Shrewsbury Town boss in 'come to the Meadow' call after MP's comments on safe standing 'racism'
The chief executive of Shrewsbury Town Football Club has challenged an MP - who claimed that safe standing at matches created a ‘real danger’ of racist abuse - to visit the Montgomery Waters Meadow and see the new system in action for himself.
Brian Caldwell was speaking after Barry Sheerman, MP for Huddersfield, said he had 'deep reservations' about standing at football games.
Sports minister Tracey Crouch said spectators had "evolved" since the introduction of all-seater stadiums.
During Digital, Culture, Media and Sport questions in the House of Commons, Mr Sheerman asked: "Is she aware that many of us have fought for years for family-friendly football, that some of us have deep reservation of standing areas where possibly a lot of young men who like to shout and sometimes shout racist abuse – I'm not saying all of them do.
"But there is a real danger here and Dean Hoyle, the wonderful owner of Huddersfield Town, has his reservations and so do I."
But Mr Caldwell said: "I can only assume from the comments that this MP has made that he is not a regular football supporter and does not have knowledge of safe standing.
"Celtic, who have had issues win the past with sectarian and offensive behaviour at some of their matches, have managed through safe standing to not only give their supporters choice but have ensured that by working with the supporters in the safe standing area in a regular dialogue have totally improved the behaviour at matches.
"I would assume that this MP's comments are misguided and misjudged as football clubs have, in recent years, worked very hard to stamp out offensive behaviour and do not tolerate racism.
"Perhaps once we have safe standing at Shrewsbury Town he may wish to come and see for himself how it improves the atmosphere and gives choice to the fans."
Work to install 555 rail seats at the rear of the Salop Leisure South Stand, at Montgomery Waters Meadow, is expected to take between 10 days and two weeks to install. The work is set to begin on May 17 and is due to be completed by next month, in time for the Lionel Richie concert on June 13.
It will make Shrewsbury Town the first club in England and Wales to add ‘rail seats’ to their stadium in a bid to improve safety.
