Town have revealed they are in the early stages of looking at bringing safe standing to Portman Road.

In the brochure sent out to current and recent former season ticket holders at the end of last week, the Blues say it’s something they’re in the early stages of assessing.

“Discussions have just begun at the club about introducing a rail seating area at Portman Road, possibly in time for the new season,” the brochure reads.

"“It’s likely this will be trialed as a small area first, with the latest in rail seating technology installed to meet all safety requirements.
"
“Areas in the corner of the Sir Bobby Robson Stand and in the vacant area between the corner of Sir Bobby’s and the Cobbold Stand are being looked at as possible sites.

“Town will speak to supporter groups to get feedback if the project is deemed viable for 2021/22.”

While this season is a possibility, we understand it’s a long-term aim which is more likely to come to fruition in future campaigns.

Bristol City, incoming new Blues CEO Mark Ashton’s current club, announced in February 2020 their intention to introduce rail seating in areas of their South Stand at Ashton Gate from the start of the 2020/21 season, although ultimately the campaign was played without fans present.

Town's fellow League One side Shrewsbury installed rail seating at Montgomery Waters Meadow in 2018 with the initiative having been hailed as a success.

In last summer’s TWTD Questionnaire, 78.2 per cent of respondents said they were in favour of safe standing being introduced at Town, which was very much in line with results in previous years.

The Blues’ new owners have said they will be aiming to tidy up Portman Road in the short term with any more significant work likely to take place over a longer period as the club progresses.

Town are also in the process of looking at the possibility of installing giant screens in the stadium and also the FanZone, and enhancing the PA system.

The club are also aiming to revive plans to decorate the glass at the back of the Cobbold Stand with a mural paying tribute to the club’s history which were postponed due to the start of the pandemic.

Meanwhile, the annual renovation of the pitch at Portman Road is under way.

Elsewhere, former Blues forward Jay Emmanuel-Thomas, 30, will join Scottish Premiership Aberdeen on a two-year deal in June when his contract with his current side Livingston expires.

Photo: Matchday Images

NickITFC added 18:46 - May 18 Very positive. The club actually seems to be thinking about all matters for a change! Keep it going!
21

itsonlyme added 18:49 - May 18 More good news. Onwards and upwards.
11

Smithy added 18:52 - May 18 yep cos its like we all sit down in the SBR stand
1

ronnyd added 18:55 - May 18 The only real way to watch footy, standing up!
6

Northstandveteran added 18:58 - May 18 Excellent news! A far better atmosphere created standing than sitting and so much more fun. Hopefully you won't be allocated a space as in a seat ticket so you can stand where you want with who you want. For me, personally, this make the match day experience so much more enjoyable. Really hope this happens.
9

not_a_witty_name added 19:00 - May 18 No problems standing at Burton but I'd make it adults only. Really hoping it returns to all grounds.
6

Kropotkin123 added 19:01 - May 18 Yeah, the north stand lower needs two this for good atmosphere. Standing and some sort of acoustic change, so the noise projects out and travels across the stand. As we all know, for years one side has had no clue what the other side is singing, which makes chants die out easily and it sounds like a bit of a mess.
7

dominiciawful added 19:12 - May 18 Good!
2

warwickblue added 19:30 - May 18 Safe standing.... I can't help but remember, a little wistfully, the North Stand of the mid-1970s.Cascading down the steps when we scored, shoulders crushed together. And separated from 1500 Arsenal fans by about eight policemen and two metal bars! Of course, safety should be paramount but, really, those were the days!
22

HalesworthBlue7 added 19:54 - May 18 Great bringing back safe standing, good to finally have large screens, anyone know what other plans for the stadium the new owners have ? Am I right in saying long term they have talked about replacing or extending Cobbled stand
2

snotbucket added 20:09 - May 18 Absolute no-brainer for Sir Bobby lower. Feel sorry for those younger fans who will never get to experience the atmosphere of the old north stand back in the day.
7

Nazemariner added 20:50 - May 18 Just terrace the SBRL for goodness sake.
2

BlueBlood90 added 20:53 - May 18 Fantastic stuff! North stand lower would be ideal for this.
1

Linkboy13 added 22:28 - May 18 Im personally at an age now where i would rather be seated. But i think people should have the Freedom of choice to do what they want to do . The lower North stand and Sir Alf Ramsey stand in my opinion have never been ideal for seated spectators. For safety reasons and crowd control i would still keep away fans in their normal seated areas.
3

pazzy added 23:11 - May 18 what is needed in better seating for subs and coaches our old seats are out dated get it updated and it will look very smart and keep our image up
1

Steelmonkey added 05:53 - May 19 In the past I've wanted this back, but having reached a certain juncture in my life I no longer wish to be carried down stepped terraces when a goal is scored, so does this mean I will have to watch the games from a different viewpoint to the one I have virtually all my life as a Town supporter.
0

tractorboybig added 07:31 - May 19 my full support
0

bluediver added 08:32 - May 19 I used the safe standing at Shrewsbury's ground not long after it was installed. It was excellent. There is a seat there for when they are needed but, during the match, they are secured in the up position. There was also room in front for people to go past. Each row of seats has a barrier in front so no 'surges'. The atmosphere when standing is far better. It's a total no-brainer to install.

2

pennblue added 09:34 - May 19 Good news indeed - can you also setup a "Borussia dortmund working group" where we study this club in detail, and look to see how they bring club and community together with such great success.
2

IpswichT62OldBoy added 10:05 - May 19 We must keep the fire alarm announcement, it is iconic
1

TimmyH added 10:28 - May 19 Bring back the good ol' days...as mentioned not packed in like sardines though. Atmosphere will be certainly better!
0

greenkingtone added 10:31 - May 19 Due to age I want to sit down and being only a short ass People standing are a pain to me. They always get up before the ball is in the net and the action is totally screened from me. I used to take by boys and they needed a beer crate to see the pitch and we had to be in the ground by one o'clock to get a place by the railings at the Churchmnan's end. The north stand was packed by that time and with both sets of supporters singing the atmosphere was terrific. Safe standing is however, a good option for the clubif it improves the enjoyment of the fans who like to stand up. The PA improvement and the installation of big screens will bring pR up to date. Onwards and upwards.

0

Cheshire_Blue added 13:10 - May 19 Standing has been an anti-social behaviour at grounds, particularly with away fans, for years with Clubs taking no action against the offenders. This is unfair on those of us who have to sit for one reason or another and unless action is taken soon I shall stop going to matches.
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tempzzzz added 13:39 - May 19 Cheshire_Blue it's not the entire ground, they're talking about a small area of sir bobby lower, which in fairness has always gotten away with standing up anyway. If you want to sit down then you are perfectly entitled to do so, but if you have an issue with people in your way, sit in a different area of the ground where people don't tend to stand up.
3

Steelmonkey added 19:35 - May 19 It's not standing that I'm against, it's the possibility of people getting trampled and hurt through the thoughtless actions of others.
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