Section

During the formation of the group in 2013, the top of SK1 was chosen as the location to house the group due to the large amount of seats available in this area at the time. However, less than 6 months after our first outing, the club gained promotion and the season ticket occupancy in this area rocketed, penning the group in and preventing significant growth for the following eight seasons.

In summer 2020, we presented a proposal to the club detailing a designated section to relocate the group and like-minded fans into. This was a 30-page document detailing why the chosen area was selected, the benefits it would bring, and ways the club could manage potential obstacles. The aim of this proposal was to provide a focal point for the vocal support which could galvanise both the South and East stands, and house standing fans in rail seating to improve supporter safety.

The concept was inspired by the experience of the first trial section vs Wigan Athletic in January 2020. The club had not initially planned to put SK1 on sale for the fixture, so the section would not impact any season ticket holders' ability to sit in their usual seat. The trial section was approved and promoted exclusively by UFS, with around 500 tickets sold in the section. We considered the impact the section had on the atmosphere at this game a huge success, confirming to us the effectiveness of the concept and leading us to draft a formal proposal for it to be implemented long-term.

During the period games were played behind closed doors, we remained in contact with the club on the subject.

For the Brighton League Cup fixture in September 2021 the section moved to M1. In January of 2022, after a discussion around the impact on displaced ST holders, the section was repositioned as originally proposed in SK1 for the 3rd round FA Cup tie against Watford. Due to the low take up during the season ticket exclusive selling period, around 95% of the identified 699 seats were available to supporters looking to relocate into the section. The trial section was advertised in tandem by LCFC and UFS, and quickly sold out. Again, we considered the impact of the initiative a definite success and positive feedback was received across the board.

Issues were however identified by the club which lead to the decision not to continue the trial against Randers in the Conference League.

These issues were resolved in time for the visit of Rennes, easily the highest profile game of the trial to date. This time, ST seats in the section were not reserved and were put on sale to anyone wishing to move in. We felt Rennes was another fantastic success, a sentiment which was echoed by the club.

We hoped for the same selling arrangements to be implemented against PSV Eindhoven but this didn't occur and we were not provided with an update until after tickets had been put on sale, although the section would return as previously implemented for our final European home game against Roma.

The club then conducted an extensive survey to gather feedback on the trial. This consultation included supporters who had relocated into one of the sections, supporters whose ST seats were in the section but had bought elsewhere, and those who had not had any direct contact with the section. The club organised a feedback session on 12 May where they revealed that the survey feedback was overwhelmingly positive, and that the trial would be extended to all league and cup games for the 22/23 season.

We will provide further updates on relocations over the summer.

Although the dialogue between ourselves and the club took time to develop, and the trial this season was stop-start at times, ultimately the views of a significant portion of match going fans have been heard and acted upon. The benefits of a dedicated section for vocal supporters were recognised and changes made sooner than we anticipated.

We are grateful to the club for taking concrete steps to improve the atmosphere at Leicester City home matches.

We are buzzing for the new season and intend to revitalise the a home atmosphere that has been largely flat since the return of fans to Filbert Way.

Up the City,
Union FS

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