Informing the Standing Debate
First up on Safe Standing, MOMS has been invited to attend a Safe Standing roundtable meeting in Parliament next week, ahead of the debate on the subject that will take place in the House of Commons on 25th June.
It’s good to see the Shadow Minister for Sport Dr Rosena Allin-Khan involving supporters directly in the discourse to make sure the issue is fully understood.
This is key judging by some of the misinformed comments made by some MPs, even in the past few months, when the subject is mentioned in the House of Commons. The EFL, as we’ll see below has been very active in gathering proper data on the matter.
I know you may have filled in a survey or two on the issue of Safe Standing over the past months/years, but if you want to share your views on the subject directly with the Shadow Sports Minister, feel free to communicate them via her own safe standing fan survey.
Big EFL Safe Standing Survey
Speaking of surveys, we promoted the EFL safe standing survey a few weeks ago and nationally over 33,000 supporters filled it in, in less than two weeks.
94% of football fans believe they should have the option to choose the type of matchday experience they want – whether that be seated or standing in safe, licensed areas of grounds according to a recent, record-breaking EFL survey.
The survey is part of EFL’s recently launched ‘Stand up for Choice’ campaign, which is being run in conjunction with the Football Supporters’ Federation and is specifically designed to fully understand the views of fans of EFL Clubs.
As the EFL, who are fully behind the choice of standing, states:
‘The consensus amongst supporters could not be clearer, with the overwhelming majority believing that Clubs should be able to provide fans with a choice between standing and being seated at EFL matches.’
The survey, which has received the highest number of responses for any EFL led campaign, also revealed:
- Over two-thirds (69%) of responders indicated that they would prefer to stand, compared to less than a quarter (22%) who claimed a preference for seating;
- Standing has also shown to be more popular with younger fans with the highest supporting demographic coming in the 18-34 age groups;
- There is a high demand for the choice to stand across all three divisions, with 94% of Championship supporters and 92% of League One and League Two supporters all in support;
- Nearly half (47%) of all fans said they would attend more games if licensed standing was available;
- There is no material difference between the responses compiled from supporters of the 21 EFL Clubs who currently offer standing accommodation compared to supporters of Clubs who don’t.
The purpose of the campaign is to provide key data and insight on the views of supporters nationwide, which is in addition to a petition that is set to be debated in Westminster Hall on Monday June 25. The key findings from the EFL survey will be used to inform that debate.
Choice
Peter Daykin, standing co-ordinator at the Football Supporters’ Federation, said: “We’d like to thank every supporter who took the time to take part in the ‘Stand up for Choice’ survey, the largest of its kind ever conducted on the issue of standing at football in England and Wales.
“Once again, football supporters have made it abundantly clear that they want the choice between sitting and standing at a match – genuine choice that is provided at horse racing, rugby, music festivals and beyond. We urge the Government to listen to those supporters who, along with clubs and safety experts, want to see reform of the currently unworkable all-seater legislation.”
UTV
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