Shrewsbury Town F.C.
 |
|||
| Full name | Shrewsbury Town Football Club | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Salop, The Shrews, The Blues, | ||
| Founded | 1886 | ||
| Ground |
Greenhous Meadow, (Capacity: 9,875) |
||
| Chairman | Roland Wycherley | ||
| Manager | Graham Turner | ||
| League | League Two | ||
| 2009–10 | League Two, 12th | ||
|
|||
 Current season |
|||
Shrewsbury Town Football Club is an English football club based in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, who play in League Two, the fourth 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. For the vast majority of their history they played at the Gay Meadow, but since 2007 have been located at the Greenhous Meadow.
Contents |
History
Early history
Shrewsbury Town were formed in May 1886, indirectly following the demise of 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. 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 d 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 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 to the old Division 3 (North) of the Football League in 1950, after being Midland League champions in 1949-50.
The club was promoted back to the Football League in 2004 at the first attempt, when they won the Conference play-off final. They had been relegated into the conference national from what was then the Third Division (fourth tier) in 2003. In 2006-07, they reached the first play-off final at the new Wembley Stadium, losing 3-1 to Bristol Rovers. Shrewsbury qualified once again for the fourth tier play-off final at Wembley in 2008-09, but lost 1-0 to Gillingham.
Stadiums
Racecourse Ground, Monkmoor 1886-1889 Town's first proper ground hosted 51 matches over 3 years. The majority of these were friendlies as Town were not members of any league. The first game at the Racecourse Ground was a 5-2 victory over Wellington on 16 October 1886.
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. February 1890 saw town's record ever league win which was 18-0 against Wellington. 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
97 years, over 3,000 matches, 3rd and 4th tier championships, 5 time Welsh Cup winners, league Cup semi finals, Football league trophy semi finals, play off semi finals, a full conference season, 10 years in the 2nd tier and huge cup shocks. This ground saw it all but was demolished in 2007.
The Greenhous Meadow, Oteley Road, Meole Brace 2007–present
State of the art stadium opened 17 July 2007 4-0 win Vs A-line allstars featuring Gianfranco Zola. Has seen one playoff semi final during its short history and hosted Manchester City, England under 19's and the full England Women's team. Record Victory at this ground is 7-0 vs Gillingham, 13 September 2008. Record Attendance for a Shrewsbury Town match is 8,429 vs Bury, League 2 Play off semi final 1st leg, 7 May 2009. Ground Record attendance, 8,753 England v Spain (Women's International) European Championship Qualifier, November 25, 2007.
Football League history
Shrewsbury Town were elected to the Football League Division 3 North in 1950 following the decision to expand from 88 to 92 clubs. Shrewsbury were then promoted to the Third Division in 1958-59. They remained in the third tier 15 years, slipping back to Division Four at the end of 1973-74.
1960-61 season sure Shrewsbury Town reach the Semi Final of the League Cup. After beating Everton (then the biggest club in the country) in the Quarter Final they narrowly lost 4-3 on aggregate to Rotherham United. This era was also remembered for Arthur Rowley. He arrived from Leicester City in 1958, the club's first player/manager. During his playing and managerial career, he broke Dixie Dean's goal-scoring record, scoring his 380th league goal against Bradford City at Valley Parade on April 29, 1961. Retiring from playing in 1965 he remained manager until July 1968.
Shrewsbury were promoted to the Third Division in 1974-75 as runners-up, before another successful season in 1978-79, when they were league champions under Ritchie Barker and later Graham Turner. Over 14,000 fans packed Gay Meadow on May 17, 1979 to see Shrewsbury seal promotion with a 4-1 win over Exeter City. In addition, the club had an FA Cup run, which included a 2-0 win over Manchester City at Gay Meadow in the third round, eventually being beaten 4-1 at home by Wolverhampton Wanderers in a sixth round replay.
The most successful manager is Graham Turner, who won the Third Division Championship in 1978-79 - his first season in charge - and took the club into the Second Division for the first time. They remained for ten years, although Turner departed for Aston Villa in 1984.
