Express & Star

Wolves express interest in bringing safe standing to Molineux

Wolves have expressed an interest in bringing safe standing to Molineux should legislation on the issue change.

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Football grounds in English football's top two divisions are currently banned from having standing inside their stadiums.

However in Scotland the rules are different and Celtic recently installed rail seating at Celtic Park, which has proved successful both there and in other European countries.

Wolves are currently looking at plans to redevelop Molineux should the club establish itself in the Premier League.

Local rivals Albion recently had a proposal for a pilot scheme which would have seen 3,600 seats converted to rail seats rejected.

And sports minister Tracey Crouch said there were no plans to change the all-seater policy at football stadiums.

Dalrymple said: “As a club, we would certainly welcome the opportunity to be part of any safe-standing pilot-scheme given the green light by the government, football’s governing bodies and the Sports Ground Safety Authority.

“The chairman and I have been open in interviews, and in meetings with supporters, about plans to develop and expand Molineux in the coming years, and it would be remiss of us to not explore the possibility of rail-seating being part of those plans.

“We have all been watching the trial at Celtic with great interest, and the feedback there seems to be overwhelmingly positive in terms of atmosphere, safety and security.

“Whilst West Brom’s recent proposal may have been rejected by the DCMS, it is clear momentum is gathering in favour of those who want to see a safe-standing solution at least trialled in English football’s top tiers, and we would very much like to be a part of that when it happens.”

In 2015 Wolves said they were open to the suggestion of safe standing and a delegation of fans went to observe how it's been done at Celtic Park.

Fans can sign a petition that is urging the government to consider allowing safe standing for Premier League and Championship football clubs, which already has over 95,000 signatures.

If it receives over 100,000, the petition will be considered for debate in Parliament.