Stockport send warning to supporters over persistent standing during games

Stockport send a warning to their supporters over persistent standing during games ahead of their next home match against Doncaster.

They have taken the opportunity to remind fans of some important safety information for those who attend matches at Edgeley Park.

Grounds are inspected by licensing officers of The Sports Ground Safety Authority – the body responsible for the issuing of licenses to sports grounds for all football matches played in England and Wales – and they formally highlight to the football club an issue of ‘persistent standing’ in the North stand, particularly in blocks 2,3 and 4 of the North Lower.

They describe the term ‘persistent’, as situations where individuals in seated areas stand for prolonged periods of time rather than during short periods of play where it could be deemed unnatural to remain seated.

As a condition of our license the Club must be rigorous in upholding the all-seater conditions of the Football Spectators Act 1989, the purpose of which is ‘to provide for the safety of spectators’. In addition to the need to meet these licensing conditions, some of our supporters in these areas have complained to the Club because they simply cannot stand for long periods due to age and/or health problems or are unable to see if they are located at the back of the stand.

Clubs hope fans can understand that this follows on from the FA, Premier League and EFL’s collective commitment to tackle anti-social and criminal behaviours at matches. Every Club in the league recognises the safety and wellbeing of everyone attending or working matchdays as a priority.

Failure to comply with these regulations could lead to punishment for the Club or as referenced earlier, partial closure of the stadium to supporters.

The club have issued a statement regarding the issue of persistent standing at Edgeley Park.#StockportCounty

— Stockport County (@StockportCounty) October 6, 2023

CLUB STATEMENT:

The club have issued the following statement regarding the issue of persistent standing during games at Edgeley Park:

As a football club, Stockport County FC work under a safety certificate issued by Stockport Borough Council and is monitored by the Sports Grounds Safety Authority. We have recently contacted by Stockport Borough Council asking us to intervene on the matter surrounding persistent standing before they take further action.

Please note that for safety reasons, persistent standing inside the ground is not permitted. Persistent standing in the stairwells, exits and gangways is a safety risk, and continuing to do so may lead to further punishments for the club, including the closure of blocks of seats or entire stands at the stadium.

The repercussions and wider impact this could have on a significant number of supporters is further reason why we are taking a strong stance on the issue of persistent standing in the Cheadle End, and why we are in a position whereby additional action such as match bans for supporters for not complying have been required.

Stockport County Football Club is dedicated to ensuring Edgeley Park is a safe and enjoyable environment for all supporters. We thank you for your cooperation and understanding on this matter.

Here’s how fans reacted as Stockport send a warning to supporters over persistent standing during games…

@Jay__Arron: What you in for mate? “Stood up at home to Crawley on a Tuesday night”

@lukeash10: It’s all the goals we keep scoring. We were constantly on our feet against Wrexham

@DanDriver05: you have to be taking the piss

@TurnpenneyJohn: They dont want you to stand. But leave Hardcastle road open after the game as thousands of people are leaving dont talk to me about safety @StockportMBC

@groundhopper80: What’s wrong with standing.. I hate sitting down at games. Especially when leg space is so little. I’m sure there is more pressing issues to be bothered about that releasing statements like this.

@Ben_SK3: Sort out a safe standing area. I suggest all the upper tier CE

@shez_1987: “Stand up if you love County” for the full 90 minutes?

@otcountyculture: My seats uncomfortable

@QPRTravels: We successfully converted a few blocks to safe standing. Club worked with the fans on it. Maybe that would be a good idea 🤷🏻‍♂️

@AdamHaslam8:
Hot off the press: Saturday’s pre match music
Stand by me
Stand by your man
Can’t stand losing you
I can’t stand the rain
Stand
Don’t stand so close
5-0
Stand and Deliver
Get Up, Stand Up
You can’t stand alone
Running to stand still
See you all on Saturday

@waggiems: So is this going to be the same stance for away fans when they have the railway end? As you can never see the walkways when away fans are in there.

@OfficialScottyT: You have got to be kidding.

@Anthony60470556: I assume this goes for away fans as well? Or are we just having a dig at our own fans?

@drfc_network: Games gone.

@stanleypulis: do they call it edgeley park because everyone in the stadium just edges all the time or is that me being weird ahaha

@JoshuaJackYCFC: Why the hell are clubs telling people not to stand up?! What a joke, how have we got to the point where standing up is now a safety hazard??