Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst: Opposition taunts are part of football
Town boss Paul Hurst reminded his Shrewsbury players that being taunted by opposition supporters is part and parcel of the game as Bradford edged to victory.
Unsavoury scenes at the end of the Montgomery Waters Meadow clash, including a pitch invasion by one spectator and Shrewsbury goalkeeper Dean Henderson being wound up by away supporters, greeted the final whistle as the Bantams secured three points yesterday.
Hurst and members of his squad were applauding the home crowd as Henderson, on-loan from Manchester United, appeared to react angrily to a section of the 1,100-strong away end.
Fortunately, Hurst was on the scene to help calm the 20-year-old shot-stopper.
And Hurst maintained that banter from the crowd is part of football, so long as it remains in good taste.
"The players have to understand that is part and parcel of being a footballer," said the boss.
"We take the plaudits when they come along.The opposition aren't going to exactly stand and clap you, that's not what it's about.
"I don't know if there was anything in it, I don't think there was. As long as it's all sort of banter then we have to live with that and not react.
"That was all. I was trying to get them away from any situation that might evolve – that's life.
"The bit that I don't like with it all is if anything is said back to fans it's the end of the world.
"I don't like that. If fans can criticise and shout things at me, if I turn around and shout something back – suddenly that's an issue.
"That's the bit I don't agree with but nothing happened thankfully. We've had a little chat about that as well."
