THE majority of Football League clubs have indicated they are interested in exploring the possibility of safe standing areas at matches following a recent consultation.

Currently standing areas are permitted in both League One and League Two but any team promoted to the Championship must convert any standing areas to seating by the end of their third season in the second tier.

A meeting held at Derby’s Pride Park stadium yesterday saw the Football League club’s presented with the findings of the consultation which asked four main questions.

1: Should The Football League approach the Minister for Sport to request that the 'all-seater' stadia requirements for Championship clubs be reviewed with a view to the re-introduction of standing accommodation?

2: Should the Football League approach the Sports Grounds Safety Authority to request that rail seating products be licenced in Football League grounds?

3: Should clubs be permitted to accommodate supporters standing in rail seating in the Championship?

4: Should clubs be permitted to revert from seating to standing accommodation in League 1 and League 2 following relegation from the Championship?

After the majority of responding clubs answered yes to each of the questions the Football League will now explore the matter further both with its clubs and the government.

Football League chief executive, Shaun Harvey, said: "The consultation has given us a better understanding of the wide range of views held by clubs on this issue and we will take our cue from the prevailing opinion.

"We recognise that this is both a complicated and sensitive matter that will need significant debate. Therefore, no-one should assume that it will lead to overnight change."