Liverpool fans "voted overwhelmingly in favour of the return of standing to elite English football grounds," according to Ben Rumsby of the London TELEGRAPH. Almost nine out of 10 of those who responded to a landmark poll "backed the introduction of so-called rail seating" to the country's Premier League and League Championship stadiums. Only 5% of the 17,910 supporters who took part "were against, with the remainder either undecided or wanting more information." The outcome will be seen as a "key moment in the campaign for the return of standing to the English game for the first time since terracing was outlawed in the top two divisions in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster," which claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool fans (TELEGRAPH, 7/31). In London, Andy Hunter reported the week-long poll was conducted by the Spirit of Shankly supporters union, which has "held discussions with Hillsborough families and survivors over the past nine months." A separate vote among SOS members "returned similar figures in all categories." The highest category of respondents were "aged between 22 and 34 (40%)." Of those old enough to have stood on the old Kop (those aged over 12 in '94), 85% "voted in favour." SOS in a statement said, "Such a turnout and overwhelming majority in favour of rail seating cannot be ignored. ... Our voice and views should not be misused, misrepresented or misappropriated by anyone. We will not allow that. No one has 'won.' There are no winners or losers" (GUARDIAN, 7/31).
