At the start of December 2011, not one club in England, Scotland or Wales had publicly declared its interest in safe standing. What a difference a year makes! The picture as we approach the end of December 2012 is very different indeed.
The entire Scottish Premier League is now free to trial rail seats, while in Engand, following Aston Villa's leadin January, the list of clubs to follow in support of safe standing trials grows by the week.
Included in the roll of safe standing honour are now: Derby County, Peterborough, Sunderland, AFC Wimbledon, Hull City, Crystal Palace, Bristol City, Burnley, Watford, Doncaster Rovers, Cardiff City, Plymouth Argyle, Aldershot, Exeter City, Wolves and Swansea City. In other news during the latter months of the year we reported on:
- a police chief superintendent who liked the look of rail seats in Leicester
- the roadshow unit's appearance on a pilot TV show
- the release of a four-minute TV news-style video (now viewed by nearly 10,000 people)
- and the release of pictures of what some would have you believe show the 'unacceptable face' of standing in 2012'!
- Plus, on the TV appearance by West Ham's David Gold, where he explained rail seats and said he hopes West Ham can have safe standing in the Olympic Stadium
- on Reading's confirmation to their Supporters Trust that they agree "in principle" with safe standing and
- on media reports that Manchester City have asked the FA for permission to run safe standing trials.