In the very likely event that the North Stand at St Johnstone's McDiarmid Park is to be knocked down to make way for a new road I (along with the undersigned) am proposing that safe terracing is considered as a replacement. Having recently watched Arbroath at home to Cowdenbeath in the Second Division I was struck by the atmosphere generated by 857 mostly standing supporters in comparison to over 3 times that number seated in Perth week in week out. Given they way the team has been playing recently, and our resultant position in the league, Saints' home attendances have been disappointing this season (and for many seasons now). This has an adverse effect on atmosphere within the ground which in turn (as it's generally accepted that noise from the crowd can give a team a lift) has a less than positive effect on the performance of the players. The return of safe terracing in Germany had a massive positive effect on the game over there (Hannover University's Professor Gunter Pilz has stated - "there is no evidence at all that it is more dangerous than sitting"). The Scottish game, which has been in the doldrums for too long now would benefit from a similar initiative and many supporters nationwide have campaigned to be allowed to stand at games. Given that Saints are a top level club who have found themselves in a unique position to bring back a standing option it could be the move that is needed to start these wheels in motion. Even if we can't use it in league matches under current laws, it'd be interesting to see what effect a terracing section has on atmosphere/attendance numbers in cup games. It would be far preferable to having an open void at one end of the ground or a smaller seated stand which only gets opened for Old Firm supporters (to stand up in anyway) There would still be more than enough seats in the stadium for those who want them and it would be a unique feature amongst top level grounds in this country. When it opened McDiarmid Park was a cutting edge of sporting venue, let's make it one again.

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