Saturday saw footballing history as Shrewsbury Town FC became the first club in the EFL to bring Safe Standing to England and Wales. Mike Davies, Roger Groves, Helen Hall and CEO Brian Caldwell started the off the festivities on Friday night 3rd August 2018 ahead of the main event, hosting a launch party to begin the celebrations. In attendance were many supporters and organisations who had donated to make this new facility a reality, with Jon Darch of the Safe Standing Road Show attended the Friday night Launch.
Towards the end of the evening Brian Caldwell surprised both Mike and Roger by presenting them with an award from the football club in recognition of the hard work and long hours they have both put into the project to bring Safe Standing to EFL in England and Wales.
Then came the main event with the official launch of the new Safe Standing on Saturday 4th August and its first use of the area on a match day
Brian Caldwell spoke to guests of the Supporters Parliament before the match during the Official Launch saying "It is a momentous day for Shrewsbury Town Football Club, but for me, I am really proud of what we have achieved by the fans and the Supporters Parliament, especially the work by Mike & Roger and Chris as well to make sure that we got to this stage to be the first club in England and Wales to have a Safe Standing section".
Roger Groves of the Supporters Parliament followed Brian saying "Thank you to everyone across the football world, every Shrewsbury Town supporter who contributed towards it, & all here today and to our sponsors starting with club who have backed us from day one & it's been two years of a long, hard journey, but enjoyable as well, and I think Mike will reiterate that as well, but I would like pay special thanks to FansBet for supporting us and giving us the £10,000.00 donation to get us over the line".
Mike and Roger then cut the Blue and Amber ribbon announcing that the Shrewsbury Town FC Safe Standing section was officially open with applause from those in attendance.
To watch a great video on the Safe Standing Launch follow this link
https://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/2018/august/behind-the-scenes---safe-standing/
Here is the link to read Brian Caldwell's thoughts about the launch of Safe Standing
https://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/2018/august/shrewsbury-town-make-history/