Liverpool supporters have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the introduction of rail seating at football grounds.

Almost 18,000 fans took part in a vote organised by Liverpool supporters’ union Spirit of Shankly and 88% backed the creation of rail seating areas inside grounds.

The online vote followed a public meeting in the centre of Liverpool and consultation with many groups including other supporters, the Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG) and the Hillsborough Justice Campaign.

The huge majority supporting rail seating - just 5% were against with others undecided or in need of more information - will be seen as an incredibly significant moment for those campaigning for rail seating given the huge sensitivities around the issue for Liverpool fans after Hillsborough.

While some families have spoken individually in favour of rail seating, the official position of the HFSG has been against its introduction. There is no suggestion that has changed.

And while Spirit of Shankly spoke of the significance of the vote - and now take an official position in favour of rail seating - they called for respect for the views of those who continue to disagree.

They also made it clear that this was a vote for rail seating in general in football grounds and was not a vote on its introduction at Anfield.

Jay McKenna, chair of Spirit Of Shankly, said: “It’s an incredible turnout, we aren’t aware of such numbers voting before. 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. No one wins here, this has been a mature and sensitive conversation and we have arrived at a position.

“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.”

Liverpool as a club spoke about the rail seating issue in detail for the first time to the ECHO earlier this month.

The head of club and fan liaison Tony Barrett said then: “The tragic events of April 15, 1989 means we and our supporters are in a uniquely complex and difficult position as far as the current debate is concerned and we would appeal to all fans to continue to be respectful of the Hillsborough families and take their views into account during whatever deliberations take place.

“Unless and until there is a change in legislation, all debate will remain hypothetical but, as ever, we will listen to the views of our fans and look to offer the best possible match-going experience in whatever form that may take place.”

Those Liverpool fans have now spoken and it undoubtedly suggests that what was almost unthinkable just a few years ago - supporters standing officially at a match at Anfield - now seems considerably closer.

Standing areas have been banned in the top two divisions of English football since the 1990 Taylor Report into Hillsborough. But the successful introduction of rail seating at Glasgow Celtic has provided the catalyst to a new debate around the issue in England.

So what happens now?

Spirit of Shankly said there needed to be time to reflect on the result.

McKenna added: “We’ve always been clear that this was about rail seating areas in football stadiums and not specifically at Anfield. Any such discussion is for a future point and requires more talking to those involved – supporters, the football club and importantly families and survivors. That will inevitably be asked but for now we want to take time to reflect on the vote and allow others to do the same.”

As part of interpreting the results, SOS issued a statement to their members thanking those who had taken part in the debate and reminding them that this was the “first step” for Liverpool supporters and not a conclusion.

It said: “We would like to thank in particular the Hillsborough Family Support Group, Hillsborough Justice Campaign, and all the survivors and families of those at Hillsborough. Many shared personal experiences, something a number of them have done rarely since 1989. We are humbled that they felt able to do so with us, and we thank them sincerely for informing this debate. We do and always will retain the utmost respect for their views.

“Spirit of Shankly’s future policy and position follows a sensitive, sensible, honest and mature conversation, throughout which key themes emerged: a choice for supporters between sitting and standing; safety for those who currently stand at games; and the safety of any future standing model. Contributions from our panel, including representatives from the Sports Ground Safety Authority and Celtic FC, expertly addressed these matters.

(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)

“Such a turnout and overwhelming majority in favour of rail seating cannot be ignored. It was always our intention to ensure all supporters had an opportunity to contribute, listen to differing views and then decide. This has now happened.

“We realise the significance of this vote both locally and in the wider debate nationally. From when discussions of rail seating first began, Liverpool supporters and Hillsborough have been referenced both as a reason not to do it, or as a possible turning point that would allow its introduction.

“Now, our views are known and we urge everyone to digest and understand the sensitivities and detail behind the outcome.

“...We emphasise that this remains the first step for Liverpool supporters, not the conclusion. The outcome of this is not a call for rail seating to be introduced at Anfield. We will have further consultation with families, survivors, members, supporters and LFC in due course but for now, we will take time to digest the result and reflect on what it means.”

THE FACTS AND FIGURES

17,910 people voted in the poll which ran from Saturday July 22 - Friday, July 28.

The main question was: On the introduction of rail seating areas in football stadiums, are you?

In favour of them being introduced - 88.21% (15,798)

Against them being introduced - 5.04% (902)

I don’t know enough about them/I want to know more about them - 4.8% (859)

Undecided - 1.96% (351)

Spirit of Shankly members voted on almost identical lines to the wider public vote.

Of those who took part:

6,014 supporters attend Anfield regularly (more than 11 games per season). Of these, 88% were in favour, 7% against, 3% don’t know enough and 2% undecided

7 in every 10 women voted in favour of rail seating.

70% of supporters say they would definitely use a rail seating area and 19% say they probably would use one

40% of respondents were aged 22-34 years, the highest category, followed by 34% aged 35-49

Of those who could have been old enough to stand on the old Kop (those aged over 12 in 1994), 85% voted in favour