Manchester City are taking the major step of installing more than 5,000 rail seats at the Etihad Stadium this summer.
The Premier League leaders have committed to the work in preparation for a potential change in government legislation to permit safe standing at football stadia.
City will undergo the construction ahead of next season, refitting the entire bottom tier of their South Stand. Around 10 per cent of that will be for away supporters.
Tottenham and Wolves have already kitted out their stadiums with the rail seats, while Manchester United are in the process of erecting 1,500 in a corner of Old Trafford.
City will fit 5,620 seats with a rail in front to lean on behind one goal at the Etihad and believe the decision will enhance safety in an area where persistent standing occurs.
The club's managing director of operations Danny Wilson said: 'Whilst we will continue to remind supporters that they should remain seated during matches, we are also pleased to inform them that the installation of a rail seating area means the Etihad Stadium will be ready and prepared should the government bring forward legislation to introduce safe standing in the Premier League.
'The development and installation of a bespoke rail seating system at the Etihad Stadium will not only improve supporter safety but also ensures that until there is a change in legislation which permits safe standing, the matchday experience of supporters and Seasoncard holders in the lower tier of the South Stand will remain unaffected.'
The move follows extensive research and consultation by City, who worked closely with Manchester City Council and the Sports Ground Safety Authority.
Standing at matches has been banned in the top two tiers since the Taylor Report into the 1989 Hillsborough Disaster but rail seating has proved successful on the continent.
A wide-ranging survey of City supporters, conducted in 2018 regarding the future development of the Etihad, prompted 'overwhelmingly positive' feedback on the prospect of rail seating.
City wanted to oversee the changes during the summer months so as not to disrupt supporters mid-season.
They are also undergoing a major rebuild of the Etihad surface, with a complete refit from the foundations – their largest expenditure on the pitch in 11 years.
FAPIO21_cityzen
0
but it will still be empty as fu**
but still you will be beaten by there😂anytime
Brett-Clement
0
but it will still be empty as fu**
ah ha I get it, top quality banter it really is
SkullSwagger
0
The cheers? idc. they have a boring atmosphere by the way. bruh
then there's a difference between boring atmosphere and having no fans ..the joke is dead man why don't people move on
Emily12747
0
Yeah bro that's true, I can play with out fans and win.... but Liverpool can't play with out fans that's their curse
yeah , coz the fans is the 12th men on the field at Anfield only. And yeah we lost 6 consecutive at home, that because of injuries. Careful we are back on track
Emily12747
0
ugh shut it with outdated jokes they do have fans and you will hear the cheers when city lift the title again
The cheers? idc. they have a boring atmosphere by the way. bruh
Superior121
1
but it will still be empty as fu**
Yeah bro that's true, I can play with out fans and win.... but Liverpool can't play with out fans that's their curse
MunvungPa
2
Without a doubt, oil money is nearly everything.
SkullSwagger
7
but it will still be empty as fu**
ugh shut it with outdated jokes they do have fans and you will hear the cheers when city lift the title again
G-debruyne
1
but it will still be empty as fu**
Who cares
Emily12747
2
but it will still be empty as fu**
17mulla
3
But but they haven't manage to fully fill the field before, anyways 👇
sy_sampson
1
president is fkn rich
NgaiShing
0
But....😂