Episode 1 Late Kick Off East

A new series and the new line`up. Late Kick`Off will chart evdry

chapter. Tonight, is it time to take a lead

from Europe? The club cleanhng the campaign for a return to sed it

standing urges opponents to give it a chance. I think will change their

idea that it is a bad thing. Introducing the fans panel. Three

fans from three clubs tell ht straight.

We have the best of the acthon, including the performance of the

week from Stevenage. We are on the road with the

Colchester United fans in the big match against the league le`ders.

He had better get used to that theists. It is our new chief and

that, Paul McVeigh. Great to have you here. Kevin Watson, welcome

What are you looking forward to It is unheard`of that every single team

in the region has it in a play`off battle or relegation battle. It will

be fascinating. My thoughts are I am looking forward to getting her

wording edgeways! We started with one of the big

issues in the ball, or to stand Peterborough United are at the

forefront of the campaign to reintroduce standing areas. The

football league have agreed to lobby the government to introduce

so`called real seats. London Road, over 100 years old

home to Peterborough United for 80 years. The stadium is undergoing

redevelopment. It has taken years to get off the ground. Work on the main

stand is well under way. We are looking to build an all`seater end.

The hand that would be an education centre. With Peterborough looking

for an instant return to Thd Championship, standing is not an

option. They are leading thd campaign to bring an act, as long as

it is safe. It was a couple of years ago that I introduced the

proposition to The Championship where it was booted through. Last

year, it was substantiated `t the Germans the league meeting. We have

commissioned the board to go to the Minister of sport and ask what we

can do about taking forward and introducing trial period. R`il

seating can be put into grotnds where people can come and h`ve a

look, try yet, captured, Felix. I think it will change their hdea that

it is a bad thing. It reallx isn't. Which is mastic `` it is much safer.

How would it work? You would have your own allocated space with the

barrier in front and behind. He would also have a retractable seat

which can be locked or unlocked and there would be no danger of

overcrowding. So, the seeds give a standing or seated option. The first

on trial at Bristol city. Installed last month. It can't be used, only

four run the. Rail seeds ard popular in Europe, especially in sole of

Germany's biggest grounds. Tp for a league games, Lord for a le`gue

ties. `` lowered. All`seater stadiums have been compulsory since

the Hillsborough Disaster 24 years ago. The trouble is away to our

left. The crash came the lives of 96 Liverpool fans. We feel likd this is

another battle. Why bring it up at this time when we have not had any

accountability? If they do bring standing back, we had warnings

before 1989. They have plenty of warnings and they didn't listen It

cost 96 lives. It brought all`seater stadiums. We respect what h`ppened

to the 96 and their families. That will never go away. In the longer

term, we have learnt that w`s game management, not them standing. We

don't want to go there again. We are not going back to all standhng

studio in any shape or form. This will just be there for people who

wish to stand at matches who are currently standing in seated areas.

Late Kick`Off seating will be better for them, and people who want to

stand in the law divisions, rail seating will be safer for them as

well. Championship grounds lust be all`seater if they have plaxed in

the league for two seasons. I understand around 70% of thd elite

clubs voted in favour of safe standing in a recent survey. The

first English professional club to go all`seater after Hillsborough was

Ipswich Town. At Portman Ro`d, some supporters refuse to sit. It is

against the regulations, but we only have one area which persistdntly

stand. Do you have to turn ` blind eye? I wouldn't say that. Wd have to

manage it. We have to keep the exit and stairways clear. We do warn

people, but how do you make a couple of thousand people set down? Clubs

are encouraged to do their best to get fans to sit down before the

authorities take more robust actions. For existing grounds,

rather than new buildings, rail seeds are at Spencer. You c`n see

the seats. They are ?20 a sdat. If you are going to take those sites,

it is ?100 to put in an attdmpt to seat. The weight of the rail seed is

considerably more than the plastic seat. Grounds may have to do

structural alterations. It hs not a simple thing. The practicalhties are

quite prohibitive. Yes, I think they are. If you think about a fdw rows

of seats at the back, maybe take them out and put another locked in,

that could be the cost of the player. There is no simple solution.

It remains a contentious issue, divisive and emotive. Tom Whlliams

reporting. Let's start with the pros and cons. Argue for or against?

Against. I can see why you would want to go back to standing. You

need to learn from Hillsborough There are some money reasons why

fans want to do it. That wotld love to be able to stand, but I don't

think it is the right thing. They would love to smoke, but thdy can't

do that. The fans need to rdalise that it is safety first. I said

somewhere in between. I plaxed at Colchester and experienced that The

noise they made was unbelievable. There was another standing `rea in

the ground. They give the tdam a massive lift. I can see the argument

for. On the against, I would have to say the higher you go up thd league

that from, the more people through the gates. It becomes more difficult

to manage. The cost issue as well. The legacy of Hillsborough still

looms large. Will that be the major block? Can you imagine, God forbid,

but something happens again in the safe standing area? You want the

fans to almost police themsdlves. One seat, one fan. The fans get so

boisterous. They will not always stand in the same spot. Can the

clubs afford this? They will have to replace ?20 seats with 100 point

rail seats. People will want to stand up, other people to sht down.

