In our September newsletter we stated our view that legislation regarding standing at football matches needed to be reviewed.

Don Foster MP, former Liberal Democrats sports spokesman, has now launched a bill that would allow safe standing to be introduced into football grounds in England and Wales.

Speaking yesterday the Bath MP launched his Safe Standing Bill by telling Parliament that there was no evidence to show that properly designed standing areas were inherently unsafe. The bill would give all football clubs “the freedom to build, or maintain
existing, safe standing sections in their stadia if they choose” in an established framework of minimum safety criteria.”

“If it can be done safely – and it can be – I believe it would be far better to have a mix of safe seating and safe standing areas in stadia where clubs chose to offer such options. That way, children, families, and those who want a more peaceful experience could have it, while those who want to stand could exercise that right,” Foster said.

The proposed bill has been welcomed by the Football Supporters Federation. Chris Nash from the FSF stated: “Within the lower leagues, rugby league, and horseracing standing areas are safely available. There’s all sorts of legislation to make them safe and there’s no reason it can’t do in top-level football. Why do we have this quirk whereby clubs in the Premier League and Championship are singled out and treated differently?” At present anti-standing legislation does not apply to Leagues One and Two.

Some of you will have read in the last programme about seven year old Grace Murphy, a season ticket holder in South Africa Road. Her family are trying to raise £40,000 so she can have an operation in America which is not available on the NHS but which they hope will significantly improve her quality of life. If you wish to find out more about Grace and her family’s fund raising campaign you can visit the website her family have created for her:- http://www.gracemurphysdrfund.webeden.co.uk/

The Coalition Government has launched an inquiry to consider the case for strategic Government intervention in the administration of professional football clubs. It is claimed that the inquiry is responding not only to high-profile cases at Liverpool and Manchester United but also “to broader concerns that current and future generations of football supporters…are ill-served by current football club regulations”.

The enquiry will look at the scope for enhancing supporter involvement in decision-making processes and consider whether current regulatory processes – including fit and proper persons tests – are adequate.

Committee Chair Mr John Whittingdale said: “The Government has said that it will encourage the reform of football governance rules to support the co-operative ownership of football clubs by supporters, and there is widespread concern that the current
governance arrangements are not fit-for-purpose.

Congratulations to Peter Ramage and Akos Buzsaky for taking part in QPR in the Community’s
latest initative- joining forces with local charities to deliver Christmas hampers
with food and toys to some of the most vulnerable families in West London.

QPR Football Development Manager Dave Robinson stated: “During the year the QPR
in the Community Trust plays a pivotal role in the local community with programmes
across five boroughs. It was nice to get involved in something new by delivering
Christmas hampers to two families. We’re very fortunate that we have a fantastic
group of players both on and off the pitch who insist in getting involved in Trust
programmes such as this. Both Peter and Akos are currently injured but had no problem
in joining me to bring festive cheer to those in need.”