Shrewsbury Town F.C.

General

Kit history

Shrewsbury Town
Full name	Shrewsbury Town Football Club
Nickname(s)	Salop, The Shrews, The Blues, Town
Founded	1886
Ground	New Meadow (Capacity: 9,875)
Chairman	Roland Wycherley
Head Coach	Gareth Ainsworth
Current League	League One
2023–24	League One, 19th
Website	Club home page
Current season

Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English association football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire. The club participates in League One, the third tier of English football. The club was formed in 1886 and has played in all the bottom three divisions in various guises since being elected into the Football League in 1950. Since 2007, they have been located at the New Meadow (known for sponsorship purposes as the Montgomery Waters Meadow) – a UEFA Category four stadium with a capacity of 9,875.

History

Early history

Shrewsbury Town were formed in 1886, following the demise of first Shropshire Wanderers and later indirectly Castle Blues. The Blues were a rough team, leading to their demise after several games were marred by violence. The new team hoped to be as successful but without the notoriety. Press reports differ as to the date the new club was formed, The Eddowes Shropshire Journal of 26 May 1886 reported the birth of the club at The Lion Hotel, Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury. The Shrewsbury Chronicle reported the club's being formed at the Turf Hotel, Claremont Hill, Shrewsbury. It may be both accounts are true, with a get-together at The Lion being finalised at the Turf.

After friendlies and regional cup competitions for the first few seasons, Shrewsbury were founder members of the Shropshire & District League in 1890–91, later admitted to the Birmingham & District League in 1895–96. Many of the teams Town faced in the early days have vanished, however Shrewsbury met many of today's Football League and Conference teams, including Crewe Alexandra, Coventry City, Stoke City, Kidderminster Harriers and Stafford Rangers.

In 1910, Shrewsbury looked to move to a new ground, having spent early years at locations across the town, notably at Copthorne Barracks west of the town. The club moved to Gay Meadow on the edge of the town centre, within sight of Shrewsbury Abbey, and stayed 97 years.

Shrewsbury's Birmingham League days were mostly mid-table, with a few seasons challenging near the top, the club being league champions in 1922–23.

A move to the Midland Champions League in 1937–38 saw the club enjoy one of its most successful seasons, winning a league and cup treble. Shrewsbury were league champions, scoring 111 goals. In addition, the Welsh Cup was won following a replay, the team enjoyed a run in the FA Cup, and won the Shropshire Senior Cup.

After a run of good seasons in post-war years, Shrewsbury were admitted, alongside Scunthorpe United to the old Division 3 (North) of the Football League in 1950, after being Midland League champions in 1949–50, following the decision to expand from 88 to 92 clubs.

Players

Current squad

As of 12 January 2025

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK Toby Savin 2 DF Luca Hoole 3 DF Mal Benning 5 DF Morgan Feeney 6 DF Josh Feeney (on loan from Aston Villa) 7 MF Carl Winchester (captain) 9 FW George Lloyd 12 MF Funso Ojo (on loan from Port Vale) 13 GK Joe Young 14 MF Taylor Perry

No. Pos. Nation Player 16 DF Aaron Pierre 17 MF Alex Gilliead 18 FW Tom Bloxham 19 MF Leo Castledine (on loan from Chelsea) 22 DF Aristote Nsiala 23 DF George Nurse 26 MF Jordan Shipley 27 FW John Marquis 29 MF Tommi O'Reilly (on loan from Aston Villa) 31 GK Jamal Blackman

Out on loan

No. Pos. Nation Player MF Roland Idowu (at St. Mirren until the end of 2024–25 season) FW Max Mata (at Auckland until the end of 2024–25 season) 8 MF Harrison Biggins (at Carlisle United until the end of 2024-25 season) 4 DF Jordan Rossiter (at Oldham Athletic until the end of 2024-25 season)

Stadiums

Racecourse Ground, Monkmoor 1886–1889

Town's first ground hosted 51 matches over 3 years. The majority of these were friendlies as Town were not members of any league. Their first game was a 5–2 victory over Wellington Town on 16 October 1886 at the Racecourse Ground.

