Spurs ‘future-proof ’ ground with safe-standing sections

A first view of potential safe standing in the Premier League emerged yesterday with photographs of “future-proofed” areas in Tottenham’s new £800million stadium.

The issue of safe standing is under Government review but, with sports minister Tracey Crouch having described herself as “openminded” on the subject, Tottenham are preparing for a possible change in the law by ensuring that their new stadium could immediately provide the option.

Areas at the front of the stadium’s 17,500 capacity single-tier South Stand, as well as in the visiting supporters’ section, are being futureproofed for safe standing. These are both sections in which the club has had issues with persistent standing at its former White Hart Lane home.

Rail seating is used extensively in Germany but Tottenham have created a different design that they expect to improve comfort by using the same moulded seats as in the rest of the general admission areas.

Season-ticket holders have been made aware of the potential for safe standing when purchasing seats within the future-proofed areas.

“As a club, we did not engage on this until the Hillsborough Inquiry was concluded, which showed that the tragedy in April 1989 had not been caused by standing,” said Donna-maria Cullen, executive director.

“We then conducted research with our fan base which showed overwhelming support for safestanding. The main reasons given were choice and atmosphere – fans cannot sing sitting down.

“So, at our new stadium, we have designed a section within the home area and within the away section that has an integrated safety bar with the normal seating. Fans have bought season tickets for the home area in the knowledge that, should the law change, this would be our standing area – it was one of the first areas to sell out.”

A survey for the Tottenham Hotspur Supporters’ Trust found that 88 per cent of fans were in favour of safe standing.