At the latest Supporters consultation meeting we had some interesting words on the re-introduction of standing at VP.
For those over us over 30 we remember the experience of standing oh so well. With Scotland trialling safe standing and with Germany having totally safe terracing there is no reason we could not have it here.
In fact over the weekend I saw a tweet saying that Richard Scudamore of the PL was saying safe standing could happen. So on VT when ‘Out Before Easter’ (Scott) posted what happened at the SCG at Everton imagine my delight and shock
VILLA TALK LINK and go to the bottom of the page and we have this quote
Firstly, Paul Faulkner opened by raising the subject of staff standing – it would appear that there are a number of clubs that are prepared to get behind the idea and with Scotland having gotten a green light in December to go ahead we’re definitely in favour.
Villa Park is apparently a good fit for safe standing, it’s much more difficult in new stadiums like the Emirates, but the club have already it would appear identified areas of Villa Park that they could use to trial the idea and are looking to push ahead.
Ideally it can help atmosphere, reduce prices in some areas (more people in less space = cheaper tickets and the same revenue) and attract younger supporters. It’ll be interesting to see how this one pans out, but it seems a genuine attempt is in the offing.
I have no doubt that this is true and no doubt Villa would agree to a trial, is it in fact along with Scudamore’s comments a massive sign that we in the PL will trial it ? The areas that Faulkner refers to are easy to identify, Lower North stand and Lower Holte. I wonder if they have looked that much in depth then are plans further advanced than hinted at ?
I should add that the General when posting refused to entertain any idea of safe standing, saying it was not legally possible. Interesting how in a few weeks the position has changed since Scotland said they would trial it.
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What’s the policy with away fans standing? They always stand at the DW for the whole game, like City fans tonight
It would be superb for standing to return to Villa Park. Cant see it happening though sadly. Too much opposition from lesbians in the media and government with no idea about football
JPA, we have changed our position and the PL know when it works in Scotland the momentum will be massive, Plus of course the economic situation means clubs need to bring fans back in, Converting North and Holter would actually be quite cheap, you could get an extra 1000 in the North lower and probably 3000 more in holte Lower, immediate increase in capacity with little spent.
i loved the holte lets all have a disco surging forward the old steps at the back sitting on the side wall when i was younger then moving into the back they were days.. where you got them figures from for extra 4 thousand on gates … the fact is will villa get more people in if its standing at moment in time i dont think they will look villa are stuggling to sell tickets full stop the deal for season ticket holders at min for qpr game i have asked a few mates about going for tenner and get laughed at.. the fact is the game is going full circle the money has ruined it and the empty seats is alarming down the villa at bottom of holte i sit lower but at back so you dont really see the gaping gaps but on telly i seen it on tv and its bad turning back to standing would make it appear better.. i see the point but i still say its what happens on the pitch that dictates how the stands are.. and how much will people will be prepared to pay to stand up i think there is a lot more to worry about at moment than standing up guys.. all sounds great idea but far more issues at avfc and faulkner let me guess hand selected a few for this forum..
It would be great in the early 60s i stood on a box in the Holte until i was tall enough to see the game jump & sing with the rest best days ever with an atmosphere not felt in decades
Bring it back
That’s what I like to see. A bit of homophobia to add to your ‘biggest dick on this blog’ status.
What a tool.
And before you say you’re not homophobic or that I’m being overly politically correct, just look at what you’ve written and understand that you are using the word ‘lesbian’ in a derogatory way.
Helmut Faulstich sagt:Hallo, Herr Berscheminski,hab mal ein bshscien auf Ihrer Seite rumgestöbert. Ich glaube, ich höre hier auf und gehe unter das fliegende Volk.
Thank god……..I saw the headline and assumed AM had identified Michael as his number 1 target to bolster our midfield.
The return of standing would be immense, so much more enjoyable watching a game of football on your feet than it is on those horrible little seats
haha…not only you..puuuh!
I started supporting the Villa during the 1993/94 season – which I believe was the first season seating was introduced in the Holte End?
I would love to see it come back. The atmosphere and banter at Bristol Rovers was brilliant and I loved the little surges when we scored.
I can’t think of many away games I’ve remained seated at except for Swansea, where the stewards just would not shut up and actually started chucking people out for persistent standing!
Bring it back and have a bit of old-school back in the sport!
“I loved the little surges when we scored.”
Trouble is Sammy, those surges used to be 20ft or more deep when the Holte was at it’s prime.
Absolutely brilliant, but far too much weight on the people at the front for H&S’ liking.
That’s why it’ll never come back the way it was.
because if you check Germany you do not have the surges
Also it was not a surge that killed anyone it was the fences.
