MAN UTD FANS WILL SOON BE ON THEIR FEET
Standing fans are coming back to Manchester United for the first time since the Taylor Report.Trafford Council has approved a proposal to bring in a section of rail seating in the north-east corner of Old Trafford.
At 1,500, the number of fans who can stand is small fry in a ground which holds 76,000 but symbolically it is a big victory for the Manchester United Supporters Trust which has been pushing for a return to standing for some time.
The railings separating the rows prevent the surges familiar to crowds of the terrace generations but at least some fans can savour a little of the superior atmosphere English fans enjoyed pre-Taylor.
Said report was in response to the Hillsborough tragedy in 1989 when 96 Liverpool fans asphyxiated but that was due to the fences stopping pitch incursions which prevented an escape from overcrowding.
This season, Oxford, Shrewsbury and Wycombe have been trialling safe standing and the Sports Ground Safety Authority issued an interim report praising its "positive impact on spectator safety."
Safe standing already exists at Celtic and Dortmund amongst other a few clubs outside England, rail seating which converts to the seats required for UEFA competitions.
Hitherto, standing has been prohibited in England's top two divisions since the Taylor Report.
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(c) Sean O'Conor & Soccerphile