SAINTS chairman Rupert Lowe today threw his weight behind the Daily Echo's campaign to get the debate on safe standing at Premiership grounds reopened.

Yesterday we launched a campaign aimed at attempting to get the government to listen to the thousands of football fans across the country who are being denied the choice of whether they want to stand or not.

This newspaper stresses we do not condone those fans, including a minority at St Mary's, who continue to stand throughout Premiership games.

We are not promoting standing in seated areas. We are not advocating a return to packed, cramped terraces where you can hardly move your arms. Safety always has to be the main priority.

What we do want is a chance for those who want to stand at topflight football matches to be given the choice that is currently denied them.

Lowe has always insisted he would listen to pleas for a safe standing area at St Mary's, and welcomes the Echo's campaign to get the issue inserted on the political agenda again.

It is said that politics and sport should not mix, but in this instance they have to. There is no alternative.

Lowe said today: "I like to think we have always listened to our supporters, and I believe around 25 per cent of them want a safe standing area.

"I think there should be a debate, it's long overdue.

"I must say we don't condone standing in seated areas.

It's against the law and it's not fair on the elderly or young supporters around them."

Lowe added: "It's crazy that the government can tell us how football clubs should be run, but then totally disregard something that 25 per cent of supporters would like to see.

"We need to have the debate. If standing is not safe, then why isn't it safe?

"If they don't tell us it puts clubs in a difficult position.

"At the moment we don't make the law or enforce it; but we have to make sure it is obeyed.

If it's not then the Football Licensing Authority and the city council could close parts of our stadium down.

"In a way we are therefore caught between the wall and the wallpaper.

"I want people to come and watch us and enjoy their football. I don't want to see some of the scenes we've had this season."

Lowe continued: "We live in a democracy and if enough people ask for something it should be democratically debated.

"But it seems to me that the authorities have to be brought to task on something like this otherwise they will keep on ignoring them."

The chairman insisted he would consider removing seats from St Mary's to create a safe standing area if the existing regulations were changed.

"It would be a costly thing to do because we've spent a lot of money building an all-seater stadium which is something the law said we had to do," he explained.

"But if it can be proved that safe standing can be brought into our grounds, that it is safe and that it is legal, we would have to listen if 25 per cent of our supporters wanted it."

Lowe maintains Prime Minster Tony Blair has reneged on a pre-1997 General Election pledge to debate the reintroduction of safe standing.

Writing in the Independent on Sunday in January 1995, the then opposition leader said: "While safety must always be the ultimate criteria, there is no reason to ignore technological improvements made since Taylor reported, which might now allow for safe standing."

Lowe said: "The whole point of governments is to govern democratically and listening to people about what they want.

"I remember Tony Blair saying he would look into safe standing when he was trying to procure votes.

"Now he's the Prime Minister he hasn't done what he said he would do."

Tomorrow we will be giving you the chance to pledge your support to the campaign to make Sports Minister Richard Caborn aware of the growing support for a debate on safe standing.

In the meantime, we want to hear YOUR views on the subject - whether you are for or against safe standing.

You can write to myself, Simon Carter, c/o the sports desk, Southern Echo, Newspaper House, Test Lane, Redbridge, Southampton, or e-mail me using the link above.

Remember, YOUR views matter - and they could help to make a difference.