On Monday 5th November, at the Supporters' Clubs Forum monthly meeting, the proposals put forward by the Football Supporters' Federation to allow a trial were under discussion. The FSF's campaign's aims are to persuade the Government, football authorities and football clubs to accept the case for introducing, on a trial basis, limited sections of standing areas at selected ground in the stadiums of Premier League and Championship football clubs.
The result of the discussion was a unanimous vote in favour of not only supporting the proposals, but, along with Clarets Mad, acting as a contact point between the FSF and our club. Those present, who all voted in favour, were Burnley Football Supporters' Club, Colne Clarets, London Clarets, North Manchester Clarets, Rossendale Clarets and West Yorkshire Clarets.
We were delighted when, last Friday, Chief Executive Lee Hoos offered his support. Hoos told the FSF: "While we must emphasise that persistent standing in all-seater stadia such as Turf Moor is against ground regulations, we recognise that a not insignificant number of our fans prefer to watch football standing.
"Having studied the 'rail-seat' concept, we believe that this has merit and may provide a suitable way to enable clubs such as ours to satisfy the demand for safe standing areas in the future. We therefore support the Football Supporters' Federation in calling on the Government to permit a few small-scale trials of such to determine, if successful, the criteria under which we may be able to introduce safe standing at Turf Moor at a future date."
Speaking on behalf of the Supporters' Clubs, Barrie Oliver, BFSC Chairman said: "It remains clear that some supporters wish to stand and others wish to sit to watch games. Both should be given their choice and it is something that the supporters' clubs will fully support.
"We will continue take every opportunity to work alongside the club in support of safe standing."
At the end of October, Clarets Mad asked supporters in favour of the trial to sign the FSF petition and to contact their MP and ask him/her to sign the Early Day Motion EDM573. Click HERE to see that request.
A total of 35 MPs have now signed it and that does not include the Burnley MP Gordon Birtwistle who is still to reply to the request of that day. If you support the proposals please sign the petition and contact your MP.
The supporters' clubs have set up an email address specifically for this issue. We'd appreciate it if you could forward any responses from your MP to this address which is safestandingBurnley@gmail.com along with any further inforrmation.