Sheffield Wednesday set to re-open two main gates to home fans after council's "invalid" ban lifted

Sheffield Magistrates’ Court heard today, January 8, how the council ban at Leppings Lane was imposed due to safety concerns after crowd trouble at the Owls’s home game against Sheffield United in March, 2019, and it was brought in by the start of the 2019-2020 season.

But District Judge Naomi Redhouse’s finding that the notice was not clear and was therefore not valid means the ban is expected to be lifted and the court heard the council has no immediate plans to impose a fresh notice.

James Beer QC, representing SWFC, argued the prohibition notice was so poorly drafted and unclear about the exact areas of concern it was invalid with insufficient evidence of risk.

He said: “The notice has been declared to be invalid and it is plain to the club and the council this notice is defective.”

The court heard the notice did not clearly set-out the actual requirements the council intended to impose and it did not clearly specify the Leppings Lane entrance.

But the council argued the ban had been understood because the club had since complied with the notice.

District Judge Redhouse stressed regardless of any finding the council has the right to impose a fresh notice following any conclusion.

She said the notice had referred to the whole stadium and did not set out a prohibition specifically for the affected entrance and egress to the north and south stand at the Leppings Lane entrance.

District Judge Redhouse formally found the prohibition notice issued on July 25, 2019, as not valid.

She added that it would be just for the council to pay some of the club’s costs but this matter is to be resolved at a later date.

Mr Beer, QC representing SWFC, said he has been made aware the council does not intend to serve a further prohibition notice automatically and after discussions, such a notice may not be necessary.

He added: “The club looks forward to working constructively and conscientiously with the council.”