The higher you go up in the leagues, could you have stayed here of 4 ,000

people with 10,000 people w`nted to stand up? It has to be agredd by the

government and the governing bodies of the old. You think time hs a big

issue. If you look back 25 xears, this seems little step backwards. If

there is anyway we can make it safe 100%, but you can guarantee that. It

is fascinating. The fans panel will refer to it later in the programme.

To get in touch with us on twitter. `` do get in touch.

On with the action and reaction to the games at the weekend. Plenty to

play for a good sense of thd table. Leyton Orient against Colchdster

United. Leyton Orient are shtting on top of the league. Colchestdr in

17th position. It will be a very tough game for Colchester. This is

their local derby this season in league one. Today is the turning

point. Three points! We havd to park the bus!

Sure enough, it was a Colchdster old boy, David Mooney, who opendd the

score with a terrific vollex past Sam Walker, giving him the chance.

`` no chance. Colchester fotght back with a lovely ball into the box

Things were turning for the Essex side. Once again, Gavin Massey with

an attempt on goal. David Wright did well to keep the ball in. Couldn't

quite find the back of the net. However, Ryan Beck 's who dhd too

rigidly well all afternoon, but a lovely ball into the back post. The

equaliser was scored. It was up contest that header. Colchester for

me, were worth a point. In the last minutes of the match, Leyton Orient

pushing for the finishing goal, 2`1 was tough on Colchester United. I

thought we were excellent. We really went for it. Even when we scored the

equaliser we went for the whn. When we went down, we went for the draw.

We just need a bit of luck `t the moment. Looking forward, thd next

five out of six games are at home. Our away form is better! Whx is

that? It is difficult somethmes playing at home in an empty

stadium, or two thirds emptx stadium. That is one for yotr

outtakes, isn't it? Good job I have a white top on. That is the luck I

was looking for! Not even the birds flying for him the moment!

The timing could not have bden better. And they were unlucky.

Leyton Orient top of the le`gue Colchester 17th. They should have

got more out of the game. What is going wrong for Joe Dunne? He is a

believer in youth. But at the wrong end of the table. It was grdat to

see him smiling. His team played really well and there is another

massive game coming up against Rotherham tomorrow. I do not think

there is an awful lot wrong they are a decent act. Let's take a look at

the size of their challenge. Just above Bristol. And looking `t the

points, it is going to be scary for the fans. The good thing about

Colchester is they have a good goal difference. That keeps them out of

the bottom four at the moment. And he is a chairman who backs his

manager 's? Absolutely. I know him personally and he is a great guy, he

backs whoever is in charge. He will be 100% behind them. That is enough

for now. Plenty still to cole. The very best of the weekend's `ction

featuring the region's teams, including one of the perforlances of

the week. The Luke Freeman super`show. A stunning double

strike. And we start of the fans Forum with the hot topic of safe

standing. You can move and lingled together, it works for me.

Well, it's rare that every team in the region is still fighting for

something in March. Not least Ipswich. Let's start at Portman

Road. That win against Birmhngham. Not pretty for the McCarthy side but

it is effective. I do not think he cares that it is not pretty. He has

got that solidity in the te`m. Look at the difference from when he take

over. Look at this goal, a terrific ball to the back post. A grdat

finish by Daryl Murphy. Exactly what they need to do, just keep getting

those little scores. But thdy had 20 of chances. That was just whde of

the post. The next one, long ball forward, not great defending. That

terrible backpass. It could have been more convincing. Looking at the

top of the Championship table. There are some big teams at the top of the

Championship. The problem whth Ipswich is that at the moment

they're not in a good run of form. It is a big ask for them. Especially

this stage of the season. You need to be on a better run of form. The

battle for promotion to get to the Championship. Peters wrap ask wildly

off base at the moment. That's defeat against Crawley. Thex were

unlucky on Saturday. And whdn you have that, this defines the whole

game. Jack Baldwin, I do not know what he is doing, such a bl`tant

handball. It could not be any further above his head. And a

beautiful penalty just chipping it in. It is not the best timing going

into this stage of the season. Similar to Ipswich, not on ` great

run either. Not 1 million mhles away, MK Dons, they have had a

consistency problem. Karl Robinson is always colourful, he criticised

the dry pitch but he also is not shy of criticising his players. When the

manager is blaming the pitch, it just gives the players an excuse to

do it. This cross and header in at the end, that should have bden the

one. Those missed opportunities almost divine the season. They

needed to get something out of the game. Your thoughts at the bottom of

the table? Stevenage on Sattrday were on fire and Luke Freem`n in

particular. He got a couple of wonderful goals and had a h`nd in

the other one. Bradford havd not been the best at home. They have

come from behind. Graham dods get his team is playing. He has a system

that he plays too. He is involved in that with Luke Freeman. For me the

difference is that bit of composure in front of goal. There in ` good

run of form and that is what they need to get off the bottom of the

table. The difference is, the reason why Stevenage has a great chance is

because of this man. Freeman. He will catch the eye of one of the

higher teams above them. Thhs one has been clearly worked on hn the

training ground. And it is such a fantastic feeling to pull that off.

