A ‘SAFE standing’ campaign group has made a visit to Southampton in the battle to see rail seats installed at St Mary’s.

Now publicly backed by Southampton City Council, project supporter cllr Andrew Pope’s efforts to introduce the idea saw campaign group Safe Standing Roadshow pay a visit to the city yesterday. Members of the Saints board, fans and media were all invited to get a glimpse of rail seats. Able to be bolted up and also used as regular seats, the roadshow group say they can adhere to various regulations, and want to introduce it to around 15 per cent of the stadium.

Saints have not backed safe standing at their ground.

Cllr Pope said: “I think the club are starting to take my campaign seriously now, which is why they aren’t here today, and have chosen to ignore the invitation.

“It is very simple and safe, and it should be the way forward. Tickets should be less than £30 to stand and these savings should be passed on to the fans. More than 100,000 people have signed a petition and I will be at Parliament on June 25 to hear what I hope will be MPs supporting the idea.”

Leader of Southampton Independents, Denise Wyatt, added: “These seats will instantly make it safer for fans who stand at matches already.”

Former season ticket holders Mike Grout and James Collins, of Maybush, said they also liked the set-up.

Mike, 72, said: “It looks safe and no-one will fall if they get too excited..”

Jon Darch, operator at the roadshow, said: “It’s about making politicians see that it’s not what standing used to be.”