As the Football League consults it’s member clubs about the latest safe standing technology, the Football Supporters Federation (FSF)want fans of the 72 clubs to ask them to back the return of terracing.

The League have asked their clubs whether they would like the option of converting some sections of their stadia to standing accommodation, in the shape of the advanced ‘rail seat’ technology that has been used successfully in Germany for several years. This system has an excellent safety record, and stands where this technology has been installed can be used for either seating or standing.

There are seats to be folded up between the rails when the stand is being used as a terrace, and they can be brought down to be used for games in competitions when standing isn’t allowed (such as the European Club competitions). For example, Hanover 96 have a section which holds 5,700 fans when used as a terrace, but can be converted to a seating area for 3,000.

This is the section which where you would find the most vocal home fans at Hannover games, and they definitely find that the terracing improves the atmosphere at domestic games. And all over Germany the use of terracing increases stadium capacities and allows clubs to reduce ticket prices, so that more fans can get in to see the beautiful game.

Now the technology has been proven to be safe and workable, the FSF want to see it introduced into this country. At present clubs in the top two divisions aren’t allowed to have standing accommodation by law, but the government have promised to re-examine the issue if the Football authorities as them to, which is why the League are carrying out this consultation.

Leeds declared the club’s support for safe standing in April last year, but as there have been several changes among those running the club since then it won’t do any harm to remind them that the majority of Leeds supporters want the option to be able to stand. The League has given their clubs until Friday 24th January to respond, so there's no time to waste if you want to get in touch with the club to let them know what you think about this issue.

Please click here for more information about the FSF and the campaign, and to find out what you can do to help.

Then one day we can make top flight football affordable for the masses once again and get the atmosphere back into our football grounds.

Photo: Action Images

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