Survey reveals how Sheffield United fans feel about returning to Bramall Lane and what they would do to make that happen

The overwhelming majority of Sheffield United supporters would be happy to attend a match at Bramall Lane, a study undertaken by The Star has suggested, as Premier League games continue to take place behind closed doors because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Responses to a series of polls also confirm the lengths most would be prepared to go to in order to be able to watch their team in action, with nearly all of those who took part willing to subject themselves to screening procedures such as temperature checks and wear face coverings if those were a condition of entry.

The research, undertaken after plans to allow a limited number of fans back inside grounds were shelved because of concerns about rising cases of the respiratory disease, reveals a group of people ready to adhere to even stricter social distancing measures than those in place elsewhere across society in order to gain access to games - not the unruly, anarchic bunch football followers are often portrayed as by those who argue turnstiles must remain closed because they can not be trusted to behave themselves.

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MP’s recently debated whether or not crowds should be readmitted when England’s latest nationwide lockdown ends next month after an online petition, calling for the ban to be lifted, collected nearly 200,000 signatures. Most of those involved urged Ministers to do so, with one - Conservative Jonathan Gullis - saying that folk on both sides of the house were of the same mind.

Sheffield United fans have said they are ready to return to Bramall LaneSheffield United fans have said they are ready to return to Bramall Lane
Sheffield United fans have said they are ready to return to Bramall Lane

“We are united, which is quite rare in this place, in the want for fans to be back in stadia,” he said. “I just want to make it very clear for the record that, as of the second of December, I will be expecting to see an announcement that fans are coming back into football stadiums.”

Although the Government’s response provided no guarantees that will happen, with a statement reminding that its Chief Medical Officer had argued it was “not the right time” to introduce any “further easements”, United supporters appear to back the idea. Asked if they “would feel comfortable attending a match” right now, 85 per cent of those replied say ‘yes’ with only seven per cent saying ‘no’. Perhaps even more importantly, more than two thirds insisted they would feel “safer” inside a football ground than inside a supermarket, cafe or restaurant.

That has not been lost on Damian Collins MP, the former chair of the Digital, Media, Culture and Sports select committee, who questioned why it was viewed as safe to allow 3,000 people to attend performances inside the Royal Albert Hall but not to let the same number watch fixtures at outdoor venues.

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“It seems to be one rule for one sector and something different for football, and we need to get this sorted out,” he told a national radio station earlier this month. “I would like to know what the explanation is. I know the concern with grounds is the concourses, getting people in and out and toilet facilities, things like that, because spacing fans out within the ground would not be too difficult.”

With that in mind, The Star asked United fans if they would comply with social distancing measures and encourage others to do likewise. Nearly 90 per cent replied ‘yes’, although as many insisted it wasn’t their job to police others as answered ‘no’. Only 11 per cent admitted they were either against the idea of introducing staggered entry and exit times or unsure about the idea, in order to try and relieve concerns about congestion.

“There’s not a lot of space around the Royal Albert Hall either, so I’d be interested to know how you can manage 3,000 people going in there, but you can’t manage a similar number in a football stadium,” Collins continued.

The organiser of the petition which prompted MP’s to discuss the matter described football as “ a powerful tool” which can bring “employment” and a “range of benefits” to all aspects of life. Those tasked with helping United welcome back supporters as quickly as possible should be interested to note that most would be prepared to wear a facemask on club property “at all times” while nearly three quarters would travel to Bramall Lane by car, with only 15 per cent saying they would rely on public transport. A select number of journalists have been permitted to cover fixtures since competition resumed in June following a three month break, with face coverings mandatory and those granted passes being advised to arrive individually by car. Detailed health questionnaires and other tests must also be completed before seats - often within stands rather than press boxes - are issued.

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With United entering the international break at the foot of the table, having lost seven and drawn one of their eight outings so far, manager Chris Wilder has claimed that “no other club” has “suffered more than us” since stadia were closed to the public.

“I think the difference is there for all to see,” he said before last weekend’s 4-1 defeat at Chelsea. “Home and away, because of the brilliant backing we always get and the extra it brings out of the lads, who are up against some of the best in Europe and the world every single week, it’s really hit them - and I think that’s to be expected.”

“We’ve got to find a way over it,” Wilder, whose side averaged 1.5 points per game before the ban compared to 0.66 since, continued. “But I don’t think anyone who understands what this club is all about would deny it’s been a real handicap for us.”

United fans appear to agree, with a ban on singing and chanting the only measure they rejected among the raft of proposals put forward to try and facilitate their safe return. Four fifths of those who took part in the poll argued this was a bad idea.

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