A Storied Career at Celtic FC: Introduction
ESSMA: Mr. Buchanan, could you please introduce yourself briefly to the ESSMA community? What is your role at Celtic, and could you highlight the projects you are currently working on or responsible for?
Mr. Buchanan: Certainly. I’m Robin Buchanan, the Stadium General Manager at Celtic, and I’ve been with the club for 21 seasons, having joint Celtic FC on a “free transfer” after having spent 7 years at Newcastle United. Currently, we have ongoing projects, including the construction of a new academy training ground and an indoor arena. Simultaneously, we are upgrading the first-team facilities at our Lennox Town training ground. Additionally, we’re in the process of refurbishing the Selkirk Park hospitality areas. The Battlefield project, our academy training ground, has been ongoing for about five or six years, while the Danningstown upgrade is recently completed for this summer.
ESSMA: Can you provide an introduction to the concept of safe standing for those unfamiliar with it? How would you describe and define safe standing?
Mr. Buchanan: Safe standing operates on two fronts – catering to fans who prefer standing and addressing safety concerns for the safety advisory group. For fans who enjoy standing in seated areas, there’s a risk involved. However, with rail seating, that risk significantly diminishes, offering a safer and more enjoyable experience for standing supporters.
Origins of Safe Standing at Celtic: No Accidents, Just Evolution
ESSMA: Can you elaborate on the origins of the need for safe standing at Celtic? Were there previous incidents or was it a natural evolution?
Mr. Buchanan: Fortunately, there were no accidents, but there were fan groups expressing interest, inspired by the safe standing practices in Germany and Austria. Additionally, with the Taylor Report enforcing all-seated stadiums, more people were standing in seated areas. The safety advisory group in Glasgow, involving the council and police, expressed concerns about fans standing in seated sections. In response, we sought a solution to make it safer. After exploring options, rail seating emerged as the most suitable choice for Celtic. We studied various standing sections in German clubs, considering three or four alternatives, and found rail seating to be the most fitting solution for our circumstances.
Advantages of Rail Seating: A Closer Look
ESSMA: Were there specific advantages of rail seating over bolt-on or locked seating that stood out for you?
Mr. Buchanan: Certainly, we prioritized robustness and sought a one-person, one-seat configuration. Unlike some German models with multiple people behind one rail, we aimed for a more individual setup. Safety and durability were crucial considerations. We observed issues with plastic seating getting damaged in group areas, while metal seats proved more resilient, aligning with our emphasis on safety and durability.
ESSMA: Before implementing rail seating, were there any significant infrastructural changes or specific legal requirements you had to address?
Mr. Buchanan: The introduction of rail seating posed a unique challenge as standing wasn’t permitted in the UK. While the law in England allowed standing, there was no such provision in Scotland; it was more of an understanding between Scottish football clubs and the government. Therefore, deciding to introduce standing triggered extensive discussions with various stakeholders, including ourselves, the council, the police, and the Scottish government. We aimed to become the first in the UK to implement rail seating, sparking a prolonged debate around safety concerns associated with standing. However, our focus was on safety. The discussions continued until a change of government in Scotland supported the idea. With government backing, the council also approved our formal application for a building warrant after a lengthy process.
UEFA Observer programme & Premier League interest
ESSMA: Since the introduction of safe standing at Celtic, there has been growing interest from Premier League clubs to adopt this. Have any of them approached you for insights or visited Celtic Park to understand the implementation?
Mr. Buchanan: Absolutely, back in 2016 when we installed the rail seating, most clubs in the Premiership and Championship visited to observe the initiative. Having the physical setup made it more accessible for others to come and inspect. We continue to extend an open invitation to anyone interested in understanding our implementation. We collaborated with an architectural team, a civil engineering team, and co-seating engineers who played a crucial role in the implementation.
ESSMA: Moving on to the UEFA Observer Program, have you been part of it or are you aware of it? What are your thoughts on the potential change in UEFA regulations to allow safe standing in competitions?
Mr. Buchanan: I’m aware of the program, and I strongly advocate for UEFA to permit safe standing. I’ve been expressing this view for many years. The current practice of installing and removing seats is inconvenient and troublesome for supporters ans stadium operators. While I heard about the assessment group by chance, it wasn’t officially communicated to us.
