Emirates Standing E-mail

Rocky Number Seven · Post by **Rocky Number Seven** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 12:58 pm

Has anybody else recieved this?

Dear Supporter,

We are all now looking forward to the 2008/09 season, with the Emirates Cup kicking the campaign off at the stadium on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd August.

Ahead of the new season, we just wanted to take this opportunity to explain our policy concerning standing in the seated areas at Emirates Stadium. We do understand that many of you want to show your support and urge the team on â€“ and we have no objection to people standing in order to see a particular move or at crucial points in the game. However, in one or two sections of the stadium, it is becoming increasingly apparent that supporters have been standing throughout some of the matches.

There are a number of reasons why the Club, in conjunction with the Premier League have to kindly request that supporters sit down if they are standing persistently throughout the match.

Although safety is a major factor, the main concern generated from persistent standing during matches is the general welfare and comfort of other supporters.

Please find below the general reasons why we kindly request supporters to sit down during matches. Standing in seated areas seriously affects the enjoyment of the match of other supporters who simply cannot see the match because of people standing in front.

The welfare of other supporters

When people stand up in a seated football stadium, those behind cannot see â€“ and this doesnâ€™t just mean the one person in the seat behind.

As soon as someone stands up they prevent many people from having a full view of the pitch. Children, the elderly and those who find it difficult to stand for any period of time, cannot see the match, and it is unfair to deprive them of the opportunity to watch the match.

Safety issues

When a large number of people stand for any length of time, the crowd inevitably spreads out and there is a tendency for the gangways to become blocked.

It is essential that these gangways are kept clear in case of an emergency â€“ which is one of the Club Stewardsâ€™ responsibilities on a matchday.

If just one person falls over when there are many standing, this can cause a â€˜domino effectâ€™ to occur, and many people could suffer injury as a result.

Stadium regulations

In order for the local authority (Islington Borough Council) to grant a safety certificate for Emirates Stadium, the Club has to demonstrate that we are able to manage our supporters and the stadium regulations are adhered to, which include ensuring that supporters are seated.

Without a safety certificate, the stadium cannot be opened. If the authority decides that any areas of the stadium are unsafe due to persistent standing they could impose certain conditions which could include the closing of specific areas of the stadium.

In conclusion, we just want to say that we are proud of the fantastic support we enjoy at Arsenal and of the excellent behaviour of our fans who attend our matches both home and away. We just ask all supporters to be considerate towards other people in the stadium who wish to sit down during the match.

We value your support and want you to continue to enjoy the matches at Emirates Stadium and the purpose of this communication is part of a concerted effort by all Premier League clubs to ensure that supporters understand why clubs are asking people to sit down during matches.

We hope that this information has been useful and in short, please help us â€“ and your fellow supporters â€“ by ensuring that Emirates Stadium remains a safe and comfortable place for all.

Unfortunately, if the Club receives continual complaints concerning individual supporters, or individuals refuse to follow the instructions from Stewards, the Club will have no option but to suspend the membership of the offending individual.

Can we also take this opportunity to once again make supporters aware of our Anti-Social Text Service at Emirates Stadium. Please click here for full details.

Thank you for your continued support.

Yours sincerely,

John Beattie
Stadium Manager
Arsenal Football Club

NBM · Post by **NBM** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:11 pm

Nice, a pre-emptive strike! Looks like the club have set their stall out for the new season then!

RaM · Post by **RaM** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:14 pm

Kanubayor 25 · Post by **Kanubayor 25** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:16 pm

Yeah just got this.

I'm hoping they're sending this because they're legally obliged to, and that much like the half-hearted efforts of the stewards in Block 6, it's all for show, but tacitly they're alright with people standing - god knows the people standing are the only ones creating any atmosphere! And it's definitely why our away support is not just good, it's genuinely some of the best in the country.

I'm definitely a little worried that this must be the pre-warning for a much harsher attitude this season tho..

Post by **gooner.ed** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:17 pm

this is part of an initiative agreed with redaction.

to maintain the safety licence, the club have to be seen to be able to get sections sat down on occasion during the game.

so in the redsection, a couple of times each half when there is nothing happening (most likely an injury or a goal-kick), a steward will go to the front of the section and give a signal to everyone to sit down for a short time - until something happens to get people back on their feet. those in the section will be pre-notified unofficially of the signal and it will become part of the matchday routine.

the club get their safety licence, the redsection gets to stand for most of the game. this email is part of the club doing what it needs to to retain the safety licence. long term alternative is the seats being taken out of action and the block being empty. no-one wants that.

the club are trying to co-operate with the fans through redaction. it's a difficult balance to strike, but the club do not want to be forced to close sections of the stadium.

barnfield88 · Post by **barnfield88** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:17 pm

Boomer · Post by **Boomer** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:19 pm

Ha ha! "Stand up for the Arsenal,...."

