I

S IT time for safe standing? It’s a debate that has divided opinion – and is on-going – but in my opinion the answer is ‘yes’.

The Hillsborough disaster in 1989 is something we don’t want to happen again but times have changed.

It has been proven in Germany that safe standing works and it also helps create a better atmosphere at matches (and cheaper ticket and season ticket prices, which is a bonus for fans).

In my experiences of going to football matches, the away support is usually fantastic. Part of the reason for that is that everybody stands.

But if you stand at home matches, sometimes you can block the view of people who are sitting down, which isn’t fair.

I believe fans should have the option of a seated area or a standing area. The people who want to sit can do so and the people who want a better atmosphere and like standing can go in the standing section.

Understandably, some families affected by Hillsborough do not want safe standing and I understand that, but I feel the disaster was caused by the police poorly managing a moving crowd and the fact there was fencing behind the goal.