Shropshire Star

Shropshire Star end of season survey results: Shrewsbury Town fans love safe-standing – but hate fighting drop

The introduction of safe-standing at Shrewsbury Town has won the support of fans – with four in five hailing it a good addition to the Montgomery Waters Meadow.

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The Shropshire Star’s end-of-season Town fans’ survey revealed 80 per cent of the hundreds of fans who took part were in favour of the move which saw the club become the first Football League club in England to introduce rail seating.

However, matters on the pitch proved far less positive with 86 per cent saying they were unhappy with Town’s final league position after their battle to avoid relegation from League One.

They finished 18th in their fourth consecutive season in the division.

Some 82 per cent said the appointment of John Askey as Paul Hurst’s replacement last summer had been a mistake and 65 per cent felt avoiding relegation should not be viewed as a success.

Fans were split on current boss Sam Ricketts after six months in charge.

A slight majority (51 per cent) were pleased with Ricketts’ December appointment, while 54 per cent of responders said the boss had done a good job.

Ricketts said he had achieved the primary objective in avoiding relegation.

But Town fans who took part in the vote expect a better season next term as their side enter its fifth term on the spin in the third tier.

Sixty-six per cent of the 500 supporters who voted felt finishing inside the top half would be considered successful next season.

Twenty-nine per cent added that a play-off finish would constitute success, while just two per cent said finishing in League One’s bottom half would be a successful season.

Sam Ricketts (AMA)

On the playing front, loan midfielder star Greg Docherty won 66 per cent of the votes for player of the season and 90 per cent as best loan player. Fans were split on the position Ricketts most needs to address this summer, with 32 per cent voting goalkeeper and 37 per cent voting attack, while more than nine-tenths of fans want to keep James Bolton at the club.

Forty-two per cent of Town fans understood the decision to allow club captain Mat Sadler to leave, though 58 per cent said they ‘would have kept him’ or were ‘unhappy’ with the move.

Dave Edwards’ return pleased 33 per cent of fans while 26 per cent felt it was a risk.

Eighty-seven per cent of fans are happy with chairman Roland Wycherley and high percentages praised the matchday experience.

Almost 90 per cent said they were happy with ticket prices.