems and if done correctly, which I’m sure the club would, then it can add to the atmosphere and give fans in the Smethwick the choice on match days. Have a look at this article:

http://www.fsf.org.uk/campaigns/safe-sta...look-like/

Number 1 is what the club has been looking into and it is what Hannover do successfully in their HDI Arena.

Hannover - Lower terrace behind the goal on the right:



Hoffenheim - Bottom of picture

[Beefy 1965]

Can these be turned back into seats if necessary I mean are theses actually seats designed to turn into rails if flipped over ?

[Sir Megson]

As someone who's been a STH in the Smethwick for years I can safely say I've never sat down during the game... Along with pretty much every other fan in the our end.

Not at all surprised our government have rejected the common sense approach to giving those who choose the stand the safest environment to do it in. Idiots!

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Can these be turned back into seats if necessary I mean are theses actually seats designed to turn into rails if flipped over ?

Seats can be folded down, the only change to the current seats realistically is there is a rail infront of you to lean on with the new system.

[WBA-Josh]

Can these be turned back into seats if necessary I mean are theses actually seats designed to turn into rails if flipped over ?

If the seats are locked back then it is only safe standing. If the seats are unlocked (like normal seats) then people can either sit or stand, it’s up to personal preference.

Having attended an Union Berlin game in January, I can say that safe standing areas are exactly that, safe and those stands are steps going down with a rail every third of fourth row down. The rail system is even better because people that want to stand have a rail to lean on and plenty of space to stand within.

Union Berlin’s safe standing: