Exclusive | Manchester United to try out safe standing at Old Trafford when football returns
- Club has been allowed to introduce a 1,500-capacity section of ‘rail seating’ by local council with MUST negotiating participants
- Standing officially ended when stadium became an all-seater in 1994 but fans have persistently stood
Manchester United have received the go ahead to trial a section of barrier seating, commonly referred to as rail seats, at Old Trafford when football resumes with supporters inside stadiums.
United fans have long favoured the idea of having a choice whether they sit or stand at matches ever since Old Trafford’s last standing terrace was turned to seating in 1994. A similar section inside Celtic Park in Glasgow has been a success, boosting the atmosphere and allowing fans who want to stand to do so together.
United have long been in favour of allowing their fans the option to stand at games, but legislation has prevented it. Changes have meant that the club’s local Safety Advisory Group at Trafford Council have given approval for a 1,500 capacity section in the North East quadrant corner section known by fans as “J Stand” to be used for the trial.
The rail seats will be installed in an area long associated with persistent standing by supporters. It is safer if these fans stand with a barrier in front of them. As it is a trial the area needs to be of a manageable size.
The Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST) has been pushing for safe standing sections to be introduced to Old Trafford since the 1990s.
Old Trafford’s atmosphere was badly affected when the stadium went all-seater, in tandem with sharply rising ticket prices. Those prices have now remained static for a decade, with more discounts given to younger fans.
For years, the club turned a blind eye to supporter complaints as vocal fans were spread around the vast stadium. At one point in 1995, the club even paid for a brass band to try and kick start the noise level. They were completely out of touch with what fans wanted, but recent years has seen progress with United in regular communication with fans including The Red Army, an independent group who have built on the work of MUST and hugely boosted the atmosphere in the Stretford End, long the vocal heartland of United support.
The new section will be at the opposite end of the Old Trafford.
“We delighted that the Club has been given the green light to proceed with a barrier seating trial at Old Trafford,” said MUST in a statement. “This area works for the club logistically and it was also preferable due to being an area where fans now stand and therefore barrier seats should enhance safety.”
The area was also chosen as it does not affect the sight lines for supporters who are sitting down in any other section, meaning that they too would have to stand to see the game. It is anticipated to take around up to three months for United to convert a section from the existing seats to one with rail seats – which can be turned into conventional seats if needed.
It is anticipated that existing season ticket holders will have the first option to go in the new section and if it’s a success then other sections of Old Trafford could be similarly converted into this type of seats which are popular in German football stadiums.
MUST are in discussion as to who will be able to participate in the trial. No fans will be asked to leave the area.
“In our opinion, to create the best chance of a successful trial it ideally needs to be populated with the same supporters every game to ensure all involved understand the trial and how to behave especially when dealing with requests from stewards,” said MUST. “They should be fans who support the objectives and understand the regulations around barrier seating.”
United have indicated that if the trial is a success then they will look at expanding it to other areas of the ground in the future. MUST is encouraging fans to register their interest.
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