Four Women’s Championship clubs will take part in a new pilot scheme beginning in January to allow fans to drink alcohol in the stands.

Bristol City, Southampton, Birmingham and Newcastle will take part in the scheme for either four or five matches in the second half of the season.

In the selected games, supporters at Ashton Gate, St Andrew’s, Kingston Park and St Mary’s will be able to consume alcohol in view of the pitch.

Drinking in sight of the pitch is currently banned in the top five tiers of the English men’s game, but the legislation does not cover the women’s game.

Chief executive of Women’s Professional Leagues Limited (WPLL) Nikki Doucet confirmed that trials would be taking place back in October.

“We are testing that in a couple of teams in the Championship this season and we’ll see what we learn from that,” said Doucet.

“I think our fan base and the behaviour is different (to the men’s game), and I think ultimately it’s about being able to give our fans choices, while obviously maintaining the safety and what we need to do in terms of being responsible.”

The first games in the trial will be Bristol City’s match against London City Lionesses and Southampton facing Sunderland, both on 19 January.

A week later on 26 January, it will be the turn of Birmingham and Newcastle to test the scheme in home fixtures against Bristol City and Portsmouth respectively.