Liverpool supporters vote by a huge 88 per cent majority in favour of safe standing after 18,000 take part in poll

  • A total of 17,910 people voted online with the majority favouring use of rail seats 
  • Spirit of Shankly organisation say result was 'a significant step' for safe standing 
  • Liverpool's most influential fan organisation will be in favour of introduction
  • 1989 Hillsborough disaster led to all-seater stadiums in football's top two tiers

By Ian Herbert For The Daily Mail

Published: | Updated:

Campaigners for safe standing must now set about winning over the Government, boosted by an overwhelming 88 per cent vote in favour among Liverpool fans.

Westminster sources have told Sportsmail they will need to see a coalition of authorities - including the Premier League, Football Association and police - hammering down its door on this issue. Only then are ministers likely to consider making the necessary change to legislation which was introduced after the 1990 Taylor Report into the Hillsborough Disaster.

The volume of support among Liverpool fans was beyond all expectation, with an extraordinary 17,910 fans voting in an online poll run by the Spirit of Shankly (SoS) organisation. It was the biggest turnout in any supporters' vote.


Some of the Hillsborough families are set against the idea following the tragedy in 1989

Liverpool fan group Spirit of Shankly have voted in favour of bringing in safe standing

Liverpool fan group Spirit of Shankly have voted in favour of bringing in safe standing

SoS said that the result was 'a significant step' in the campaign for the introduction of 'rail seats' which can be locked back, allowing fans to stand. A total of 15,798 fans - 88.21 per cent - said they were in favour of safe seating being introduced, with 902 (five per cent) against and 859 (4.8 per cent) stating that they wanted more information. The rest were undecided.

But though the support of Liverpool supporters was essential, it may still be tough to convince risk-averse ministers and police that the standing sections will not damage the family-friendly, more inclusive atmosphere that all-seat stadiums have created.

The SoS poll found seven out of 10 women in favour and the task of demonstrating that safe standing can benefit all will be helped by the section Shrewsbury Town will open later in the season.

Liverpool fans have been invited to visit Celtic and see their safe-standing section in action

Liverpool fans have been invited to visit Celtic and see their safe-standing section in action

SoS did not want the result to be viewed as a source of celebration 

SoS did not want the result to be viewed as a source of celebration 

Shrewsbury will on Tuesday night launch a crowdfunding campaign to raise the money for what will be the first safe standing section in English football. Their efforts are being supported by one of the world's leading safe standing exponents - Borussia Dortmund. The German club are providing prize tickets for fans to be part of their famous Yellow Wall as a way of encouraging support for the crowdfunding campaign.

SoS chair Jay McKenna said the overwhelming Liverpool vote in favour of safe standing should not be used as a way of brushing aside questions about the technology required.

'We will not stand for anyone misusing our position,' McKenna told the Anfield Wrap podcast. 'There might be people saying, "This is a blank cheque. Liverpool fans have said it's OK". Many views have been expressed and I would urge anyone to listen to fans who have questions to answer.'

Safe standing has been a big hit at Celtic and fan groups in England want it introduced

Safe standing has been a big hit at Celtic and fan groups in England want it introduced

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