Sky Bet League One Supporter Of The Year awards for Safe Standing achievement
The EFL Awards have been announced for 2019 and Shrewsbury Town have won an award in the Supporter Of The Year awards for the Sky Bet League One.
Roger Groves and Mike Davis have won the award for their work with the Supporters Parliament to bring Safe Standing to the Montgomery Waters Meadow.
Roger and Mike came to the club with the idea of Shrewsbury Town to become the first club in England and Wales to install a safe standing area and they achieved that goal.
The award from the EFL is in recognition for this moment in the EFL’s history that paves the way for other clubs to install safe standing areas.
Each year the EFL ask clubs to nominate in a number of categories and we felt that Roger and Mike’s achievements needed to be recognised, and the EFL agreed.
Roger and Mike now go into the overall vote for the EFL Supporter of the Year with Audrey Baker of Brentford and Frank Grande of Northampton Town.
Shrewsbury Town CEO Brian Caldwell thinks the award is just reward for their achievements.
“It is superb news that Roger and Mike have been recognised for their achievements to being safe standing to English and Welsh clubs.
“They worked tirelessly on this project with the Supporters Parliament and the club and it has been great to see the safe standing area up and running this season.
“It is great that the EFL have recognised this work and the impact it will have on all EFL clubs in the future.
“Roger and Mike working with the Supporter Parliament and the club has been a real positive and there are many achievements that have been made which have helped to bring the club and it’s supporters closer together.”
ShrewsWeb caught up with Roger Groves for a quick word on the award and he is overwhelmed that Mike and him have been recognised in such a way.
“All I can say is I am absolutely delighted to have won this award”, said Roger.
“Whilst it is Mike and I who have our names out there, this project would not have happened without the support of many many other supporters and also the continued support from our football club.
“This isn’t about me or Mike it’s about Shrewsbury Town football club and I’m immensely proud to receive this award for the work that went on behind the scenes to allow us to become the first club in England and Wales to introduce dual purpose seating.
“When we first took the idea to Brian, we had no idea what lay ahead, the media interest and the positivity this project has created is fantastic and it just shows what can be achieved if we all work together.”