Sheffield City Council reduces the capacity of Sheffield Wednesday’s North Stand to 0 amid serious concerns on the structural integrity.
The North Stand, which has a capacity of 9,255, has been closed due to structural safety concerns, specifically “extensive corrosion” in the roof.
A prohibition notice was issued after the club failed to provide assurances on repairs, preventing fans from using the stand for the upcoming season, starting with the home game against Stoke City on August 16th.
This closure adds to the club’s challenges, including financial issues, late wage payments, and the recent departure of manager Danny Rohl.
🚨 𝗕𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗞𝗜𝗡𝗚: Sheffield Wednesday have been denied a safety certificate for the North Stand at Hillsborough.
A statement from Sheffield City Council said: “Assurances around the structural integrity of the North Stand have not been provided by Sheffield Wednesday Football… pic.twitter.com/5gZvq72ZvY
— The Championship Chat Podcast (@Champchatpod24) July 29, 2025
SHEFFIELD CITY COUNCIL:
Prohibition Notice issued for Sheffield Wednesday Football Club
All councils must ensure that sports grounds are safe. Spectator safety is paramount. In its role as the certifying authority responsible for issuing the general safety certificate for Hillsborough Stadium,
Sheffield City Council has issued a prohibition notice in respect of the North Stand.
All councils must ensure that sports grounds are safe. Spectator safety is paramount.
Following a meeting of the Safety Advisory Group on 18th July 2025 and subsequent discussions with the club, Sheffield City Council in its role as the certifying authority responsible for issuing the general safety certificate for Hillsborough Stadium has decided to issue a prohibition notice in respect of the North Stand.
A prohibition notice is a formal document issued to a club by a local authority to prevent spectators entering a football ground or specific stand until the specified work to resolve the issue has been completed to the satisfaction of the local authority.
Assurances around the structural integrity of the North Stand have not been provided by Sheffield Wednesday Football Club and as the body responsible for the safety of sports grounds and all spectators, the Council has been forced to make this decision to not allow spectators into the North Stand.
The Council would need the necessary professional assurances that the ground is safe before the prohibition notice would be lifted.
Councillor Joe Otten, Chair of the Environmental Services and Regulation Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council – “It is our role to ensure the safety of all sports grounds for all spectators. We have been working with Sheffield Wednesday Football Club for some time, through the Safety Advisory Group which we chair, to seek reassurance that the North Stand is structurally compliant.
“Because we haven’t been given that professional reassurance, we are regrettably in a position where we must issue a notice prohibiting spectators in the North Stand until we can be absolutely assured that the required work has been undertaken to the satisfaction of the council as certifying authority. We have done this immediately, following an assessment by engineering specialists who can no longer confirm that the North Stand is safe for spectator use.
“We recognise that this is a very difficult situation, and we will continue working closely with the club and provide support and guidance where we can. We as much as anyone want to see the fans enjoying football at Sheffield Wednesday next season.”
Sheffield City Council has issued a prohibition notice, reducing the North Stand’s capacity to 0.
Spectator safety is paramount and I fully support the council in this decision.
I have written to Dejphon Chansiri asking him to provide clarity on a number of questions I have. pic.twitter.com/CBmLkJD6kE
— Gill Furniss MP (@GillFurnissMP) July 29, 2025
Gill Furniss MP said – “Sheffield City Council has issued a prohibition notice, reducing the North Stand’s capacity to 0.
“Spectator safety is paramount and I fully support the council in this decision.
“I have written to Dejphon Chansiri asking him to provide clarity on a number of questions I have.
“Dear Dejphon,
“North Stand Prohibition Order
“As you are aware, I have written to you on a number of occasions in the past regarding my concerns with your ongoing custodianship of Sheffield Wednesday FC.
“However, I am deeply worried by the latest development, which has resulted in the number of permitted spectators in the North Stand effectively reduced to zero.
“The issues affecting the North Stand are not new. The club has been warned by the Safety Advisory Group on multiple occasions that if remedial work is not completed “any further delays could prejudice the issue of a certificate for the new season.”
“Public safety is of the upmost importance, and I fully support SAG and Sheffield City Council in coming to this decision.
“Given that the home match against Stoke is in less than 3 weeks, the fans and I would appreciate clarity on the below questions as soon as possible.
“1. Will you publish a clear timeline of what remedial work is needed, if any?
“2. What action, if any, has the club taken to commission contractors to complete any necessary remedial works?
“3. Given the widely reported ongoing financial challenges affecting the stability of the club, are you in a position to ensure that any necessary works are completed?
“4. Will any necessary work be completed prior to the first home match of the season?
“5. Has the club communicated with residents in the vicinity of the North Stand regarding their concerns as to the structure in its current state and the potential impact that any remedial work may cause?
“6. Can you confirm if you have spoken to the EFL and requested for scheduled home games to be rearranged as away games?
If work is needed to ensure that the North Stand is structurally compliant, and the work will not be completed in time for the start of the season and fixtures are unable to be rearranged to be played away from home, I would appreciate answers to the following questions.
