Hillsborough stand structural integrity alarm

Article posted by Coliseum, August 7^th, 2025

Image: Sheffield Wednesday

The Championship team Sheffield Wednesday F.C. has confirmed that following a recent meeting with the local Safety Advisory Group the Sheffield City Council issued a Prohibition Notice preventing the use of the North Stand at their residence – the Hillsborough Stadium in South Yorkshire, England (UK). The club was forced to close the 9,255-capacity North Stand on July 29^th.

‘LocalGov’ stated that the football club was unable to provide the Sheffield City Council with assurances as to the ‘structural integrity’ of the North Stand.

The Sheffield Wednesday Football Club is a professional football club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England (UK). The club competes in the Championship, the second tier of English football.

The Hillsborough Stadium is a football stadium in the area of Owlerton, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England (UK). With a total capacity of 39,732 (it has been temporarily reduced to 34,835) it has been the home of the Sheffield Wednesday Football Club since it opened its doors in 1899.

The Sheffield City Council is the local authority for the City of Sheffield, a Metropolitan borough with City status in South Yorkshire, England (UK). The Council consists of 84 Councilors elected to represent 28 Wards each with three Councilors.

‘LocalGov’ further stated that in the absence of such assurances the Council, the authority responsible for issuing the general safety certificate for the stadium, decided to issue a Prohibition Notice preventing the use of the stand.

Commented Councilor Joe Otten, Chair of the Environmental Services and Regulation Policy Committee, Sheffield City Council, “We recognize that this is a very difficult situation and we will continue working closely with the club and provide support and guidance where we can.”

A statement on Sheffield Wednesday’s Website said, “Additional information is currently being obtained and we will provide further updates to our supporters at the earliest possible opportunity.”

The club is continuing to work with the Safety Advisory Group to satisfy their concerns so that the North Stand remains open.

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