Safe standing comes to Scottish football. Standing was a part of our game for over a century (and still is in the semi-professional divisions), but the Taylor Report changed the game fundamentally, as grounds were made all-seater in the 1990s. This phenomenon was not restricted to the UK, Uefa (to some extent) enforced the trend on the rest of the Continent.
Then things changed in Germany. New stadiums had railed seating, which allowed spectators to stand during games. This allowed more people to fit into the same space. The grounds still had to be converted to conventional seating for Uefa games, but the phenomenon of safe standing proved, well, safe.
In fact, it is a lot safer than the de facto situation in many UK grounds, where away fans stand in areas which are clearly unsafe for standing crowds.
I understand why Celtic have situated the safe standing area where they have lower-tier corner of North and Lisbon Lions stands, but for me it should be North Stand upper. If you’re going to have a standing section, don’t just site it where one has emerged organically, put it where it best suits the stadium, can have most impact on atmosphere and has room to grow. Make no mistake, demand will outstrip supply for the standing area, and soon enough we’ll be wondering how we grow it.
The stadium can be further-portioned off. At the moment the family area is squashed between the new standing area and away fans – this section also has nowhere to grow. If you want more families, ensure each passing decade the stadium has more targeted family areas.
There should also be greater price differentiation for tickets. The pack-em-in reality of standing areas fits the profile of a cheaper ticket, which fits the reality of the North Stand upper’s isolation from amenities like lounges. Fill the North upper full of cheap, standing tickets, extend facilities like lounges – and charge accordingly, or family facilities, to lower tiers.
You want to stand in a busy area, move about and keep warm – pay less. You want to keep warm in a lounge – pay more. You want to take penalties against Ms Hoopy, go to the family area. Just bring a child, please.
30 years from now, few will want to watch football in a stadium like Celtic Park. This happened to football in the 70s and 80s. It became stuck in the infrastructure of what was then regarded by many as a decrepit bygone era. Many football fans just stopped going. I can see history repeating itself.
Cater for the future or your local shopping mall/multiplex will. In future, everyone will want access to a warm lounge before and after the game, and at halftime. Try planning a leisure activity in northern Europe for the 21st century and come up with any other conclusion.
Ticket machines should be at the perimeter of the stadium footprint. Once inside, you should have fan zones with bars, restaurants, cafes, play areas, shops – mostly undercover. You should never be more than 5 minutes away from being able to spend money. Or spend a penny – with paper towels available all afternoon.
I’m usually in the environs of Celtic Park close to 3 hours on a match day. The opportunities for engagement are enormous, but we’re miles away for thousands of us in the ‘reasonably priced’ seats.
None of this is meant as a criticism. We have a magnificent 20th century stadium, I was one of thousands who paid to build it. All of the above wish-list would cost millions we just don’t have – this is the reality. But we need to have a vision of what our future requirement looks like.
I still miss the old Celtic Park, the new stadium cannot touch if for atmosphere, but what we expect when we go to the football is different now, and will be different again in the future. The first thing I’d do if we broke free of Scottish football is call in the bulldozers and start again.
Season ticket prices remain same as last season, confounding conspiracy theorists four-year fantasy. This caused brief spates of cognitive dissonance before a fresh wave of conspiracies washed the pain away.
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The Green Man…Whete did i say that…Cmon Show me?
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 4TH MAY 2016 11:59 PM
BGX
Yeah…let them cheat us.
Who gives a feck eh
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Good point mate – I don’t give a feck either. Like you, I’ll be buying tickets and supporting the team.
:-))
Drambowieceltic I have two daughters. My wife and daughters love Celtic. My wife was more upset when we lost to the Huns than me. I used to take them to loads of games. None of us go now.
I agree it is for the weans. The question is what are we leaving for them. Celtic or a pale imitation? Or even worse continued racism against them?
BGX
How can you possibly object to supporters who demand that the cheating stops.
its perfectly reasonable and understandable.
Why should we have to put up with it?
The stable needs to be cleaned, and it will be.
I think certain people dont understand the anger that is out there.
Res 12 is vital.
The PLC will not be allowed to ignore it….that much is clear.
Anything else….and we are selling our soul.
HH
NATNOW
Fair play to you.