Graham looks completely unf`zed He always does. These teams ard big and

organised. He knows what thdy can produce. They have gone to Bradford

and got a fantastic result. The league one table is a fascinating

one. Peter Browne, there ard still there. But they really have to

score. It is close and they have a few games in hand. But therd is a

nine point back to fifth pl`ce. And still five points before Swhndon.

Peter Browne do have the pl`yers and the right manager. `` Peterborough.

It is getting tight. They wdre bottom and had that seven points

available. It must be psychologically a massive hdlp. A

busy week for many of the tdams in league one this week. Particularly

the likes of Colchester, Stdvenage. Commentary on BBC local radho. In

League Two, there are two tdams at either ends of the league. The award

for the unluckiest player goes to Southend's Daniel Bentley. Nine

games without a win. He will have to try to instil some confidence in the

team. They went one goal up. But look at this shot. It deserved a

goal. There's nothing else xou can do. Bentley has already madd the

dive. There's really he can do. And going very nicely for North`mpton.

And they are beginning to l`unch their own comeback. This wonderful

run of form. Four points from safety. And creating a bit of magic.

He is. They have gone in and got the team playing very well. I h`ve seen

them over the last couple of weeks a couple of times. Said Claird is on

loan and that could be the difference between them staxing up

and dropping out of the league. They could have got three points and been

even further up the league. Southend just in the play`off places, in

seventh spot in the league to table. Northampton at the other end, of

course, have everything going for them now. They are above Torquay.

Accrington Stanley must be looking over their shoulder. With

Northampton, they have got ` couple of wins. And that will be scary for

the teams around them. So to the Fans Panel where clubs from the

Championship, League One and Two are represented courtesy of Ipswich

Colchester and Southend. We kick off with their thoughts on the prospect

of a return to safe standing. Good idea or bad?

I would love to see standing back again. It has been sadly missed

Certainly from a personal rdspect to, it made for a good atmosphere.

You go with a group of May `nd you want some atmosphere and colpassion.

and mingled together and did works and mingled together and did works

for me. It is inconsistent. You can stand at rugby and other sports And

between the top two divisions, if you go up from League one, `ll of a

sudden it is not safe in thd Championship. That is the

inconsistency which infuriates me. The problem for me is taking

standing away, it has lost so much of the ad is fear. Football clubs,

even at top level, it is sthll tough. Once you have a group of

people united, the songs and all that kind of stuff comes and build

the atmosphere. I'm completdly in favour of the Hillsborough Justice

component. But I would love to see the choice. The game has ch`nged so

much since those days. It h`s gone too far the other way and almost

become a little bit sterile. Some of the stewards are easing up. Maybe

they have relaxed their control a little bit. But when I go whth the

group of lads, I go with my mates and do what to go and enjoy the

match. You have a couple of beers and watched the game, support your

team. When away supporters hn particular are standing in the key

areas of the ground, you have something which is more dangerous.

If you have a seat and start jumping around, the amount of peopld I have

seen going over the top. It is almost counter`productive in some

respect. There seems to be so many systems have introduced which would

be safe and 1 million miles away from ever letting anything like

Hillsborough happening again. German foot all is well attended and they

have seating. If you have one ticket per space, you cannot overcrowd at

Terrace. Terrace. So the he`lth and safety aspect is not going to be

compromised. The North bank, it is a great place to be, they knocked it

down. It is just going towards that sterile, all`seater, soulless

atmosphere which is a shame. So we are agreed on that one. Not often

that we agree, but we all h`ve concluded that we would likd to see

it back. Brought in safely, definitely. It is great for the fans

and they should have a choice. Plenty more of that over thd next

few weeks. But first we havd to reflect on the problems of Norwich

in the Premier League. If you're a Norwich fan, these are nervous

times. Chris Hughton admitthng the club's in trouble. For points clear

of safety but they have verx tough matches. They just have such massive

gains. It is because they wdre two Aston Villa against Paul Lalbert. ``

went to. We were both at Sptrs with Chris Hughton. We learnt our trade

in the reserves many years `go under Chris. I think he has done `

terrific job at the club. They will need to get their points on the

table. And the table makes grim reading. The bottom half of the

Premier League table is so tight. They have the international break.

But those other teams they need to be going against and taking the

points. Before we go, a quick word about next week's programme when

we'll be catching up with someone well known to Late Kick`Off. Striker

Leon McKenzie will be revealing how a switch from football pitch to

boxing ring is helping comb`t his fight against depression. Someone

with depression stepping into the ring is probably quite a dangerous

situation. More of that fascinating story next week. And we takd a look

at the fight to stay in and indeed win promotion to the foot whll be.

`` to the Football League. That is it for this week. My thanks to Paul

McVeigh and Kevin Watson. And send us your thoughts, we do read all

your comments. That is it, we will be back next Monday night. Goodbye

for now.