Impact on Design and Infrastructure: Maintaining Continuity
ESSMA: Regarding the impact on design and infrastructure, you mentioned a one-for-one conversion rate for your safe standing. Does this affect the tickets fans hold or alter any arrangements for UEFA games?
Mr. Buchanan: It’s indeed a one-for-one conversion. Our goal was not to increase capacity but to establish a safer standing area. Fans can use the same ticket, maintaining the continuity of their matchday experience.
ESSMA: Is there a financial impact associated with introducing safe standing? I’ve heard from a French club that maintenance costs in the safe standing section are considerably lower than in other sections. Was this a factor in your consideration, or was the emphasis primarily on safety?
Mr. Buchanan: Initially, it wasn’t a direct consideration, but I do agree with the French club’s perspective. Maintenance costs are indeed lower with rail seating. Plastic seats are prone to damage, often unintentionally during goal celebrations. The rail seats, however, have proven to be more durable, requiring less frequent maintenance.
Stewarding and Evacuation Plans: A Safety-Centric Approach
ESSMA: Besides the safety advantages, which are significant, does the introduction of safe standing impact evacuation procedures or steward briefings? Are there separate plans or considerations for stewarding in the rail seating section?
Mr. Buchanan: Indeed, we have a distinct stewarding plan for the rail seating section. It operates as a separate entity with its own specific guidelines. However, in terms of the overall stadium evacuation, it doesn’t affect the process; the evacuation procedures for rail seating align with those in the seated areas.
ESSMA: Shifting to the fan perspective, how have the fans responded to the implementation of safe standing?
Mr. Buchanan: The response from fans has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s a highly popular area, and there was an immediate demand. We sold out 3,000 spots instantly, and we currently have a waiting list of about 5,000 individuals eager to be part of that section. Once fans are in, they don’t want to leave; it’s been a tremendous success.
ESSMA: Considering the high demand and success, is there a possibility of expanding the safe seating section in the future?
Mr. Buchanan: While it’s something the club might explore, there are currently no plans in place for expansion. We’d need to carefully consider specific areas within the stadium where this can be implemented. Corners work well for our existing setup, but areas behind the goals, where fans typically prefer, present challenges due to existing infrastructure like disabled areas, corporate spaces, and TV studios. It’s a complex decision that involves balancing fan demand with logistical constraints.
The Evolution of Safe Standing in Football: A Personal Insight
ESSMA: How do you anticipate the evolution of safe standing in football? Do you foresee more Premier League stadiums adopting it?
Mr. Buchanan: I believe most stadiums will eventually introduce safe standing. Many new stadiums are designed with the flexibility to accommodate it. There’s a significant portion of fans who prefer standing, and I can relate to that personally. When I started supporting football years ago, standing in the terraces enhanced the overall experience. The atmosphere was unmatched compared to sitting, and I still stand by that sentiment.
ESSMA: While we’ve discussed the benefits of safe standing, are there any potential drawbacks?
Mr. Buchanan: From our perspective, we haven’t identified any downsides. It has delivered precisely as expected. We’ve experienced no major accidents in that area since its installation, touch wood. As we anticipated, it has created a safer environment for the fan groups in that section. I would wholeheartedly recommend it.
Challenges of Implementing in Existing Stadiums: A Critical Consideration
ESSMA: We’ve covered a lot, but is there anything important from your experience with this project that we might have missed and you’d like to mention?
Mr. Buchanan: Certainly, one significant aspect is the challenge of implementing it in an existing stadium. Compliance with specific regulations is crucial, and there can be considerable architectural costs involved. Unlike new stadiums, existing ones might require adjustments to the stadium’s dynamics. In our case, we had to widen stairwells due to our narrow steps and a rake of 29 at the back of our rail seating. Initially, there were deviations from the green guide, but now that rail seating is included in the guide, the process has become smoother. It’s essential to recognize the complexity of retrofitting rail seating in existing stadiums, considering various costs beyond just installing seats. While it might be more straightforward for new stadiums, retrofitting demands careful consideration of architectural changes and associated expenses.
