Sunderland Season Tickets Suspended

Woolly Blue · December 27, 2012

http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/dec/27/sunderland-suspend-fans-standing-up

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Sunderland have taped up the seats of fans who refuse to sit down during games at the Stadium of Light.

Supporters of the club who persistently stand during matches have been suspended from using their season tickets. A photo circulated on Twitter shows a seat with a note on it saying: "This season card has been suspended due to persistent standing."

The club has issued a warning on its website about people who break the law on standing during a football match, and insisted it must act to protect the safety and the view of other fans.

It said it has received an "increasing number of complaints", particularly from fans in the South Stand, which say the game is being spoiled by others who stand throughout the 90 minutes.

Thirty-eight fans have been ejected from the Stadium of Light so far, compared to just 20 last season, the club reports.

The club's head of safety and security Paul Weir said: "We certainly don't wish to spoil the enjoyment of any supporters, we want a vibrant lively matchday atmosphere just as much as the fans do, but we also have legal obligations that we must be seen to be adhering to.

"We also have a duty of care to all of our supporters, including elderly and disabled fans who have contacted us very concerned that their enjoyment on a match day is being compromised because people around them stand throughout the game.

"Naturally we want to ensure a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone at the Stadium of Light and we'd ask supporters to listen to requests from stewards and help us to eradicate persistent standing for the sake of all fans."

There has been a mixed reaction on the Sunderland fans' Ready to Go online forum, with some welcoming the club's stance but others complaining the move will discourage a noisy atmosphere at the ground.

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Seems harsh, but I guess if you keep standing in front of some old fella who's not so nimble on his legs anymore you're being a bit of a prat.

Brennan · December 27, 2012

Woolly Blue said:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2012/dec/27/sunderland-suspend-fans-standing-up

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Sunderland have taped up the seats of fans who refuse to sit down during games at the Stadium of Light.

Supporters of the club who persistently stand during matches have been suspended from using their season tickets. A photo circulated on Twitter shows a seat with a note on it saying: "This season card has been suspended due to persistent standing."

The club has issued a warning on its website about people who break the law on standing during a football match, and insisted it must act to protect the safety and the view of other fans.

It said it has received an "increasing number of complaints", particularly from fans in the South Stand, which say the game is being spoiled by others who stand throughout the 90 minutes.

Thirty-eight fans have been ejected from the Stadium of Light so far, compared to just 20 last season, the club reports.

The club's head of safety and security Paul Weir said: "We certainly don't wish to spoil the enjoyment of any supporters, we want a vibrant lively matchday atmosphere just as much as the fans do, but we also have legal obligations that we must be seen to be adhering to.

"We also have a duty of care to all of our supporters, including elderly and disabled fans who have contacted us very concerned that their enjoyment on a match day is being compromised because people around them stand throughout the game.

"Naturally we want to ensure a safe, comfortable and enjoyable experience for everyone at the Stadium of Light and we'd ask supporters to listen to requests from stewards and help us to eradicate persistent standing for the sake of all fans."

There has been a mixed reaction on the Sunderland fans' Ready to Go online forum, with some welcoming the club's stance but others complaining the move will discourage a noisy atmosphere at the ground.

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Seems harsh, but I guess if you keep standing in front of some old fella who's not so nimble on his legs anymore you're being a bit of a prat.

Which is precisely why they should have a standing section or no standing at all.

Coach · December 27, 2012

Good. Well in Sunderland. A few more clubs should do it too.

kenada_blue · December 27, 2012

Then ban celebrating goals then. Or ban getting out your seat if your team scores.

Its stupid.

As for arle fellers and disabled ... Theyve more than likely been to games pre-all seater stadia and should get season tickets in the quieter areas or disabled sections

As for the fan new to football... They buy a season ticket knowing there would be people standing occassionally imo and know the score.

Woolly Blue · December 27, 2012

kenada_blue said:
Then ban celebrating goals then. Or ban getting out your seat if your team scores.

Its stupid.

