Reds are weighing up move for ‘safe standing’
NOTTINGHAM Forest are considering a move to bring a ‘safe standing’ area to the City Ground.
Premier League clubs including Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool and Wolves already have such sections for supporters and the government has today agreed clubs in the Premier League and Championship will be able to offer licensed standing areas from January 1 next year as part of a pilot programme.
The Sports Grounds Safety Authority (SGSA) set out the plans in a statement on Wednesday. The SGSA said the project would be independently evaluated, with all other areas of the stadia remaining all-seater.
Sports minister Nigel Huddleston said: “We have been clear that we will work with fans and clubs towards introducing safe standing at football grounds providing there was evidence that installing seating with barriers would have a positive impact on crowd safety.
“With independent research now complete, and capacity crowds back at grounds across the country, now is the right time to make progress. I look forward to hearing from clubs who wish to be part of our early adopters programme during the second half of this season.”
Top level stadiums in England moved to be all-seater venues after the Hillsborough disaster at the 1989
FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Forest claimed 97 lives.
In Scotland, Celtic have rail seating which allows fans to stand but prevents people from rushing forwards en-masse. Liverpool currently have 7,800 such rail seats across two parts of Anfield.
It is understood Forest are also considering rail seats similar to Celtic’s and have met with potential suppliers, with the government poised to give its blessing to an expansion of the programme after trials proved successful.
The City Ground has been in its current form since the construction of the Trent End in 1996. It is believed there could be an initial installation of around 350 rail seats with the possibility to expand that area into the thousands in future, dependent on the success of the project and cost of expansion.
Forest are understood to see the project as being at an early stage as they examine its feasibility. They have met with supporters group Forza Garibaldi, who back the project and feel those meetings have been open and positive thus far.
Clubs must apply to be part of the ‘early adopter’ programme by October 6, and if approved will be able to operate a licensed standing area from New Year’s Day until the end of the season.
Clubs must meet a range of criteria in order to gain approval.