We see things differently.
Thats no problem.
HH
BGXs was bored with your mysoginistic, homophobic, blind patriotic nonsense long ago. But I guess we all just need to put up with it given you love to revisit it on us.
Neganan2..
Yes, Res 12 is a real bitter pill to swallow.. But, What if at this point in time, its not right to raise publicly and challenge? What if the time is immediately after the High Court appeal and decision?
Max Damage with the backing of the Highest Court in the Land!!!.. not even the ancient order of the buffalo, the crooked SFA, the daily chip wrapper, or the payroll journalists could spin it.
It could be our Bannockburn.. our Leicester City.. our Andy Murray, against all odds!!!!
K T F
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 5TH MAY 2016 12:09 AM
NATNOW
Fair play to you.
We see things differently.
Thats no problem.
HH
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Just my wee attempt at humour mate. :-)
We all see things differently. Important that we hear all voices. Which, on this blog, we do…
St Stivs
Tough for us all. Level playing field is all we ask for and expect. Can’t see what is unreasonable or scary about asking for this from those in power.
HH
CRC
Negannon2..Love to you to xx
Andyr53. There is no connection between res12 and the rest of the cheating. Res12 can stand alone. So that’s no excuse. None. None is offered because none exists.
And Celtic have had plenty of time and opportunity to comment on the rest. But they never will. They are part of it.
NATKNOW
I was just saying today. That those pesky squirrels have gnawed through ‘The Big Picture’, not long after that wee rodent type creature chewed the Hadron Collider cable.
Is this a coincidence?..and what has PL got to do with it?
Thats what i want to know:)
Twin Peaks CSC
HH
At the end of the end of the day I know it’s a personal choice. But if you choose to keep going any complaining about cheating in future is pointless. Because you signed up to it.
The Green man.
Exactly what i MEAN….According to YOU…The Majority of Celtic Fans Dont Give a Fk about res 12..Same way The Majority of The Scottish Electorate Dont Give a Fk About The OBAF(For Negatrons attention)…..Thats Just Life..
Neganon 2@ 12.16
That was too clear and straight to the point.
It will take awhile before it sinks in:)
HH
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 5TH MAY 2016 12:16 AM
NATKNOW
I was just saying today. That those pesky squirrels have gnawed through ‘The Big Picture’, not long after that wee rodent type creature chewed the Hadron Collider cable.
Is this a coincidence?..and what has PL got to do with it?
Thats what i want to know:)
Twin Peaks CSC
HH
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Gnawing? Twin Peakes?? A bloody ear???
Has Big Peter signed Suarez?
:-))
Negannon..
What did you do, Back in the 60’s Early 70’s When the Refs ie Wharton Davidson Were cheating Celtic..
What Did You Do?
BGX
You picked me up wrong.
Where did i say that Celtic fans dont give a feck about Res 12?
I dont involve myself with the Scottish electorate….im more interested in Celtic.
We all have different views.
So what?
HH
NEGANON2 on 5TH MAY 2016 12:16 AM
At the end of the end of the day I know it’s a personal choice. But if you choose to keep going any complaining about cheating in future is pointless. Because you signed up to it.
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People make choices. If they decide later to change their mind then they will. They might decide to moan in the interim.
So what?
@Neg ..First of all ..there will never be a pale imitation..
You can’t imitate perfection….Only absorb the soul of the original..
Anyhoo. 20 years from now ..our whims will be like cotton candy..
So why not enjoy the Hoops while we can?….
H.H.Fellow Celt..
So What…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEC8nqT6Rrk
Natknow
Dont know if i mentioned that there was uproar at the recent Celtic awards, when PL tried to award himself the Player of the year trophy.
Seemingly he took off at full pelt with the award under his arm and headed for the doors.
Leigh Griff had to put him in a headlock while the Norwegian trainer sedated him:)
HH
BGX I thought we were fighting a cause together. Now I know the people who run our club are simply exploiting the cheating for monetary game. So we are not fighting a cause. Just pretending to watch a non sporting occasion.
Nat know. If you know you are being cheated why not tackle it now? Why wait? What are we waiting for?
