by Our Sports Desk

FOOTBALL fans urged more politicians to get behind the campaign to bring standing back to grounds yesterday after the Liberal Democrats said they would make it part of their 2015 election manifesto.

Most parties have offered to “explore” the idea in the past but Lib Dem culture media and sport spokesman John Leech swung behind the long-running Football Supporters Federation (FSF) campaign.

“Football clubs should be allowed to introduce safe -standing areas where there is a desire to do so,” he said, pointing out that it is allowed in many other sports.

“We are not calling for a return of the terraces of the 1980s. Modern safe-standing areas using ‘rail seating’ operate very successfully in top-tier football across Europe.

“Safe standing offers supporters more choice, a better atmosphere and cheaper tickets. It is an idea whose time has come and I am proud that it is the Liberal Democrats are the first political party to commit to delivering this.”

Standing at football grounds was outlawed after the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, where 96 fans were crushed to death on the terraces — with recent investigations largely blaming poor policing for the tragedy rather than lack of seats.

“Terrace culture” was also pegged as contributing to British fans’ images as hooligans.

But the FSF claims that “rail seating” — in use across much of Europe — is both safe, as barriers between every row avoid a crush, and clearly marked areas and ticketing prevent overcrowding.

Rail seating also easily converts from standing to seating to meet international standards.

“Nowadays, we know that around 70 per cent of clubs in the Premier League and Football League openly back a trial, with many supportive voices within the game, and even the Football League backing a trial,” said the campaign.