NEWS
First English football club applies for ‘safe standing’ permission
POSTED 27 Jun 2017 . BY Matthew Campelli
Shrewsbury Town's stadium is a 10,000-capacity all-seater ground Credit: Dave Howarth/PA Archive/PA Images
The stadium belonging to League One football club Shrewsbury Town could be the first all-seater stadium in England in install a ‘safe standing’ enclosure.

All-seater New Meadow has only been open for 10 years, but the club has made clear its intention of becoming “the pioneers of safe standing” by being the first to formally do so.

The move comes after the Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA) created a formal process whereby clubs could seek approval for the installation of rail seating.

If the plans are given the green light by the SGSA, a crowdfunding campaign will be started to fund the installation.

Shrewsbury Town’s Supporters Parliament instigated the move. Their vision is to have 500 standing places out of the stadium’s current 10,000 capacity.

“There is a clear demand from our fans for an area where they can stand safely,” said Supporters Parliament joint-chair Roger Groves.

“Rail seats will ensure that nobody falls over no matter how wildly they celebrate a goal and, by having a dedicated standing area, we believe that the overall atmosphere in the stadium will also be enhanced.”

Brian Caldwell, Shrewsbury Town chief executive, added: “We see it as an enhancement to our spectator safety and a welcome provision of supporter choice.”
RELATED STORIES
  Premier League club open to ‘safe standing’ trial


West Bromwich Albion (WBA) has become the first Premier League football club to officially declare its interest in creating a standing area for supporters at its home ground.
  Political parties lay out sports plans ahead of 2017 General Election


Manifestos launched by the major political parties ahead of the 2017 General Election have set out their stalls on sport and physical activity policy, with a Commonwealth Games bid and ‘safe standing’ at football grounds a possibility after the 8 June vote.
  Government ‘remains unconvinced’ by merits of safe standing


The UK government has poured cold water on the possibility of allowing safe standing areas within Premier League football grounds, claiming that it “remains unconvinced” of its safety credentials.
  Football Supporters’ Federation backs West Ham’s safe standing plans


A football supporters’ group with 500,000 members has backed a proposal made by West Ham United chair David Gold to create safe standing zones within the club’s Olympic Stadium.
 


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27 Jun 2017

First English football club applies for ‘safe standing’ permission
BY Matthew Campelli

Shrewsbury Town's stadium is a 10,000-capacity all-seater ground

Shrewsbury Town's stadium is a 10,000-capacity all-seater ground
photo: Dave Howarth/PA Archive/PA Images

The stadium belonging to League One football club Shrewsbury Town could be the first all-seater stadium in England in install a ‘safe standing’ enclosure.

All-seater New Meadow has only been open for 10 years, but the club has made clear its intention of becoming “the pioneers of safe standing” by being the first to formally do so.

The move comes after the Sports Ground Safety Authority (SGSA) created a formal process whereby clubs could seek approval for the installation of rail seating.

If the plans are given the green light by the SGSA, a crowdfunding campaign will be started to fund the installation.

Shrewsbury Town’s Supporters Parliament instigated the move. Their vision is to have 500 standing places out of the stadium’s current 10,000 capacity.

“There is a clear demand from our fans for an area where they can stand safely,” said Supporters Parliament joint-chair Roger Groves.

“Rail seats will ensure that nobody falls over no matter how wildly they celebrate a goal and, by having a dedicated standing area, we believe that the overall atmosphere in the stadium will also be enhanced.”

Brian Caldwell, Shrewsbury Town chief executive, added: “We see it as an enhancement to our spectator safety and a welcome provision of supporter choice.”



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