Supporters' parliament delight as Shrewsbury Town attempt to fill the generation gap
Supporters’ Parliament chairman Roger Groves hailed Shrewsbury Town’s attempts to attract a lost generation of youngsters to the footballclub.
Groves lauded the work of Town chief executive Brian Caldwell in response to last week’s announcement of 2018/19 season ticket prices.
Shrewsbury revealed under-12s will go free and a ‘young adult’ category age will be extended to include 23-year-olds.
The supporters’ group chairman added the move in the right direction had been ‘brought to life’ by comments from Caldwell on how the club are willing to attract young people and how they gauge prices. He also suggested that, while adult and senior prices will rise for the first time in five years, the prices were very competitive, particularly for a club that could be playing in the Championship.
“Myself and some of the die-hard Town fans have talked about this lost generation in the past,” said Groves.
“I think this is a really positive move to get that category of people in.
“It’s a move in the right direction. It recognises we’ve got to get the young people in and keep them in. Our prices are very competitive and we’ve marketed it in the right way.”
Groves, who alongside supporters’ parliament colleague Mike Davis meet regularly with Caldwell, added: “Brian has done as much as he can.
“He’s trying to gauge as much as he can and, for me, he just keeps going. He’s very driven and passion about it – and likes to understands different people’s views about it.He’d done as much as he could to get under-8s in this season but to extend that is great. It’s a big move to get it to under-12s. “What else can the club do? What’s better than giving it for free?The whole announcement has been good.”
They’ve brought it to life with the commentary Brian gave with it. It’s softened it and made people understand it.”
Last year the supporters’ parliament and club agreed to bring safe-standing to Shrewsbury Town later this year, becoming the first club in England and Wales to implement the idea. The group is also looking at avenues to help roar Paul Hurst’s high-flying side over the line to promotion this season.Groves said: “Mike and I hope to meet Brian this week and ask what we can do to get a rally cry going before the end of the season?
“Let’s get some positive news stories out there.”
