Football fans will be able to stand in some of the biggest stadia in England and Wales from tomorrow (2 January), as the Government launches its landmark trial of safe standing for the remainder of the domestic football season.

Supporters attending Chelsea against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge will see new facilities in use within the Matthew Harding Stand lower tier and Shed End upper and lower tiers.

It follows Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston recently visiting the stadium to inspect the arrangements put in place, and meet with fans and club representatives.

Safe standing at football grounds – Stamford Bridge

Five clubs – Cardiff City FC, Chelsea FC, Manchester City FC, Manchester United FC and Tottenham Hotspur FC – will be the first in the top two tiers of football to have licensed ‘safe standing’ in designated seated areas for home and away fans, as the Government works towards fulfilling its manifesto commitment.

The grounds have been selected following an application process, open to all grounds covered by the all-seater policy, led by the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA).

The clubs involved in the pilot will have to adhere to strict conditions including enhanced use of CCTV, improved steward training, and fans utilising licensed safe standing areas being strictly limited to ‘one person, one space.’

Each supporter will occupy the same area that they would take up if they were sitting, with a traceable, numbered ticket. Barriers will be in place behind and in front of every individual. Seats must not be locked in the up or down position, so fans can choose to sit if they wish to, and the standing areas must not affect the views of other fans.

Standing areas are already commonplace in Germany’s Bundesliga and there are similar examples across the rest of Europe, the United States and Australia.

Nigel Huddleston, Minister for Sport, said:

Fans have long campaigned for the introduction of safe standing, so I’m pleased that Stamford Bridge will launch this pilot programme that will allow us to carry out an in-depth trial at some of our biggest stadia over the remainder of the season, and inform a decision on a widespread roll-out.

Safety will be absolutely paramount at all times. Detailed work is being carried out to monitor these early adopters, and the SGSA will work hand-in-glove with football clubs, supporters groups, local authorities and the police.

The introduction of licensed standing areas follows research conducted during the 2019/20 season, prior to the onset of the pandemic, which found that seats with barriers/independent barriers helped reduce the safety risks related to standing in seated areas.

Over the remaining part of the season, research will be carried out at the grounds by CFE Research, to evaluate the implementation of licensed standing areas at early adopter grounds.

This research will be provided to the Government to inform its decisions about the potential wider roll-out of licensed standing from the start of the 2022/23 season for Premier League and Championship clubs that wish to introduce it and have met the strict conditions.

Ken Scott, Head of Inspectorate of the Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA), said:

The focus of the SGSA is the safety of all fans at sports grounds. We know there is a safety risk arising from fans who persistently stand in seated areas, demonstrated in independent research. The advent of new engineering solutions and the findings from our research has shown this can be managed safely. The early adopters programme will enable us to properly test and evaluate licensed standing areas and advise the Government in its next steps.

Kevin Miles, Chief Executive of the Football Supporters Association, said:

This is a huge step forward. This is something we’ve been campaigning for 30 years on. It’s great to see people now being offered the choice on whether to sit or stand at a football match. I will feel more secure having that safety rail in front of me there. I think that will make a difference to the confidence of fans in the stands about their own safety.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

• This announcement affects clubs subject to the Government’s all-seater policy. That is, clubs in the Premier League and Championship, or any who have been for three or more seasons since 1994/95, along with the Wembley Stadium and the Principality Stadium.

The military division of the list has been published today, granting state honours to personnel serving in the Royal Navy, British Army, and Royal Air Force. Personnel have been recognised for extraordinary contributions to their Service and country, from support throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to fundraising for injured and ill personnel and veterans.

Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace said:

I would like to congratulate the brilliant service men and women who have been granted state honours in the New Year Honours list.

These individuals are an inspiration to us all and their phenomenal achievements are testament to the exceptional work that our Armed Forces carry out, at home and abroad, every single day. The breadth of the awards also reflects our efforts to foster greater diversity and inclusion, and I am pleased to note the award of a Damehood to Air Marshal Susan Gray, which recognises her achievement as the first woman to be promoted to 3-star rank in any of the Services.

