THE Wanderers’ fan group, the Red and Black Bloc, could see its capacity at Pirtek Stadium doubled next season under plans for the venue’s upgrade.

The Northern Terrace, the RBB’s home section at Wanderers home games, will be remodelled to include so-called “safe standing” areas and be increased to a limit of 5000 under advanced planning.

The so-called “active support” end at the Parramatta venue is fully subscribed thanks to the RBB’s swelling numbers, but is among the first parts of the ground targeted by the $30 million upgrade, with more seats to be installed at the opposite end, lifting capacity to between 24,000-25,000.

Other, less visible areas to be redeveloped would be the dressing rooms and training facilities, with longer-term aims of increasing the capacity further and remodelling corporate function areas.

The “safe-standing” areas would be based on a design pioneered in Europe and used by a number of clubs in Germany’s Bundesliga.

There are still rows of seats installed, but the seats flip up and can be locked in place, creating instead rows of terraces that are divided by barriers to prevent any danger of fans getting crushed together.

News_Image_File: The ‘safe-standing’ fold-away seats used by some European clubs.

The RBB has been credited with the creation of a uniquely passionate atmosphere at Wanderers games, and Western Sydney chairman Lyall Gorman said it deserved to be allowed to grow.

“The safe-standing idea was a turning point for the Bundesliga which now has the largest average attendances in Europe,” Gorman said.

“It could change the dynamics of our support but also of the league, just as the RBB did in the first place. They have created the finest atmosphere at any regular sporting venue, but this could help them take it to another level again.

“If we can allow more people to be part of the active support area, that can only add to the effect of what they do.”

Defender Nikolai Topor-Stanley said the RBB’s “electric atmosphere” deserved to be expanded.

“It’s well known they’re some of the most passionate fans, if not the most passionate and loud fans, in the league and in sport in Australia,” he said.

“They create a wonderful and electric atmosphere. Every time we play it’s absolutely amazing to be a part of that and play in front of them.

News_Rich_Media: Tara Rushton and Mark Rudan preview the clash between Western Sydney Wanderers and Perth Glory.

“It’s great to see people’s passion for football coming out and especially that they’re all from different cultures, different backgrounds, different walks of life and they all come together for the one cause.

“So to be part of that and to have the opportunity to play in front of them is great and it’s an honour.

“They are single-handedly coming up with amazing things every game and it’s great they can represent the club and be something bigger and continue to do that.”

The Wanderers play their fifth game in 15 days today when they host Perth Glory, desperate to end a three-match winless streak in the A-League.

Topor-Stanley admitted that fatigue would be an issue after juggling commitments across the Asian Champions League and the A-League.

“Fatigue is going to be there, but mentally you have to deal with that,” he said. “We are quite fit and we’re physically well conditioned and that’s something we’re going to have to deal with.

“I’m sure we’re not the only people who are feeling fatigued in the league.”