Problem is stewards have a hard enough problem enforcing it anyway.
In block 5 as soon as the stewards get on top of those standing and by the time they get to around row 12-15 the back of block (the more vocal!) will start a 'stand-up' chant.
The Stewards have no choice but to start back at row 1 or leave it! Usually the latter!

barnfield88 · Post by **barnfield88** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:19 pm

FUCKING HEALTH AND SAFETY NAZI'S

NBM · Post by **NBM** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:22 pm

gooner.ed wrote:this is part of an initiative agreed with redaction.

to maintain the safety licence, the club have to be seen to be able to get sections sat down on occasion during the game.

so in the redsection, a couple of times each half when there is nothing happening (most likely an injury or a goal-kick), a steward will go to the front of the section and give a signal to everyone to sit down for a short time - until something happens to get people back on their feet. those in the section will be pre-notified unofficially of the signal and it will become part of the matchday routine.

the club get their safety licence, the redsection gets to stand for most of the game. this email is part of the club doing what it needs to to retain the safety licence. long term alternative is the seats being taken out of action and the block being empty. no-one wants that.

the club are trying to co-operate with the fans through redaction. it's a difficult balance to strike, but the club do not want to be forced to close sections of the stadium.

Suppose its a decent way of combining the two, do you know if the stewards will be getting orders from elsewhere or will it be at their discression as to when/how often the signal be given.

Signal, pah, makes it sound like linedancing or something poxy like that!

Gooner92 · Post by **Gooner92** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:34 pm

This is why God invented away games.

Boomer · Post by **Boomer** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 1:57 pm

I do think, and this may sound controversial, that bringing back standing sections should be looked into.
I know at the moment this is part of all stadium regulations and a requirement as part of the Taylor report but a review should be done.

Now before anyone jumps in, I've deliberately not said 'Terraces'

In Germany (Dortmund) I'm aware there's standing areas in which there are two terrace steps then a long thick bar the length of the block. (I.E block 5) then after another two steps and a bar again and so on. There's still a stair gang way which no-one stands in.

The problem before with actual terracing is there was too much unrestricted space which leads to un-organisation. Adding to the fact that the numbers entering could fluctuate.

My answer is one which currently exists.
For me the seat is some think to lean on to which could be changed to a 'bus' stop style seat. The seats (bus stop style) are still numbered as current and I would have a season ticket at the same place each time. The match day attendance would be the same 60,100 (odd) as current. However, a section or two would be able to lean. (Stand).

The standing sections would have to be in the corners. If you had sections on either the sides or ends the next blocks would have sight lines problems. Unless we're talking and entire end!?!
This way the corner standing blocks to effect any next door blocks.

I know this is not going to happen but I think the days of â€˜terracingâ€™ have gone. But 20 years and with top stadia that's not to say that regulated sensible areas for standing could be look into.

Chunky The Gooner · Post by **Chunky The Gooner** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 2:03 pm

What pisses me off is when you see the away fans jumping up and dont and nothing gets down about it and then the minute you get up in the home section the stewards come over . I know this is what they are instructed to do but for everybody please. I think the stewards realise they are fighting a losing battle even attempting to get the away fans to sit down.
I know we have a steward on this forum so Id like to see what his view is on the matter and what he has been instructed to do on the subject.

( Fuck me was that actually a serious post from Chunky ? The worlds gone mad !

)

Post by **REB** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 2:09 pm

chunky been serious

going to use that arsenal txt service and report you

Chunky The Gooner · Post by **Chunky The Gooner** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 2:12 pm

I know Rebel Im so annoyed with myself as well I shouldnt have done it . Id like to apologise to all involved and I will try and make sure it doesnt happen again

You lot are lucky I dont know how to post pictures on here otherwise Id put even more shite up here than Rebel does!!!

goonarmy · Post by **goonarmy** » Mon Jul 21, 2008 2:14 pm

Everyone should just text in saying there are people standing up and it's obscuring your view and give a block and row in the away section. Wonder if they'd actually do anything if enough people text in