1980s & 1990s
The club enjoyed some great times in the FA Cup in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Shrewsbury repeated their 1979 feat of reaching the quarter-final in 1981-82. The fifth round game was particularly memorable, as Shrewsbury were drawn to face UEFA Cup holders Ipswich Town for the second year (Ipswich previously winning 3-0 in a fifth round replay). Ipswich were one of Europe's top teams. Shrewsbury won 2-1 with goals from Steve Cross and Jake King, Mich D'Avray scoring for the visitors. Following this win, Shrewsbury faced Leicester City at Filbert Street in the quarter final. With the game 2-2 at half time, Shrewsbury were 45 minutes from a semi-final appearance, but Leicester, having used three goalkeepers and including a young Gary Lineker in their line up, eventually ran out 5-2 winners.
The 1980s are the golden age for Shrewsbury Town. Many big teams were defeated by Shrewsbury, whose period in the old Second Division coincided with some of the current Premiership clubs' darkest days. During the 1980s, Fulham, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea lost to Shrewsbury Town. Middlesbrough F.C. were defeated at Gay Meadow at the end of 1985-86, Shrewsbury winning 2-1, relegating Middlesbrough, who went out of business and almost out of existence. The match was marred by violence from Middlesbrough fans, with many Teessiders later having to return to Shrewsbury for court appearances.
In the early to mid-1980s the club enjoyed its most successful Football League run. Shrewsbury survived through the sale of players, with some to have played for Shrewsbury including Steve Ogrizovic, David Moyes, John McGinlay and Bernard McNally.
After a couple of relegation scares, Shrewsbury's Second Division life ended at the end of 1988-89 after ten years. As the 1990s dawned, the club were unable to make a quick return to the Second Division, spending the early 1990s mid-table. In the Third Division, on 22 December 1990, Gary Shaw scored the quickest Town hat trick - 4 minutes and 32 seconds - against Bradford City at Valley Parade. At the end of 1991-92, three years after relegation to the Third Division, the club was relegated to the Fourth — the first time since 1975.
However, two seasons later Shrewsbury won the new (fourth tier) Division Three championship under Fred Davies in 1993-94, and remained in Division Two (third tier) three seasons. Shrewsbury were not to rise any further, remaining mid-table before slipping down again at the end of 1996-97.
The 1990s saw Shrewsbury make their first appearance at Wembley as finalists in the 1996 Football League Trophy final. Shrewsbury lost 2-1 to Rotherham United; Nigel Jemson scoring both Millers goals.
The Wembley final was the beginning of the end for Fred Davies, sacked at the end of the 1996-97 relegation season. By this time, Shrewsbury were less of a force, heading to a stale period. Dwindling crowds meant Shrewsbury didn't have the finances to compete and it was in this backdrop that Jake King arrived, following a successful reign at local rivals Telford United. A successful Shrewsbury player during the 1980s, King was well regarded by fans and the chairman, businessman Roland Wycherley. For Wycherley, the priority was to assure Shrewsbury's financial future, before increasing the club's profile and finally to ensure the club's move to a new ground. King was forced to work on one of the smallest playing budgets in the league. He worked with the club's youth set-up, bringing in promising non-league players. However, with the pick of the transfer market finding better offers elsewhere, Shrewsbury were to see out the 1990s in mediocre fashion.
Kevin Ratcliffe era
In the 1999-2000 , Shrewsbury endured a poor season, with King being sacked in November as the club flirted with relegation. Former Everton captain and Welsh international Kevin Ratcliffe was appointed manager steered the club from relegation on the final day of 1999-2000. With the club facing relegation to the Conference, a 2-1 victory away to Exeter City kept the club in the league, after Carlisle United and Chester City both lost, Chester being relegated.
Ratcliffe worked on improving the side. Former youth team and reserve player Luke Rodgers emerged as a regular goal-scorer, and with big names arriving at Shrewsbury, the team looked on the up, narrowly missing the 2001-02 league playoffs despite 70 points.