I am extremely proud of our people who continue to serve our country with great honour and distinction.

Air Marshal Susan Gray of the RAF has been awarded a DBE, cited as being one of the Service’s most senior and celebrated engineering officers, and an inspirational ambassador for women in defence.

Also among the personnel granted state honours is Senior Aircraftwoman Shona Brownlee, who has been awarded an MBE. She was nominated while serving as a musician in the Central Band of the RAF.

Cited as an exemplary ambassador for the RAF, Shona became involved in the Armed Forces Para Snowsport Team through the Government’s Battle Back programme after suffering a serious injury during a military exercise, resulting in a below-the-knee amputation. She later became the number one ranked female mono-skier in Great Britain and is now ranked ninth in the world.

In 2019, Shona’s contribution to the Armed Forces Para Snowsport Team raised approximately £50,000 to support wounded, injured and sick serving personnel and veterans.

Senior Aircraftwoman Shona Brownlee said:

I’m incredibly honoured and humbled to have been named in the New Year Honours list. To say the phone call came as a bit of a shock would be a massive understatement but it is an incredible way to end what has been an amazing year and to kick off what is already looking to be a very exciting 2022.

Also included in the list is Lieutenant Colonel Keith Spiers, awarded an OBE as a Staff Officer in the Army. Keith has pioneered effective ways for the Army to engage with tens of thousands of young people, particularly girls and those within black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, as well as primary school children. This includes understanding how the Army’s transferable skills can be used to complement teaching and design fun enrichment activities that support the curriculum, while busting any negative myths.

Keith’s work has been instrumental in enabling young people to better understand the Army and its values.

Lieutenant Colonel Keith Spiers said:

I am deeply honoured to have been awarded the OBE and feel absolutely overwhelmed. This award reflects the work of the whole team, a team that fully supports the concept and is a privilege to lead.

We have worked with young people for the past four years, challenging their perceptions of the Army while delivering fun and challenging activities, which hopefully inspires them and gives them the confidence to reach their career aspirations and goals, whatever they may be.

To be honoured in this way leaves me without words.

Medical assistant Petty Officer Jessica Metcalfe from the Royal Navy is also made an MBE for stepping in to serve at sea on three occasions in support of fellow medics who were supporting the domestic COVID-19 efforts ashore. Whilst at sea during a pandemic, Jessica supported personnel through arranging mental health training and advice if they were struggling and ensured morale on board was kept high.

Petty Officer Jessica Metcalfe said:

I was absolutely gobsmacked when I got told. I never saw it coming. It was such a heart-warming feeling to be recognised.

What you think is just doing your job, for someone else to think it’s more than that – I have not really got to grips with that thought.

Being away is very difficult and can be very challenging, especially during COVID people were struggling. It was very important to ensure the crew had the support they needed.

Other serving personnel have been recognised for a broad range of efforts including supporting MACA requests for Storm Dennis in Northern England, Op TORAL and drawdown efforts in Afghanistan, and vital support in the fight against COVID-19.

The full military division of the New Year Honours list will be published on GOV.UK at 2230 hours.

Today, International Trade Secretary Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP is congratulating UK exporters, business leaders and DIT staff who have been recognised with Honours for their exceptional and outstanding service to international trade, investment, and exporting. The New Year Honours List also recognises the dedication undertaken by those who worked during the pandemic to keep the country safe.

Those honoured this time around represent a diverse range of businesses, from retail industry through to the creative industry and government support to sourcing medical equipment and negotiating trade agreements.

International Trade Secretary, Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

Once again, the New Year Honours list highlights the importance of our dedicated trade officials and fantastic exporters in championing trade across the world. I am sending my warmest congratulations to all of those recognised.

2022 will offer great opportunities for UK companies to further the key role they play in the global economy, exporting innovative services and high-quality goods across the globe.

