Plymouth Argyle owner supports safe standing

Plymouth Argyle owner James Brent today (7 December 2012) became the latest prominent figure in the professional football world to declare his backing for safe standing. Brent, who took control of the South Coast club in late 2011, made his comments following representations from the Argyle Fans' Trust.

On November 10th, James Brent (front row, second from left in the picture), four local councillors, two MPs and the leader of Torbay Council all braved blustery showers to take a look at the Safe Standing Roadshow outside Argyle's Home Park ground ahead of the club's game with Gillingham. All seemed impressed with what they saw and many of the elected representatives promised to take the matter up with the Government.

Today, James Brent has followed up his comments on the day by saying:

“I am happy to express my personal support for safe standing, with the following conditions:- it is wanted by our fans, which I believe is, or will prove to be, the case;- it is evidenced to be safe; and- it is lawful.”

However, the club noted, Argyle will be unable to consider safe standing areas in the new grandstand at Home Park, construction of which is due to begin soon, unless the necessary legislation has first been passed.

An Argyle Fans' Trust spokesperson said: "We are very grateful to Jon Darch for bringing the Roadshow to Home Park, and letting so many of our supporters see the new rail seat technology first hand. The Trust is firmly behind the campaign to give all supporters the choice to stand safely, given the atmosphere it can help create. We encourage all Argyle fans to sign the FSF petition and to e-mail their MPs to help encourage a change in the regulations to allow the technology to be piloted as soon as possible."

Our thanks to James for his support and to Tim, Ed, Linda et al at the Argyle Fans' Trust for all their efforts on behalf of the 'Green Army'.