Paul Hurst: Install safe-standing as soon as possible
Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst would like to see safe-standing installed ‘as soon as possible’ to further boost the atmosphere at the Montgomery Waters Meadow.
Town have now reached their £62,500 fundraising target to potentially become the first club in England and Wales to have rail seating.
They hope to have it in place before the end of the season, once they receive the necessary safety certification.
“I think the atmosphere has certainly improved, and it should when things are going really well,” said Hurst.
“I think safe-standing – and maybe it’s a generational thing, I certainly went to games and stood up.
“Sometimes it was a bit difficult to see, probably still would be now for me!
“It’s great, it naturally gets people going and I am sure some people crave that.
“However it is divvied out, I am sure there will be quite a few people who will want to be in that safe-standing area – to take part in that.”
He added: “We welcome it, it is something the club looked to do and I’m delighted we got to the amount we needed to.
“I don’t know what the time frame is with it but it would be great to get it in as soon as possible.”
Meanwhile, Hurst has praised striker Carlton Morris for having the right mindset and taking his chance when it arrived – scoring and providing an assist in the 4-0 trouncing of Bristol Rovers on Tuesday night.
He was handed a start, in place of top scorer Stefan Payne, after a positive contribution as a substitute at Plymouth Argyle this past weekend.
Morris received a standing ovation when Payne replaced him in the second half against the Pirates.
“I am pleased with Carlton. He earned his start from coming on and having a good impact at the weekend (at Plymouth),” said Hurst.
“The weekend before, I had a little bit of a dig at him – I didn’t think he did enough when he came on at Walsall.
“In fairness, he has knuckled down and that’s the response you want.”
Hurst is glad his honest approach worked with the Norwich City loanee, adding: “It can go one of two ways, you can sulk – which ultimately does not help me or the team, or the player who will hopefully carve out a very good and long career.
“That’s what you want (for him to respond). I only go with my gut, and honesty.”
