Hillsborough campaigners yesterday (Mon) welcomed the return of standing to the English top flight for the first time in almost 30 years.
Former Hillsborough Families Support Group chair Margaret Aspinall said it was right to ‘move with the times’.
Chelsea’s Premier League game against Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on Jan 2 will mark the return of standing spectators.
Man United, Man City, Spurs, Chelsea and Championship side Cardiff had their applications to be part of a safe standing trial approved.
Margaret, 74, who lost her son James, 18, as a result of the tragedy, said: “I have no issues with it. I have changed my opinion.
"If this is what fans want, they are entitled to it. I think it is right as long as there is proper monitoring of the crowd.
“I am sure lessons have been learned since Hillsborough, especially by Liverpool Football Club. It is so different to the 70s and 80s...the priority now is people’s safety.”
Ninety-seven children, women and men died as a result of a crush at the Liverpool v Nottingham Forest game at Sheffield Wednesday’s ground on April 15, 1989.
The support group for the victims’ families disbanded this year after 32 years of campaigning for justice. In 2016, an inquest ruled the fans had been unlawfully killed, and that no role was played by the supporters in causing the disaster.
Since 1994, grounds in the first and second tiers of the English football pyramid have been required by law to be all-seaters.
Margaret told how her husband Jim, 79, ‘could not face another game’ after Hillsborough, and has not attended a match since.
But she respected the need for safe standing areas.
“They are trying to cater for everyone’s needs. I have to be honest. When I am at a game, and Liverpool score, I stand up. I am as guilty of that as anyone else,” she added.
“Why should we have an issue if people want to stand. Why shouldn’t they have that right?
“I felt very different years ago, after what I lost, I was always against it.
“But times move on, it is a new generation.”
Sports minister Nigel Huddleston also welcomed the move, saying: “I’m pleased to approve these five clubs as early adopters of licensed safe standing areas for the second half of the season.
“The time is now right to properly trial safe standing ahead of a decision on a widespread roll-out.
“Safety is absolutely paramount and SGSA, the Sports Grounds Safety Authority, is working hand-in-glove with the clubs on this.
“Fans deserve different options on how they can enjoy a live match and I will be watching the progress of these trials with interest.”
Standing in English football’s top two divisions was outlawed after the Taylor Report into the Hillsborough disaster.
But there have been calls for standing to be reintroduced in recent years, with barrier or rail seating converted for standing areas.
The Tories promised to work towards the introduction of safe standing areas in their 2019 election manifesto.
If the initial trials prove successful, legislation could be introduced for all stadiums in England’s top two divisions. Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said the club was “delighted” to be an early adopter of the standing areas.
Man United said the development “can increase safety for fans in areas where persistent standing has historically occurred”.