As for arle fellers... Theyve more than likely been to games pre-all seater stadia.

As for the fan new to football... They buy a season ticket knowing there would be people standing occassionally imo and know the score.

I doubt that standing when a goal was scored or something else exciting happened was the issue. It's more likely someone standing for the majority of the game who was also getting lippy with the stewards. I was just surprised that Sland have gone as far as they have. Might just be some sloppy journo though.

Coach · December 28, 2012

kenada_blue said:
As for the fan new to football... They buy a season ticket knowing there would be people standing occassionally imo and know the score.

Or, putting it another way ... everyone who buys a season ticket buys it knowing that standing isn't allowed and know the score.

kenada_blue · December 28, 2012

Woolly Blue said:
I doubt that standing when a goal was scored or something else exciting happened was the issue. It's more likely someone standing for the majority of the game who was also getting lippy with the stewards. I was just surprised that Sland have gone as far as they have. Might just be some sloppy journo though.

Theyre bellends but it doesnt mention any warnings. I think the threat of suspension for standing wouldve worked, 3 strikes kinda thing.

Suspending completely would make me kick off more, want my money back and complain etc.

Dunno. They may have already hit the last straw with em.

tommye · December 28, 2012

sit down. It's the law and until it's changed to allow standing that's how it stays. I'm sure those fans banned have received ample warnings to sit.

Brennan · December 28, 2012

kenada_blue said:
Then ban celebrating goals then. Or ban getting out your seat if your team scores.

Its stupid.

As for arle fellers and disabled ... Theyve more than likely been to games pre-all seater stadia and should get season tickets in the quieter areas or disabled sections

As for the fan new to football... They buy a season ticket knowing there would be people standing occassionally imo and know the score.

No mate, that line of reasoning is stupid.

Standing up for a goal is not even close to why these people were banned.

Why should older people be forced to sit in a certain area so that others can break the law and obstruct the view of people who have as much right to see the game as they do ? You've got it totally the wrong way round. If you want to stand at the game then either don't go at all or accept the consequences if you do, no way the people who are obeying the law and the rules in the ground should have to compromise.

EFCNIK · December 28, 2012

Standing sections ffs!

Imo lower gwladys and park end should be standing and the rest seated.

Brennan · December 28, 2012

EFCNIK said:
Standing sections ffs!

Imo lower gwladys and park end should be standing and the rest seated.

You can't see the Park End goal in the back of the Lower Gladwys when you stand i don't think.

Definitely should bring standing sections back though.

EFCNIK · December 28, 2012

Brennan91 said:
You can't see the Park End goal in the back of the Lower Gladwys when you stand i don't think.

Definitely should bring standing sections back though.

I sat in the very back row of the LG in front of a pillar on Boxing Day.

My word it was gash.

degsy · December 28, 2012

If everybody stayed sat down there would be no need to stand, except to celebrate the goals.

neville · December 28, 2012

There is an argument for safe standing areas at the game

As long as it is risk assessed and managed properly no problem

Also relocate fans ( who are up for it) to singing sections everyone wins

Singing sections are in the process of being trialed at old trafford

SAFC lad · January 3, 2013

Woolly Blue said:
Seems harsh, but I guess if you keep standing in front of some old fella who's not so nimble on his legs anymore you're being a bit of a prat.

the club actively advertised a 'Singing Section' over the summer where the away supporters used to sit. Most fans who wanted to experience a bit more of an atmosphere at the ground moved there under the impression they would most likely be standing and singing for the full match.

The majority of this section do stand and all the club seem have done is tried their best to ruin the atmosphere by making an example of certain standers (mostly teenagers and those who are unlikely to put up much of a fight i might add) by sending up jobsworth, bullied-at-school stewards to remove harmless kids who want to go to the match and have a bit of a sing song. The atmosphere in the last few games has suffered as pro-standing and anti-steward songs have came to the fore, sadly.

I know for one if I personally am ever made an example of and banned for trying to create an atmosphere, I won't be going back