The Football League has launched a new campaign, for the 2008-2009 season, aimed at encouraging even more families to attend matches at the Prostar Stadium.

The 'Enjoy the Match' campaign aims to ensure parents can take their children to matches in a family friendly environment. It will focus on removing abusive language and aggressive behaviour from family areas.

Shrewsbury Town will proactively steward family areas and display prominent signage discouraging anti-social behaviour.

In the run-up to the new season, Paul Simpson and his players have underlined their support by signing a pledge board which will be displayed in the family area of the ground. We encourage supporters to show their support for the campaign by signing the online pledge at www.enjoythematch.co.uk.

Town manager Paul Simpson said 'I think it is a good idea because I do think that it has got a little bit out of hand over recent years, the swearing and abuse that goes onto towards the players and staff in the dugouts.

"The players are doing the respect campaign where they do the handshakes on the pitch and I think it's important that the fans embrace that as well.

"We want to encourage families, children and girls to come to matches and I think if we can cut out the abuse and aggression that has been shown on the terraces then hopefully that will encourage more to come."

This is a great initiative for the supporters and we at Shrewsbury Town are very pleased to be involved. 'Enjoy the Match' will help to provide a positive family atmosphere at the Prostar Stadium and our Family Stand is seeing more and more youngsters coming through the turnstiles.'

The Football League is supporting the campaign with a range of club guidance & resources, matchday programme ads, viral video and a promotional campaign.

Enjoy the Match has been introduced following a 'mystery shopper' exercise staged at all 72 League grounds last season. This exercise revealed that swearing formed a key negative impression on families at 46% of the 144 games assessed. In launching 'Enjoy the Match' Football League Chairman, Lord Mawhinney, said:

'Young supporters will be the lifeblood of our clubs in years to come. It is therefore vitally important that we encourage more parents to bring their children into our grounds by creating a vibrant, family friendly atmosphere at all matches.'