Nottingham City Council is backing plans for safe standing to be introduced at Notts County’s Meadow Lane stadium in a bid to prevent ‘crowd collapse’. Fans will be allowed to stand during matches in a designated area of the ground to reduce the danger of people falling down gangways and stairs.
Standing during games had previously been banned since 1989 in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster, which claimed the lives of 96 Liverpool fans. The rule did not apply to lower league clubs and the government eventually said that, from the season starting in 2022, Premier League and Championship clubs that wished to would be able to introduce licensed safe standing areas.
The areas usually involve some seating remaining, but with bars installed along the front of each row to prevent people falling. Nottingham Forest introduced safe standing areas across parts of the City Ground ahead of the 2024/25 season and the Magpies are now following suit.
The club has long pondered introducing safe standing, with former owner Alan Hardy saying as far back as 2017 that “it could add to the atmosphere”. Notts County first announced in March that it would be bringing in safe standing following a consultation with fans ready for the 2025/26 season.
Nottingham City Council has now outlined its support for the plans ahead of a meeting next Wednesday (July 9) which is set to renew a key safety certificate for Meadow Lane. A report being presented at that meeting reads: “The club and certifying authority have acknowledged that some spectators persistently stand in seated areas during games. There are known risks associated with this practice including falling over the seat in front or behind during a moment of excitement, a progressive crowd collapse and falls.
“Following the submission of technical drawings, detailed measurements and self-assessments that have been verified by the certifying authority, the club are to install independent barriers in the summer of 2025.” Notts County previously said that in a consultation with fans that had 2,800 responses, 73% were in favour of safe standing.
The Magpies says the best area for a safe standing area will be a section of The Kop, with the club saying: “The safe standing area will run the full width of the stand to ensure sight lines aren’t compromised, with the number of rows, starting from the back of the stand, being subject to demand.” Nottingham City Council’s report also says the club are planning to remove 45 seats to install a permanent TV gantry in the upper tier of The Kop.
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