Most Scottish football fans back safe standing areas

survey: Fans not convinced Scottish football is committed to them

Fans of Scottish football back the introduction of safe standing areas, with 88% saying they are in favour of such areas in football grounds.

The revelation comes as results of this year’s Scottish Football Supporters Survey is released.

Dundee United fan chief Campbell McInally, from supporters club Monte Carlo 81, said he would be in favour of anything that brings more fans through the turnstiles.

He said: “I’m old enough to remember the Taylor Report and I’m of the opinion that we should never have done away with it.”

Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) chief executive Neil Doncaster said: “There has been major investment and innovation at some of our biggest clubs’ stadia to enhance match- day experience for supporters, Celtic Park’s safe standing area (the first in the UK) and the new Tynecastle Park main stand development being two great examples.

“Further, Aberdeen FC is presently campaigning for support for a new stadium development, which would be the biggest seen in this country for many years and includes supporter-friendly facilities such as a dedicated fan zone, community pavilion, museum, café and bar.

“Investment in current and new stadia, at all levels, can only further improve the quality of experience for fans of all ages.”

In addition to supporters being in favour of having the option to stand and watch games, more than 55% of fans also said they do not believe Scottish football is committed to a “high-quality fan experience”.

Close to 14,000 fans took part in the survey, which is carried out by Supporters Direct Scotland in partnership with the Scottish Football Association and SPFL.

Head of Supporters Direct Scotland, Andrew Jenkin, said: “What we are seeing now is a really clear demand from supporters to see greater value for money around football.

“Supporters Direct Scotland appreciates the extremely challenging balance that our clubs face, and we want to support them.

“Addressing value for money might include looking at more pricing variation, and ways of delivering added value.

“Attendances are by-and-large an improving picture, but it’s absolutely critical we future-proof Scottish football by being on the front foot.”