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First English football club applies for ‘safe standing’ permission
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.”