Abstract
Through a critique of various social, cultural, political and technological changes in English football as a result of the Taylor report into the safety of football stadia post-Hillsborough in 1989, this paper explores the way in which the modern ‘safe’ all-seater stadium is often experienced by fans in a hyperreal and relatively passive fashion. The paper then considers some of the challenges posed by these developments and the potential for fans to renegotiate and adapt in the face of a middle classing of football discourse. Finally, the paper examines the social control agenda inherent within the neoliberal development of all-seater stadia, whilst highlighting the response of the English Football Supporters Federation and their ‘Safe Standing Campaign’. The paper will conclude by offering a tentative critique of an innovative response by Manchester City F.C. supporters and their participatory ‘Poznan’ celebration in all-seating areas based on auto-ethnographic interpretation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 121-131 |
| Journal | Soccer and Society |
| Volume | 18 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 8 Dec 2014 |
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Mark Turner
- Solent University, Faculty of Sport, Health and Social Sciences - Course Leader Sport Management
Person: Academic