At the start of 2002-03, Shrewsbury were on the up, with a youthful team strengthened by Ian Woan, Nigel Jemson and Mark Atkins. However, despite an encouraging start, league form suffered, including away defeats to Boston United, Rushden & Diamonds and Cambridge United, Town conceding 16 goals across the three matches as they remained in the bottom half of the table.
A sideshow was an FA Cup run. After dispatching non-league sides Stafford Rangers and Barrow A.F.C., Shrewsbury were at home to Everton in the third round. Town won in front of 7,800. A first-half free kick from Nigel Jemson gave Town the lead at the interval, however an equaliser from Niclas Alexandersson appeared to send the tie to a replay at Goodison Park. However, with minutes left, from a free kick by Ian Woan, Jemson heading in the cross to give Town 2-1 victory. For Shrewsbury fans, a notable point was the performance of Shrewsbury's Peter Wilding. A former Sunday League defender from local leagues, Wilding kept Wayne Rooney marked. Wilding was also one to escape criticism later.
Chelsea were the fourth round visitors, in a televised match on BBC's Match of the Day. Town lost 4-0, with Gianfranco Zola the man of the match.
A near capacity crowd of 7,950 turned up for Chelsea, but from then form disappeared. The team won just twice in the league thereafter. Jemson, who split opinions; was a scapegoat, (Jemson was once in an argument mid-match with a Shrewsbury fan), with Ian Woan another singled out, being booed off after being substituted in his final Shrewsbury appearance. That was against Carlisle United, a 3-2 defeat relegating Shrewsbury. Seven points adrift at the bottom and having conceded 92 goals, the club contemplated the end of their 53 years in the league. Following angry demonstrations from fans, Ratcliffe resigned, and Mark Atkins took temporary charge for the club final League game, a 2-1 defeat to Scunthorpe United, who were coincidentally the first League opponents for Shrewsbury Town back in 1950.
Conference days
After some speculation, Northwich Victoria manager Jimmy Quinn was appointed Shrewsbury manager in May 2003, with the aim of getting Shrewsbury promoted back to the Football League at the first attempt. For the first time in many years, Shrewsbury were seen as the 'big fish' in the league, with many experts predicting a league victory. With most of the previous year's players released, Quinn assembled a whole new squad, with experienced non-league players such as Darren Tinson and Jake Sedgemore being joined by Colin Cramb, Scott Howie and former League Cup finalist Martin O'Connor.
On the field, a new-look Shrewsbury side seemed to have the desire that the previous side lacked, but at times lacked consistency. Thrilling matches, such as a 4-1 home victory over Hereford United, were tempered by some embarrassing results, including a 5-0 away defeat to Dagenham & Redbridge and two away defeats to local rivals Telford United, both in the league and the FA Trophy. However, as the season went on, the side were able to grind out some decent results. The league title went to Chester City, but with 74 points, Shrewsbury finished third in the league, comfortably qualifying for the league playoffs, the first time the club had ever qualified for a playoff competition.
In the semi-finals, Shrewsbury faced Barnet over two legs. The opening leg at Underhill saw Shrewsbury lose 2-1, with Barnet scoring an injury time winner. Over 7,000 saw the return match at Gay Meadow, a match that was televised live on Sky Sports. Shrewsbury drew level on aggregate following a Luke Rodgers penalty. With the teams level after extra-time, Scott Howie saved a penalty from Barnet's Simon Clist, and Darren Moss scored the winning penalty, setting Shrewsbury for the Conference playoff final against Aldershot Town, at the neutral venue of the Britannia Stadium, home of Stoke City.
The final against Aldershot, on Sunday 16 May 2004 saw 19,216 fans visit the Britannia Stadium, two third of those being Shrewsbury fans making the short journey up the A53. In glorious sunny weather, the two teams played out a rather dull 1-1 draw, and after both teams blew their chance to win the match in injury time, the game went to penalties.
