FOOTBALL fans overwhelmingly agree with the Daily's Echo's safe standing campaign.

A national poll conducted by the Football Fans Census shows that a massive 90 per cent felt fans should at least be given the freedom to choose whether they stand in safe-standing areas.

Most fans believe that safe-standing would have little effect on crowd trouble or spectator safety and as many as 80 per cent felt the existence of safe standing would make their matchday experience more enjoyable.

Just one per cent said they would go to fewer matches if safe-standing areas were introduced.

The results of the poll will be sent to Prime Minister Tony Blair and have come as a major boost to supporters of the safe standing debate.

Thousands of genuine football fans would love the chance to stand and cheer on their team and believe it is time the sports minister Richard Caborn listened to their views.

The poll was carried out by the Football Fans Census - an organisation that is entirely independent and simply puts both sides of an argument before allowing football fans to make their voices heard.

Director of development Alex Burmaster said: "The purpose of this poll was to communicate the views of supporters to the decision makes.

"We want to act as a bridge for football fans who don't always get their voices heard.

"This survey will be sent to Tony Blair, Richard Caborn at the department of culture, media and sport, the Football Association, The Football League, The Premier League, the Football Licensing Authority, the Fooball Supporters Federation and the police."

Commented on the results, Burmaster added: "It shows how strongly fans feel about having the right to stand - in safe standing areas - inside football grounds if they so wish.

"From the feedback we received fans regard standing at football matches as part of the game's richest traditions.

"The results were certainly all one-way traffic. It seemed that overwhelmingly fans felt that they should have the freedom to choose - I think that was the strongest point that came across.

"They also certainly felt that it should be the clubs and not the government that decides on this.

"We also received many comments on this subject and it was one they felt very passionately about - whether for or against the introduction of safe standing."

See the results of the Census in tonight's Daily Echo