MP Roger Godsiff has called on football supporters right across the country to keep lobbying those in power in an attempt to get the debate on safe standing re-opened in Parliament.

The MP for Birmingham Sparkbrook had a bill drawn up earlier this year after being picked out in a Private Members Ballot.

But his Bill was never debated.

Though Godsiff would not publicy say it, The Daily Echo is led to believe the subject was prevented from being talked about in Parliament.

Once the government knew it was on the agenda, they got their whips to lobby the backbenchers in an attempt to stop it being aired.

We believe some backbenchers debated a proposed Bill on Food processing for so long that time ran out for Godsiff and his supporters.

In an interview with The Echo, he reflected: "It was sad.

"What happened was something that gave no credit whatsoever to anybody in the government or in Parliament.

"Issues like this need to be debated."

Godsiff believes Tony Blair's government is still hiding behind the 1989 Hillsborough stadium disaster as a reason not to debate safe standing.

"My Bill paid due respects to those who died at Hillsborough. It discussed it in a rational way.

"What happened at Hillsborough, as the Hillsborough families will tell you, had nothing to do with standing.

"Speak to the Hillsborough families are there are two opinions. The majority still favour all-seater stadiums, but there is a strong minority who back safe standing areas.

"The one thing they will all agree on is that fences should never come back. If there's a problem with safety, the safest way is on to the pitch - it's got nothing to do with standing.

"If you have safe standing areas and there are people standing up in the seats, then the stewards could ask them to move to those areas, and they'd have right on their side."

Godsiff added: "This is about choice. I've had this debate with Doug Ellis at Aston Villa, and that's what I said to him: 'Doug, no-one is forcing you to do anything. If you don't want to do it, you don't have to'.

"But Rupert Lowe's attitude at Southampton is that if something can be proved to be safe, and the police and the council back it, he'll consider using it. All credit to him."

Godsiff revealed he will put in for the Private Members Ballot again. "If my name is drawn out, there's no reason why I won't put it forward again. There's obviously a lot of political topics worth debating but I do feel strongly about this issue.

"The way to go about this is for everyone to join together. Let the government know there is a groundswell of support - particularly if you're from a marginal area.

"I'd ask all football fans to lobby their MPs, get them kicking up a fuss."

YOUR LOCAL AREA MPs: John Denham (Southampton Itchen), Alan Whitehead (Southampton Test), David Chidgey (Eastleigh), Peter Viggers (Gosport), Dr Julian Lewis (New Forest East), Desmond Swayne (New Forest West), Sandra Gidley (Romsey), Mark Oaten (Winchester).

If you feel strongly about safe standing, please write to them expressing your views at the House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. The House of Commons does not accept packages containing letters addressed to several MPs. All correspondance must be individually addressed.