Today

The majority of football fans in the UK want a return to standing in grounds, the BBC has reported.

According to a survey obtained by BBC Sport, 92 per cent of supporters want clubs to bring back safe standing areas.

Standing terraces in England were phased out in 1989 after Lord Justice Taylor's report into the Hillsborough disaster.

Ninety-six Liverpool fans were killed on 15 April 1989 because of over-crowding at the Sheffield ground.

The official inquiry, dubbed the Taylor Report, blamed the disaster on poor policing and inadequate facilities.

It recommended that all top division stadiums in England and Scotland phase out their concrete terraces and become all-seater. The report also called for the removal of perimeter fencing.

The latest survey was carried out by the Football Fans Census (FFC), an independent and neutral forum where football fans can post messages on football-related matters.

"This is the fourth time we have polled fans on this issue and support for standing in safe, designated areas has consistently been over 90 per cent," FFC co-founder Tim Gentles told the BBC.

The FFC survey questioned more than 2,000 supporters from all clubs and divisions.

Tim Gentles, FFC co-founder: "This is the fourth time we have polled fans on this issue and support for standing in safe, designated areas has consistently been over 90 per cent."

Former Sports Minister Kate Hoey tried to re-open the debate for a return to terraces during her tenure as sports minister in 2000.

She asked the Football Licensing Authority to analyse designs used at stadiums in Germany.

"We are not talking about going back to the old-style terraces, which were very unsafe," Hoey told BBC Five Live back in 2001.

"What I am talking about and what supporters are talking about is whether it is possible for what we would call small standing areas that would allow people to stand in safety.

"In Germany, they have stadia with different designs which allow them to be converted very quickly back from standing into seating when it is necessary."

Recently, Hoey said: "A rational reappraisal of this issue is long overdue. It's time to talk."

Conservative party leader David Cameron also wants football authorities to consider the introduction of safely designed standing areas.

He said: "Obviously the first principle here has got to be safety first after the dreadful events at Hillsborough.

"But I do understand the point that other countries manage to organise things in a slightly different way, and there may be some more modern ways of organising the limited standing areas."

The findings of the FFC survey are likely to anger The Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG).

Back in 2000, the group was outraged by Hoey's calls for a debate on a possible return of terraces to football grounds.

Many journalists and football officials believe that all-seater stadiums have led to a significant decrease in football hooliganism, while at the same time encouraging more female and ethnic minority fans to watch games.

However, a large number of supporters blame all-seater stadia for higher ticket prices and a lack of atmosphere at matches.

The debate whether or not to re-introduce standing in grounds is highly controversial and will always revoke the painful memories of the Hillsborough tragedy.