A second English club was on Tuesday "in talks over reintroducing standing" at its stadium as "pressure mounted on the Government to scrap the law banning the country's biggest teams from doing the same," according to Ben Rumsby of the London TELEGRAPH. League One side Northampton Town was considering joining Shrewsbury Town in announcing plans to create a so-called "safe standing" area after "the latter became the first club to apply for permission to install rail seating." That was expected to be granted after the government-appointed Sports Grounds Safety Authority earlier this year "approved the use of such seating in 21 stadia not subject to legislation on all-seater stadia." That law currently prevents any club in the Premier League or League Championship from following suit, meaning Shrewsbury faces the prospect of installing around 400 rail seats next season, "only to have to rip them out again within three years" were it to secure promotion. The same could apply to Northampton Town, though club Chair Kelvin Thomas said, "We're just in discussions now." The man "leading the campaign for rail seating to be licensed for use in England," Jon Darch, of the Safe Standing Roadshow, branded the government's position on the issue as "absolutely bonkers" (TELEGRAPH, 6/27). In London, Ian Herbert reported a survey of Northampton fans four months ago revealed that more than 85% were "in favour of introducing rail seats to allow standing." For safe standing to be introduced at bigger clubs, the government will reportedly "want to see a coalition -- including the FA, Premier League and police -- hammering on the door to press the issue." Only then are they "likely to consider changing the legislation introduced after the 1990 Taylor Report into the Hillsborough disaster." The "toughest task" will be to convince the police. Assistant Chief Constable Mark Roberts, Great Britain's top football police officer, said, "I'd need to be convinced about safety and then start discussions on security" (DAILY MAIL, 6/27).
