Safe standing: Wolves become first Premier League club to install rail seats at current home

Safe standing: Wolves become first Premier League club to install rail seats at current home
Wolves have installed various safe-standing options at Molineux, making them the first Premier League club to do so at their current stadium.A mix of rail seats and seats with separate barriers have been installed in a currently unused block of the Billy Wright Stand to show fans and the local Safety Advisory Group how they would work when the law banning persistent standing is dropped.4

Wolves have built safe standing sections at Molineux

Wolves are also putting in two further options – barriers in front of existing seats – later this week in order to demonstrate five solutions in total, the Black Country club have announced.In a statement, managing director Laurie Dalrymple said: “As a club we are keen to be at the forefront of innovation and progression, so the opportunity to install these examples of potential safe-standing solutions was one we were very happy to explore.“Whilst the seats themselves will not be operational or used at matches, we are now able to give our Fan’s Parliament group and local authority the opportunity to view all the options before some of these solutions become commonplace in UK stadiums. “We are now actively working on plans regarding the development and expansion of Molineux in line with the club’s ambitions on and off the pitch, and we see this as another example of how we plan to meet supporters’ expectations and desires as we deliver a stadium that meets all of our requirements.”Grounds in England’s two top divisions have had to be all-seater ever since the 1989 Hillsborough disaster but the government is reviewing that legislation, with most safety experts expecting it to be relaxed in the coming months.That would bring the Premier League and Championship in line with Leagues One and Two, as well as grounds in Scotland, where Celtic became the first British club to introduce Bundesliga-style rail seats in 2016.4

The safe standing section at Shrewsbury Town’s Montgomery Waters Meadow stadium

Wolves’ midlands neighbours West Brom asked for permission to pilot a safe-standing section, with rail seats, at the Hawthorns last season, but their request was rejected by the then sports minister Tracey Crouch.She told the club she remained unconvinced that standing sections could ever be as safe as seated areas and later told the Press Association that only “a vocal minority” were interested in scrapping the all-seater rule.Within weeks, however, an online petition forced Crouch to grant a parliamentary debate on the matter and, with growing support for change from the clubs, the government eventually agreed to a review.Judging the direction of travel, Tottenham have installed 7,500 seats with a safety barrier in front of them at their rebuilt White Hart Lane home. These seats can be flipped up and perhaps even locked in place to create a standing area.4

Tottenham’s new stadium will have a safe standing option

The Sports Ground Safety Authority has confirmed that Spurs’ “safe-seating” idea is compliant with the government’s current all-seater policy, providing strict conditions on maintenance and stewarding are kept.Everton have also said their proposed new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock has been designed with the flexibility to have large standing areas, while Manchester City are among the clubs currently considering where standing sections could be introduced to their grounds.But with Spurs unlikely to move into their state-of-the-art home until March at the earliest, Wolves are the first big English club to actually fit safe-standing solutions in their current home.4

Celtic installed a standing section in 2016

Safe-standing campaigner Jon Darch told Press Association Sport: “We anticipate that Safety Advisory Groups will be looking closely at clubs with areas of persistent standing and will most likely encourage them to enhance spectator safety in those areas by installing rail seats like those now on show at Molineux.“I also anticipate that legislation will change to allow clubs to operate areas, fitted with such seating, as formal standing areas. That could potentially happen this year.”

---

Manchester United transfer news: Andy Cole expects Red Devils to sign new striker, amid Robert Lewandowski and Paulo Dybala links Talksport; PSG and United eyeing Lewandowski transfer -- report YAHOO!
Transfer news LIVE: Chelsea confirm deal, Man United 'agree
fussboll.com/2019/05/21/transfer-news-live-chelsea-confirm-deal-man-united-agree-winger-terms-arsenal-close-in-on-argentina-midfielder-and-much-more/
Transfer news LIVE: Andy Cole expects Red Devils to sign new striker, amid Robert Lewandowski and Paulo Dybala links.
Manchester United news: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer confirms Paul

---

Fabian Delph jokes he could give new daughter the middle name 'Samara' after England's World Cup win in city. Fabian Delph says he is considering Samara as a middle name for his new child
World Cup 2018: England beat Sweden 2-0 to reach semi-finals

---

Chelsea fans are calling for Maurizio Sarri to be sacked following the FA Cup defeat by Manchester United. During Monday night's 2-0 defeat at Stamford Bridge, supporters turned on the Italian
Maurizio Sarri: I can avoid being sacked by Chelsea : The

---

West Ham midfielder Josh Cullen is on loan at Charlton Athletic this season. Charlton's Josh Cullen has been added to the Republic of Ireland squad for their opening Euro 2020 qualifiers.
Republic Of Ireland football squad confirmed for Denmark

---

Legend The Argentina forward turns 32 in June, but continues to wow football fans Lionel Messi continues to break records every year. The five-time Ballon d'Or winner guided Barcelona to the LaLiga title this season and could add to his trophy cabinet when they take on Valencia in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday.
~ Lionel Messi: Every record the Barcelona superstar has

---

Aston Villa 4-2 Birmingham City: Hosts claim bragging rights by winning entertaining Second City derby Sunday, 25 November 2018 Alan Hutton scored a superb solo goal to seal Aston Villa's 4-2 defeat of Birmingham in Sunday's Second City derby.
Aston Villa 4 Birmingham City 2: Villa take the bragging

---

Man United visit Wolves in FA Cup last eight, Swansea to host Man City will once again be on the road after being drawn away to Championship side Swansea City. Draw in full: Swansea City v
Wolverhampton Wolves vs. Manchester United FREE live - nj.com

---

Tony Cottee says West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice has the personality to go on and captain both club and country. Speaking to The Football show, former Hammer Cottee heaped praise on the youngster, having been impressed with both his ability and his attitude. "He's an outstanding
West Ham legend makes big claim about Declan Rice's

---

Mauricio Pochettino has been given the go ahead to rebuild Tottenham this summer ahead of a renewed push for silverware next season. Spurs' outside Premier League title challenge came up short
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino warns of 'painful' rebuild

---

Toby Alderweireld will be able to leave Tottenham for £

---

Spurs came back from behind to earn a 1-1 draw against rivals Arsenal in the North London derby at Wembley on Saturday. It was an eventful game, typified by the last 20 minutes in which Harry Kane scored a penalty to level things before Hugo Lloris saved a Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang spot-kick in stoppage time.

---

Terry McDermott believes Liverpool do not necessarily need to win a trophy this season to make their supporters proud. The Reds have had a superb season, amassing their highest points total in
NO CUPS, NO PROBLEM Liverpool legend suggests Reds don't need

---

Home / Virgil van Dijk: PFA winner focused on Lionel Messi and Barcelona and rubbishes Ballon d'Or talk Sport April 29, 2019 Virgil van Dijk: PFA winner focused on Lionel Messi and Barcelona and rubbishes Ballon d'Or talk
Virgil van Dijk: PFA winner focused on Lionel Messi and

---

Chelsea transfer news: Blues create Callum Hudson-Odoi plan after Bayern Munich bids CHELSEA hope that offering Callum Hudson-Odoi consistent game-time between now and the end of the season can
Chelsea transfer news LIVE! Eden Hazard, Callum Hudson-Odoi

---