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 5TH MAY 2016 12:27 AM
Natknow
Dont know if i mentioned that there was uproar at the recent Celtic awards, when PL tried to award himself the Player of the year trophy.
Seemingly he took off at full pelt with the award under his arm and headed for the doors.
Leigh Griff had to put him in a headlock while the Norwegian trainer sedated him:)
HH
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Given some of the performances this season, PL was in with a shout. Only The Griffalo bested him. That’s why PL was in the changing rooms…
Drambowiecelt the board have betrayed us. You are saying i should simply ignore it and move on and pretend it didn’t happen.
I can’t do that. I think that probably means a parting of the ways for me with whatever Celtic has become. I guess we will all know soon.
NEGANON2 on 5TH MAY 2016 12:28 AM
Nat know. If you know you are being cheated why not tackle it now? Why wait? What are we waiting for?
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You ask so many questions and answer so few yourself. And move so seamlessly from “you” to “we”.
Tackle whatever you like.
“We”? – who is it that you’re taking with you?
The Green Man
.I Said majority of Celtic Fans Dont Give a Fk About Res 12..They Dont…What im saying is The Moaning bitchin ive been betrayed from posters on here is in my opionion
Embarrassing…FFs act Like Men…Keep it To YOURSELF…Im Tired of Hearing it.
Dont Renew..Dont Watch on TV..Take Up Knitting..
Gotta Say…I Find CQN..Really Funny These Days..I Mean…I Really Like the Poster Who Say..” Im Renewing My Season Ticket Because we love being Cheated”..strange Phenominom..or..Im Renewing cause I love being shafted by LAWWELL… Or Im Renewing cause I don’t care if We Do something About Res 12…LISTEN UP…Thats YOUR Decsion..And Thats Ok…BUT..FFS…Keep it To YOURSELF..I For One Am Bored the Fk Hearing About it…If You to Go See CELTIC…THen go…Keep Your Moanin Bitchin Woman Soul Searching keep betraying me Crap you Yourself..Go watch Celtic ..Dont watch Them on TV..Take the Fk Up Old Firm fawning….
.Who The Fk Cares…COYBIGFMO
Natknow
I bet that right now….PL has got has got his Celtic tracksuit on and is knocking a ball about his heated driveway.
I expect to see him in the squad for next season:)
In fact…he might even get his own show in Las Vegas.
Anything is possible for the Leonard Zelig of Celtic.
The sky is the limit….for Peter that is:)
HH
Neganon2…I Hear Knitting in a Dark Room, While Listen to Elton Johns ” Candle in the wind” Is Theraputic for men like yourself..Men who have to deal with Massive Dissapointment in their life…Hope That Helps ..Peace and Love
BGX
‘Take up knitting’
What….and knit a big ‘Sack the Board’ blanket:)
Good idea.
HH
@NEG2…….
Veta Brevis Est……
H.H.
THE GREEN MAN SAYS SACK THE BOARD on 5TH MAY 2016 12:34 AM
Natknow
I bet that right now….PL has got has got his Celtic tracksuit on and is knocking a ball about his heated driveway.
I expect to see him in the squad for next season:)
In fact…he might even get his own show in Las Vegas.
Anything is possible for the Leonard Zelig of Celtic.
The sky is the limit….for Peter that is:)
HH
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He’ll certainly have his trackie on, but I imagine that he’ll be in bed by now to rest before getting into the dressing room on Sunday to deliver the message that pay packets will be docked for players who use company time to undertake charity work..
TROLLED BY MWD…
FAME AT LAST…
BGX
Sack the board socks and jumpers
Surefire winner
Excellent:)
HH
BGX back into the same old. Try and get a brain.
Natnow I have answered plenty of questions but you don’t like being asked. Oh dear.
Good night.
NEGANON2 on 5TH MAY 2016 12:39 AM
Natnow I have answered plenty of questions but you don’t like being asked. Oh dear.
Good night.
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You seem to think I should have answers for you? Each to their own.
Oh dear Neganon2, oh dear. What have we become?
Night night. God bless.
NATKNOW
PL in his office.
Let me see.
I reckon Albert Finney as Scrooge would cover that scenario:)
Scrooge counting his pennies into the Biscuit-tin.
Humbug!
Yeah…can see it all now.
HH