Sheffield Wednesday have been banned from opening Hillsborough’s North Stand to spectators due to safety concerns, further compounding the challenges facing the crisis-hit club before the new Championship season.
With Wednesday currently under an EFL transfer embargo, and Danny Rohl departing as manager this week, a prohibition notice issued by Sheffield city council means another problem has hit the club’s ownership, led by the Thai businessman Dejphon Chansiri. Wednesday’s first home game of the season is on Saturday 16 August, against Stoke.
Sheffield city councillor Joe Otten said the decision had been taken following an assessment “by engineering specialists who can no longer confirm that the North Stand is safe for spectator use”. Previous meetings of the local Safety Advisory Group, first reported by the BBC, had observed there was corrosion in trusses supporting the roof of the stand, as well as insecure electrical wiring and cracks in the terracing itself.
The North Stand was built in the 1960-61 season and holds a capacity of 9,255 spectators, many of whom are season-tickets holders. The stand also provides access for supporters with disabilities, with 54 wheelchair spaces and accessible seating for up to 360 people. They are now left waiting to know whether they will be able to watch their team during the upcoming campaign, which begins in a little over a fortnight.
Wednesday are under a transfer embargo and subject to EFL fee restrictions until the end of the summer window following a previous failure to pay transfer fees on time. Further sanctions could be forthcoming if the club fail to make payroll at the end of this month for what would be the fourth time in five months. Reports in the Sheffield Star have suggested the bill for repairs in the North Stand could reach seven figures.
In a statement published on their website, the club said: “Sheffield Wednesday can confirm that, following a recent meeting with the local Safety Advisory Group, Sheffield City Council has today issued a Prohibition Notice preventing the use of the North Stand at Hillsborough.
“The club are continuing to work with the Safety Advisory Group to satisfy their concerns such that the North Stand remains open. Additional information is currently being obtained, and we will provide further updates to our supporters at the earliest possible opportunity.”