Exporters and business leaders in the 2022 New Year Honours list include:

• Timothy Smith; Chairman, Cranswick (CBE)
• Gregory Childs; Co-founder, Children’s Media Conference (OBE)
• Deborah Harrison; Joint Managing Director, Pricecheck Toiletries Ltd (OBE)
• Alex Burns; CEO Robert Harter Ltd (OBE)
• Munir Mamujee; Managing Director, m2r Education (MBE)
• Kevin Mosely; Founder, SwimFin Ltd (MBE)
• Vivienne Stern; Director, Universities UK International (MBE)

Staff from the Department for International Trade (DIT) in the 2022 New Year Honours list includes:

• Vivien Life; Director and Chief Negotiator (CMG)
• Faye Smith; Materials Specialist (OBE)
• Isaac Phillip; Trade Capability Advisor (MBE)

Exporters recognised in this list include Kevin Mosely, awarded an MBE for his services to International Trade, Investment and to charity.

Drowning is the third highest cause for unintentional death worldwide; through this Kevin developed a passion for swimming and has worked endlessly for over 40 years in teaching swimming and drowning prevention, resulting in an illustrious career saving lives. He invented his product SwimFin, a multipurpose teaching aid and flotation device used in teaching children to learn how to swim. SwimFin officially launched in 2008 and to date exports to over 140 countries. SwimFin is a market leader implemented by tens of thousands of teachers, coaches, children, and adults. Kevin’s product has appeared on global TV and has won many business awards. Kevin is now a proud sponsor of the RLSS Cameroon, a learn to swim program with the aim of reaching six million children.

Kevin Mosely, Founder & CEO SwimFin Ltd. said:

It is an extremely proud and honouring moment. I am an average man receiving an MBE. I am hugely passionate about making a difference to people’s lives, every child should have the opportunity to learn to swim.

Gregory Childs – awarded an OBE for his services to International Trade and the children’s media sector.

Greg has made an outstanding contribution to Children’s media for over 35 years and has built an unrivalled network of domestic talent that he is able to match with key international commissioners across the globe. Greg has become a role model in the field. Using his unique position as the one-stop shop on market and export intelligence in the UK, Greg has supported individual professionals and worked with HMG on policy and the duty of care to children. Working with DIT to organise the UK delegation to “Kidscreen” in the USA amounted to exports totalling over £300 million for the UK children’s business community.

Gregory Childs, Co-Founder, Children’s Media Conference & Director of Children’s Media Foundation said:

This is a fantastic new year’s surprise. This honour is not just for me but for the whole children’s media industry. This OBE recognises that children’s media is an important contributor to British society as well as to British trade.

Vivienne Stern – awarded an MBE for her services to international education.

Vivienne has led the university sector’s efforts to grow its international activity and has driven the unprecedented growth bringing huge commercial and soft power benefits to the UK. Vivienne can take credit for the significant expansion of the numbers of students choosing the UK as a study destination, thus significantly increasing the value of education exports. Internationally, she is a vocal and enthusiastic champion for the UK, speaking at public and Government-to-Government events about the UK international offer and providing a welcoming message to overseas students considering coming to the UK to study.

Vivienne Stern, Director, Universities UK International, said:

I am astonished and delighted to be receiving an Honour. It means a huge amount to me to have my work validated. It makes it worthwhile. International students who study here bring many benefits to the UK, which go beyond the economic contribution. They contribute to making our universities international learning environments, and to making them great places to study for all students.

Timothy Smith – awarded a CBE for services to agriculture, food, and drink trade policy.

Tim is now Chairman of Cranswick, appointed in July 2021. Tim has made an outstanding contribution to the industry by providing Government with fresh, innovative ideas for striking a balance between liberalising trade and safeguarding UK food standards. In March 2021, as Chair of the Trade and Agriculture Commission, Tim presented Government with many recommendations on future trade policy for agriculture, food, and drink. He is also a Non-Executive Director at Pret a Manger where, in 2018, he chaired an independent Food Advisory panel, resulting in a Five-Point Allergy Plan. Tim is a Director and Trustee of Farm Africa, a charity that works with farmers to unlock the commercial potential in their smallholdings.

Timothy Smith, Chairman, Cranswick, said:

I was surprised and thrilled to receive a CBE. I have never had anything like this before. It is truly an honour.