Hallo Katharina,da ich noch auf der Suche nach einem Startplatz für den Strongman bin, bin ich auf Deiner Seite gdalneet.Falls Deine Leiden noch bestehen, was ich Dir aber nicht wünsche, würde ich Dir gern den Startplatz abnehmen.Sport freiGunther
Standing in the holte in the early nineties was something I will never forget, chatting to your friends in a group and jumping up and down when we scored, still remember watching from the rear left of the holte when Stevie Staunton scored a blast from outside the area in top corner against arsenal, I think we won 2 – 1, anyone else there or remember it?
Bring standing back ! UTV sotc x
Standing?
What a great thought!!!
It’ll never happen, the way it used to, though.
H&S would never allow it the way it was.
When we scored, I used to have to jump under the bar, to avoid getting crushed.
But the jumping around and celebrating the goal with whoever was next to you, just couldn’t be beat.
This is the way forward and I’d even go so far in saying that it might actually save the game.
Fans will be allowed to show some proper passion, at long last.
Bring it on!!!
I seem to remember lower north stand was designed as a standing terrace back in the 70s so to remove seats and re-erect barriers would be no problem Not sure if the holte could be coverted, is width of steps a factor? I am assuming that perimeter fencing will never return. That, and alledgely poor policing, was the reason stadiums became all seater.
the question with the Holte lower is not the spacing of steps as safe standing incorporates seats as per Germany. I just feel the stand would need to be strengthened.
I don’t think standing in the lower Holte would be allowed in its current set up. Why? Well inside the stand it is actually very narrow, due to the Holte suite. I have seen quite severe crushing at half times even now. So there’s no way more people would be allowed into the lower Holte unless the inside of the stand was enlarged. Seeing as we’ve just refurbished the holte suite I’m not sure how that could happen.
you extend the concourse out and around the Holte suite, further underneath the steps.
Who wouldn’t love for this to happen? We might get some semblance of an atmosphere back.
Forgot to say the stand was passable as of 1994, given the crushing it might be tough to get it passed in 2012
To be honest, the stadium looks better with seats. Just looks like a lump of concrete without them.
p.s what use would it do us now? We wouldn’t suddenly sell out game after game and i think, with respect, that some people are living in the past.
Im sure alot have fond memories of standing back in the day and the atmosphere being vibrant.
But lets be honest football is a totally different game now, and I dont think standing areas would change that
just look at GErmany, that is all that needs to be said.
or look at the total lack of atmosphere at all but one ground (Stoke) and even there it is dying, terracing would make a massive improvement to the game, don;t believe the sky hype.
True but i think alot of that is down to the football, and then the glory hunters suppprting the so called bigger teams…
I juat think it will take more than a couppe of standing areas to change it, wed need to change the attitude of the stewards from being ex bouncer nazi wannabes to people who allow you to enjoy the match
good idea
If it means having cheaper access to matches then it has to be a good idea.
I’m glad something positive is emanating from VP, even though Villa do not seem to have originated the concept.
Doug wanted to keep some standing room, I remember …
I used to watch loads of football years ago, I remember being in the terrace looking at the people in the seats thinking how bored they looked, bring back standing it would give the game a much needed boost.
On another note i think its sad that 2 more clubs look like they wont be making it to the end of the season Darlington and Kettering Town look like they may be going bust in the next couple of weeks. So many clubs are going this way and I feel all the money being pumped into the game at the top is destroying non league football, the foundations of our game. Sad Times
but those have nothing to do with the PL, Darlington is because somehow a crook built them a ground 4 times bigger than they needed and it crippled them. Lower league clubs can easily stand alone. They offer terracing, should offer cheaper prices etc. However they have to cut their cloth in the right manner and keep wages under strict control.
you do wonder of course when a PL club will actually go
You are right I think a big problem in the game are dodgy chairman running clubs into the ground.
Darlington have had to sack all players and staff, its a shame the big clubs cant donate a player each so the club can make it through the weekend, this would give youth players vital experience and keep clubs like Darlington, Kettering and a few others that are struggling a chance of survival.
Its a shame that some clubs are going under its the greed factor, if pl clubs start going the bigger clubs wont be able to go on they need smaller clubs its the only way football works, it needs a shake up quick a lot more clubs will go soon
The sooner the better, hopefully this would bring back the passion to VP and some young blood instead of being the preserve of us 40 somethings. The German model is a great example last time I looked this up the average cost of the terraces at a bundesliga game was £13 including travel, well affordable to all. What part of VP they looking at? Lower Holte? Bottom of the North stand?
Crushing at VP? Not with McLeish as manager. The way things are going, there will be so much space that, we will soon be shouting and waving to each other!
Michael Standing?
Back at Villa Park?
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