Norwich City supporters group in favour of 'safe standing' trials

A pilot scheme would see spectators legally stand to watch a game for the first time since 1994

Author: Tom ClabonPublished 1st Sep 2021
Last updated 1st Sep 2021

A Norwich City supporters group say they're delighted that the Government are considering plans to trial 'safe standing' this season.

This comes after sports minister, Nigel Huddleston confirmed they were looking at piloting the format at a number of different games and stadiums.

A pilot scheme would see spectators legally stand to watch a game for the first time since 1994.

Robin Sainty, the chairman of the Canaries Trust told us that "work has been done already" to re-introduce safe-standing to Carrow Road. He went on to say that "considerable research has taken place over the last five years, to see how it would be introduced and to prevent the failings of the past".

He also told us that all away fans stand up for the entire match anyway, and that its very dangerous standing up with the current seats in front of you- "You've got something that comes up to about shin height, so if you get a whack in the back you're going flying."

He said that with 'safe standing' in place, "you have the same room as you would have, but now you have a rail that's waist height in front of you and one behind you. So it's actually safer."

However, Mr Sainty concluded by saying it was "very unlikely" that this format would be piloted at Carrow Road- "It's inevitable that they're going to use grounds like Molineux where there is already rail seating in place. All they've got to do there is remove the normal seat"

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