Southampton FC Intend To Introduce Safe Standing At St Mary’s
Southampton Football Club are looking to introduce secure standing room at St Mary’s, a pre-season letter to season ticket holders confirms.
In information released ahead of Saturday’s home game against Leeds United, fans were told it will also be crucial to be able to demonstrate we are able to operate safely at full capacity if we try to introduce a safe stand at St Mary’s, which the club will continue to consult with fans throughout the season.”
The warning comes amid rising anti-social behaviour at matches throughout the football season, the club added.
But the step forward for a secure footing is a victory for former independent councillor Andrew Pope, who has campaigned on the issue for five years.
He says it would improve the atmosphere and matchday experience for both home and away fans.
Now he has been contacted by Saints to say they are trying to “adopt and embrace” a secure footing.
Mr Pope was told Southampton Football Club was working on designs for a secure footing at the stadium and would start advising fans in the next few weeks.
He said: “I am delighted that after five years of leading the Safe Stand campaign, Southampton FC have finally confirmed to me that they will conduct a test and that I will be consulted on the drafts, which I understand are imminent.”
The Government recently confirmed that Premier League and Championship clubs wishing to introduce licensed “safe standing room” at football stadiums will be allowed to do so from the start of the 2022/23 season, which began with a Saints defeat at Tottenham on Saturday.
Brentford, Queens Park Rangers and Wolverhampton Wanderers will be the first clubs to join early adopters Cardiff City, Chelsea, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur and offer licensed standing room in designated seating areas.
It is expected that other clubs will introduce licensed standing room as the season progresses.
Under licensed standing room, fans are allowed to stand behind a barrier or railing in permanent standing areas for games in allocated spaces. Each supporter must occupy the same area they would occupy if seated, with a traceable, numbered ticket.
