Safe Standing

[TrianonDave]

Now been approved for the premier League. Should Villa go for it, maybe lower North until it is knocked down.

[Exiledvillan]

I believe that it is quite an expensive process, so I’d be surprised to see it in the NS, only to be demolished. Quite a while back there were murmurings about the two corners of the lower Holte.

I’d be all for it, if that’s what people really want, as long as it was designated areas. Many would be unable to stand for such a long time. As a young fella, my calves and lower back would ache on a Saturday evening.

Nowadays, I’d be bed/couch ridden all day Sunday

[TrianonDave]

I hear you with the aches and pains but I must admit, thats more down to doing the old up and down thing when we have an attack, in this case of stealth exercise I would rather stand and lean on a barrier! The lower north would in my opinion be ideal as I think the club are reneaging on a knock and more likely to fill the corners in. 60k has now turned into 50k, is it worth tearing it down to increase capacity by Just 7,500?

[Exiledvillan]

The whole stand looks Naf, knock it asap, as you’ve championed for years. Red scouse increased their Main stand at a humongous cost by 8,500, and the Annie Road End will also be flattened to add ‘just’ 7,500.

I feel that any new development of the NS will include a ‘Corporate utopia’, of which Villa Park, or indeed Midlands football, has never seen the likes. Eventually a Conference Centre, Hotel, Corporate venue for Sports and Music. 7,500 extra paying customers.

Some may see all this safe standing talk as being a peace offering, an olive branch, to the real fans, as they see the rest of their ground become financially inaccessible. ‘Herd the oiks into their pens’, wot wot.

C’mon Bongo, there’s a conspiracy theory in there somewhere.

[bongosdad]

I dont have any theory but i dont understand why its an expensive process. All they need to do is unscrew the seats and chuck them out.
I do think its abit unfair. Imagine you have a season ticket and find out you now have to stand.

[TrianonDave]

I do not no anyone or see anyone sitting in the lower North? Always standing, there's a bit of a thing with the away support in that section. I would love the Stand to be ripped down, all the seats are far to close, great for bruises and scrapes on the shins! There is plenty of space at the back but i'm saddened when hearing Purslow saying 2 to 10 years away!!

[Exiledvillan]

They don't rip the seats out Bongo, they install railing, you can still use your seat. Not that you'll see much. The rail appears to pinch a bit of leg space, so we'll have less room.

Clubs have to jump through Health and Safety, and Insurance hoops, there lies the expense.