Fans flock back to Shrewsbury Town as club welcomes social distanced support

Up to 2,000 fans were allowed into the Montgomery Waters Meadow ground to watch the League One match against Accrington Stanley - a fraction of the 10,000 capacity crowd number.

It was only the second time since March that the ground has been allowed to have spectators, with a limited number of spectators now permitted in areas under Tier 2 restrictions, like Shropshire.

Fans were almost rewarded with a victory, but endured late heartbreak with Accrington scoring a late equaliser to ensure the game ended 2-2.

The last time supporters were allowed inside the Montgomery Waters Meadow was for the pilot match against Northampton in September.

One of those delighted to have the fans back in the ground was Ryan Jervis, who mans the tannoy in the stadium. He has still been doing his volunteer role for the club but said it was a very strange experience.

Watch fans have their say on their return to the Meadow:

The lifelong Shrewsbury Town fan said fans were a vital part of football.

"Thank goodness we’ve got people back into the stadium," he said.

"I have for weeks now been talking to myself, no reactions from the terraces when we score, concede or the referee makes a mistake.

"I have even got off Scot free when I’ve given the wrong goal scorer or pronounced a name incorrectly. The atmosphere has been very sterile, football means very little without a crowd."

Guy Fitzgerald, who has learning difficulties, was an early arriver at the ground and said he was really looking forward to the match.

It was a very different atmosphere for the fans.

Food was limited to catering outside and supporters entered through the corner of the ground rather than the traditional turnstiles.

And with fewer fans and more stewards on duty to ensure people maintained social distancing the club is not expecting to make money from the evening.