Striker Luke Rodgers, seemingly a banker to score a penalty stepped up, but inexplicably blasted his shot high over the bar. With Shrewsbury fans anxiously looking on, Shrewsbury goalkeeper Scott Howie earned himself a place in Shrewsbury folklore as he saved three consecutive Aldershot penalties. Shrewsbury converted their remaining penalties, defender Trevor Challis scored the winning penalty and began the celebrations, which began at Stoke, and continued in Shrewsbury for weeks. It may not have been glorious, but by sheer hard work, Shrewsbury were back in the Football League.
For many supporters, the Conference season splits opinion. Many remember it as somewhat of an exciting 'adventure', one of the few seasons in recent years where Shrewsbury have been one of the bigger teams in the league, plus a memorable final victory. Others however, whilst grateful of the success, see the Conference season as something of an embarrassment, feeling that the club should never have been relegated in the first place.
Return to Football League
Unfortunately for Shrewsbury, the optimism from the play-off final victory soon evaporated. An opening day 1-0 defeat to Lincoln City was an indicator of what was to come, as Shrewsbury were to flirt with the relegation places and were defeated in the FA Cup first round by Histon. In the eyes of most fans, Jimmy Quinn was not up to the job, and departed after just 14 league games, being replaced by former Preston manager Gary Peters. Peters came to Gay Meadow with a modest but at the same time impressive track record, including a spell as Preston manager during the mid 1990s, during which he signed David Beckham as a loan player. After nearly saving Exeter City from relegation in 2002-03, he resigned and was working as a scout for Everton before taking up the Shrewsbury job.
With the club seemingly on a downward spiral back to the Conference, Peters was able to stem the slide, and preserved Shrewsbury's football league status in the 2004-05 Coca-Cola League Two campaign. Since, Peters has looked to strengthen the side, transforming the side from one that was favourites for relegation in 2004-05, to one that are seen as realistic promotion candidates. Many pundits saw Shrewsbury as relegation favourites in the 2005-06 season, but despite a poor start, Peters was able to guide the team to a tenth place finish, narrowly missing the play-offs.
Off the field, Shrewsbury, for so long one of the smaller, least funded teams in the league, had cause to look to the future with optimism. The Shrewsbury Town board, headed by Roland Wycherley, was starting to see their policy of sound financial management pay off, with the club more solvent than many of its rivals. The recent FA cup run, subsequent fall-out from the Ratcliffe era and the solitary season in the Conference had galvanised local support, and attendances were on the increase.
And finally, after a drawn-out, and sometimes bitter planning process stretching as far back as 1999, Shrewsbury's plans to move ground came to fruition, as Wycherly ceremoniously cut the first sod of soil at the New Meadow in the summer of 2006.
Despite the departure of talented young goalkeeper Joe Hart to Manchester City, Shrewsbury entered the 2006-07 season as promotion hopefuls in their final year at Gay Meadow. However the home ground was to wreak havoc with the opening part of Shrewsbury's season, poor weather leading to the ground being flooded and several matches being called off. With several matches in hand due to the cancellations, the club were as low as 16th in the table by February 2007, but with the team going on an impressive 14 match unbeaten run, they were in play-off contention by the end of the season.
Following a 2-2 draw against Grimsby Town in the final League match to be held at Gay Meadow, Shrewsbury finished in seventh place and thus qualified for the play-offs. Shrewsbury faced Milton Keynes Dons over two legs, following a goalless draw at the Gay Meadow, they beat MK Dons 2-1 on their return fixture at the National Hockey Stadium, thus winning 2-1 on aggregate.
The team faced Bristol Rovers in the League Two play-off final on May 26, 2007 at the new Wembley Stadium in front of a League 2(4th tier) play-off final record crowd of 61,589. However, despite an early goal, Bristol Rovers were strong opponents and hit back with two first half goals. A late Sammy Igoe goal made it 3-1 to Bristol Rovers, sealing their victory.[1]
New Stadium
.jpg)
The club moved to the New Meadow stadium for the 2007-08 season. After an encouraging early start which began with a 4-0 win away to Lincoln City, Shrewsbury were amongst the league leaders, however a 4-3 home defeat to Rochdale started an alarming nosedive in form from which the side never recovered. Following pressure from supporters, manager Gary Peters left the club on 3 March 2008 by mutual consent. Paul Simpson was appointed as the new manager on a 3 year contract on 12 March, and was able to guide the club to an eventual 18th place finish in the league. On 21 July the club announced that it had secured a deal with kit manufacturer Prostar for the naming rights of the stadium, which saw the club's Oteley Road stadium officially re-named as 'The Prostar Stadium'.