Ambler's Field, Copthorne 1889–1893

Town spent 4 seasons here and they were founder members of the Shropshire and District League started in 1890. 22 February 1890 saw town's record victory which was 18–0 against Wellington Town (Bowdler 8, Phasey 3, Rowlands 2 Gosson 3 Aston and Murphy). Town played 44 times at this ground.

Sutton Lane, Sutton Farm 1893–1895

Town played 47 times in 2 seasons at this ground and when they moved from here, they also moved up to the Birmingham League. This ground is now allotments.

Barrack's Ground, Copthorne 1895–1910

Town played here for 15 years over 300 matches against more classier opposition of reserve teams like Aston Villa and Wolves. In 1909–10 they reached the first round of the FA Cup.

Gay Meadow, Abbey Foregate 1910–2007

For many years, Shrewsbury coracle maker Fred Davies achieved some notability amongst football fans, by a unique service he and his coracle provided. He would sit in his coracle during Shrewsbury Town home matches, and retrieve any stray footballs that went into the River Severn. Although Davies died long ago, his legend is still associated with the club.

New Meadow, Oteley Road, Meole Brace 2007–present

A new stadium opened 17 July 2007, it features a 9,875 all-seater capacity in four separate stands for football.

Stands of The Montgomery Waters Meadow

Name	Capacity
Roland Wycherley Stand (East)	2,741
Assist Group Stand (West)	3,300
Salop Leisure Stand (South)	1,955
DM Recruitment Stand (North) (visiting supporters)	1,796

Capacity for concerts at the stadium is 17,000.

The ground has conference facilities, a function area, snack bars, licensed bars, a club shop and a restaurant. Within the stadium confines are training facilities for the club and a 5-a-side football complex which is run by Powerleague.

The first match at the stadium was 4–0 win against A-line Allstars featuring Gianfranco Zola. The first league match was against Bradford City.

Shrewsbury's record victory at this ground is 7–0 against Gillingham on 13 September 2008 in League Two play.

13 September 2008 15:00	Shrewsbury Town	7–0	Gillingham	New Meadow, Shrewsbury Attendance: 5,319 (364 away) Referee: C Sarginson (Staffordshire)
	Mike Jackson David Hibbert Benjamin Davies (2) Graham Coughlan Grant Holt Shane Cansdell-Sherriff	Report

The record attendance at the New Meadow is 10,210 v Chelsea in the 2014–15 Football League Cup.

28 October 2014 19:45	Shrewsbury Town	1–2	Chelsea	New Meadow, Shrewsbury Attendance: 10,210 (1,720 away) Referee: Neil Swarbrick
	Andrew Mangan 77'	Report	Didier Drogba 48' Jermaine Grandison 81' (og)

England under 17's, 19's 20's, 21's and the full England Women's team have all played at the stadium. Other notable teams to have played there include Premier League sides Manchester City, West Bromwich Albion, Fulham and Stoke City. A Manchester United XI appeared in a pre-season friendly against Shrewsbury Town on 17 July 2011

Concerts On Sunday 12 June 2011 one of the world's most internationally recognised musical artists Elton John took to the stage at the stadium in front of an audience of 17,000 to mark the first concert at the New Meadow.

Supporters and rivalries

The club gains the majority of its support from Shrewsbury itself and surrounding areas. Supporter groups exist, however, in other Shropshire towns such as Telford, Church Stretton, Oswestry and Market Drayton. There are also a fair amount of Welsh supporters, with large numbers of support coming from the Welshpool area, and to a lesser extent, Newtown and Montgomery. There is a namesake club called Shrewsbury Town playing in a local Milan league in Italy, set up by an expat supporter.

The club's main rival is considered by supporters to be the one with cross-border rivals Wrexham. In 2015, the A49 derby against Hereford United was ranked 19th in The Daily Telegraph's Twenty fiercest rivalries in English football. Since the demise of Hereford United, the phoenix club, Hereford, have not met Shrewsbury in a competitive fixture, making the rivalry one of less importance in recent years. This is similar to the old rivalry with Chester City and the new club Chester. Other rivalries exist with Walsall, Port Vale and, to a lesser extent, Wolverhampton Wanderers. A county rivalry is competed against AFC Telford United, known as the Shropshire derby.

External links

• Official website