“1. Will you commit to offering any fan that has purchased a season ticket in the North Stand that desires one a refund?
“2. Will you commit to ensuring that fans who are willing to move to another section of the stadium are able to pick their own seating, to ensure they can remain sitting next to their family, friends, and loved ones?
“3. If a fan is moved to a section of the stadium with cheaper seating, will you commit to offering a partial refund reflective of the difference in ticket value?
“4. Will the club commit to ensuring that match-day workers who work in the North Stand (i.e stewarding and catering) are redeployed in other areas of the stadium to mitigate a loss of income?”
The SWFC Trust supports the North Stand closure. Fan safety must come first. The owner has had years to carry out necessary improvement works. #SWFC #EnoughisEnough
Press Statement 👇🏻 pic.twitter.com/ChbNwP0zZM
— Sheffield Wednesday Supporters’ Trust (@SWFCTrust) July 29, 2025
SWFC Trust supports the North Stand closure. Fan safety must come first. The owner has had years to carry out necessary improvement works.
SWFC SUPPORTERS TRUST:
“The Sheffield Wednesday Supporters Trust wishes to address the recent decision by Sheffield City Council to close the North Stand at Hillsborough Stadium for an indefinite period.
“We recognise this development will be of great concern to thousands of Sheffield Wednesday fans, the local community, and businesses in the Hillsborough area.
“Our representatives attended the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) meetings that led to this outcome, and we fully support the council’s position. The safety of supporters must always be the top priority and cannot be compromised.
“It is our understanding that concerns regarding rust and drainage on the North Stand were first raised in November 2021. The club received a detailed specification and schedule for remedial works in March 2022 and solicited tenders for completion that same year. A contractor was recommended, but the necessary repairs did not proceed.
“We observe with regret that the club’s owner expressed reluctance to invest in the required works, citing potential future plans to relocate the stadium. Further, in 2025, a secondary structural report was commissioned from a company in Bangkok. Available evidence suggests that this company did not visit Hillsborough, nor did it conduct an independent assessment of the stand’s condition. The report was subsequently rejected by SAG for not meeting acceptable safety standards.
“We note with alarm that the owner was seemingly prepared to risk fans safety by commissioning a report from a small local Bangkok company with no experience in this type of work in the UK. That this should be being considered at this particular stadium with our history is inconceivable. The club was repeatedly warned that, without completion of the specified repairs, the North Stand would not be permitted to open for the 2025/26 season. Deadlines were missed, and only in June 2025 did the Board approve the necessary works after being informed once again of the stand’s closure.
“Safety professionals have confirmed a risk of structural failure exists and, while unlikely, consequences could be catastrophic. The Trust supports SAG’s decision as the only responsible course of action.We are deeply disappointed by this situation, which we believe was entirely avoidable. Responsibility for these events lies with the club’s owner, not with club officials or the SAG group.
“For those asking, protests will be announced for both Leicester away and Stoke at home”
Twitter users reacted as Sheffield City Council reduces capacity of Sheffield Wednesday’s North Stand to 0 amid concerns…
Still selling tickets for a stand thats shut 🤣🤣🤣 #swfc pic.twitter.com/HWr6ocGOeN
— L J W 🦉 (@ljwhitehouse10) July 29, 2025
@ndunne76: Gets worse by the minute
@GP1867: This really is just the fucking worst. We’re like English footballs punching bag right now. Every cunt and their dog giving it large. #SWFC
@Christoph0512: Chansiri has been selling season tickets for the North Stand knowing there was a very real chance of this happening. And he’s known about this for 3 years. Criminal. Time for refunds. #swfc
@Nantwich_Owls: At this rate ending up with a fans 11 a side match on Hillsborough park is increasing becoming more likely than starting the season – the club is beyond resuscitation. Need a miracle. Save Wednesday. From. Chansiri. #swfc #wawaw
@twentyfiveyears: 1 week before the season: Players unpaid. Best players sold for peanuts. No tickets on sale for opening fixtures. No proper friendlies arranged. Stand condemned. 1000’s of season ticket holders with no seat. No manager, no coaches, about 13 players left #SWFC @swfc #chansiriout
@tomswfc91: Surely that’s grounds for a refund for fans sat in that stand? They’ve paid for a seat they aren’t allowed to sit in due to the clubs fault #swfc
@LewisLegdon98: Meeting was held 18th July. It’s 29th July. First home game is 18 days away. No communication from the club. Our fans deserve better
@clurrrrxhx: I’m so angry, I’m actually EMBARRASSED to be a Sheffield Wednesday fan. All while a certain family who have caused all this are sunning it up in Italy… It’s going to have to get nasty for the sake of us trying to save our club #SWFC
@dan_lill: Feels like the end is nigh. Heartbreaking. 158 years, took 10 years for this dispicable prick to run us into the ground. Doesn’t feel like we’re far off rock bottom. #swfc
