David Longwell gives his thoughts on the new lockdown measures for the Academy.
Town Academy Manager David Longwell was disappointed to learn certain age groups of Town’s Academy would be placed into the national four-week lockdown.
Dispite Shrewsbury Town being classified as an ‘elite sports’ organisation, Town’s category three academy were forced to shut down the younger age groups of the program.
Longwell spoke of his frustration with the decision and hopes to see a resolution for Town's young footballers.
On the decision:
“Obviously there is a lockdown going on now. The EFL and other footballing bodies had to get permission from the Government for football to continue. There is a rule that if you’re classed as elite sports, you can continue. Our under-18’s and 16’s can continue but unfortunately underneath that has had to stop.
“It’s dubious because we are classed as a category three academy and we follow the exact same COVID protocols as any club higher than us - at category one and category two. Those higher up have all been allowed to continue so it’s caused a bit of a ripple with a lot of clubs. To be fair to the EFL, they’re in full agreement with us and they have gone back to the Government.
“We’ve also contacted our local MP to try and get some support. It’s not a fair decision. What we do as a football club from the COVID point of view is better than a lot of clubs. It’s unfair on the players. We respect the fact it’s a national lockdown but we have proved we are following safety protocols.”
