Liverpool fans overwhelmingly support safe standing with 88% of fans voting in favour of rail seating introduction

The poll conducted by the Spirit of Shankly received nearly 18,000 votes

85 per cent of people who stood in the old Kop standing area voted in favour (Getty)

Liverpool fans have convincingly backed the introduction of safe standing in the Premier League.

In a week-long poll run by the club’s biggest independent supporters’ group Spirit of Shankly, 88 per cent of nearly 18,000 voters backed rail seating to be brought into Premier League grounds.

Stadiums in England’s top two leagues have been all-seated since Lord Justice Taylor’s inquiry into the Hillsborough in 1989 which left 96 Liverpool fans dead.

However, as more details have been released about Hillsborough disaster, the calls for a relaxation of the requirement have grown, with many fans standing throughout games now anyway.

Supporters in Germany have shown how rail seating can be safely implemented and British fans are looking to take inspiration from there and other similar designs.

Last month the Premier League wrote to its clubs asking them whether they would be interested in taking part in a safe-standing trial. Celtic also successfully trialled rail seating last season.

The debate is more contentious and sensitive in Liverpool though, which is why the poll conducted by the Spirit of Shankly is so important.

In a statement, Spirit of Shankly chair Jay McKenna said: “It's an incredible turnout, we aren't aware of such numbers voting before.

Crystal Palace and West Ham fans called for safe seating to be introduced last season (Getty)

“It demonstrates to us that we were right to have this discussion and that supporters, families and survivors want to have their say. After nine months of discussion, we have now had the vote and it will be taken as the position for Spirit of Shankly.

“The size of the turnout majority means that no one can be in any doubt that supporters have had their say and made an informed decision.”

“The vote is significant and we know people will see this as backing of rail seating.

“However we say to anyone who is campaigning for this to understand sensitivities and respect the views of those who disagree.

“Those who have been through incredible heartache and tragedy have every right to be heard and to ask important questions about safety. It was important in our conversations to have these answered. It would be wise for that to take place elsewhere.”

On the main question of whether they were in favour of rail seating areas in stadiums, 15,798 (88.21 per cent) voted yes, 902 (5.04 per cent) were against with the remaining voters saying they either wanted more information or were undecided.

Nearly nine in 10 voters said they would either definitely or probably use a rail seating area, and of those old enough to have stood on Anfield's old Kop terrace, 85 per cent voted in favour.