The 2008/9 season saw Shrewsbury make a successful start, with the club running amongst the leading clubs in League Two. Home form was amongst the strongest in the Football League, with the team winning an unprecedented number of games with a high goal margin, including a 4-0 win over Macclesfield Town on the opening day of the season, and a record-equalling 7-0 league win over Gillingham, the team who would eventually beat them in the playoff final. Shrewsbury progressed to the latter stages of the Football League Trophy, following a 7-0 away win at Wycombe Wanderers, and 5-0 home win against Dagenham and Redbridge until going out in a penalty shoot out against league one's Brighton and Hove Albion. However the club's indifferent FA Cup form of recent years did not improve as they lost away to a non-league side for the second time in five years, being beaten 3-1 by Blyth Spartans in the first round.
Shrewsbury's league campaign during 2008/09 was hampered by a lack of wins away from home. Despite several encouraging performances, Shrewsbury's win at their opening away match, versus Exeter City was to be their only league victory away from home for eight months, until beating Rotherham United 2-1 at the Don Valley Stadium in April. The final day of the season saw Shrewsbury lying just outside the play-off places in eighth place, behind seventh place Dagenham and Redbridge, whom the club travelled to for their final league game of the season. A dramatic 2-1 victory saw Shrewsbury snatch the final play-off place at the expense of the plucky Daggers, in only their second season of league football.
Shrewsbury faced Bury in the play off semi finals, with a record crowd of 8,429 turning up for the opening home game, which saw Bury take a narrow 1-0 win thanks to a late own goal from ex-Shrewsbury defender Neil Ashton, who chipped the ball over goalkeeper Luke Daniels in a defensive-mix up.
Whilst Daniels was seen by some as the villain after the home leg, three days later he produced a man of the match performance as Shrewsbury progressed to their second play-off final in three years. Daniels saved a first-half penalty from Phil Jevons, however with time running out Kevin McIntyre scored a spectacular 88th minute volley to take the tie into extra time. Daniels was to keep Shrewsbury in the tie during extra-time as Bury tried to finish the game, with Shrewsbury's plight being made tougher after midfielder Steve Leslie was controversially sent off just seconds into extra time. However, with the scores 1-1 on aggregate, Shrewsbury were to convert all four of their spot-kicks in the penalty shootout, with Daniels making two saves to send Shrewsbury through 4-3 on aggregate.
Shrewsbury lost to Gillingham in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium on May 23 in front of 53,706, 1-0, with a goal in the 90th minute by Simeon Jackson which was seen as controversial because referee Clive Oliver gave a corner when video evidence showed it clearly wasn't.
On April 30th 2010 after a disappointing 2009-10 season Paul Simpson was dismissed as manager of Shrewsbury Town with two games remaining. Three Caretaker managers were installed for the remaining two games, reserve team manager Stuart Delaney, youth team coach David Hughes and former club captain Mike Jackson. Shrewsbury finished a measurable 12th after showing signs throughout the campaign of at least finishing in a play off spot.
The return of Graham Turner
On 11th June 2010, Graham Turner was installed as the successor to Paul Simpson. With such previous success as player and manager of Shrewsbury Town during there hey day of the late 1970's through to 1984, successes at both Wolverhampton Wanderers and then cash strapped Hereford United, as chairman and manager combined, Graham Turner sold Hereford United and returned to Shrewsbury Town. The vast majority of fans have welcomed this and foresee the good times returning. Turners first league game in charge the second time round was a convincing 3-1 victory over Bradford City in front of 6,993, and this was followed by a breathtaking comeback in the League Cup against League One Charlton Athletic, turning around a 3-0 deficit to win 4-3. Shrewsbury continued their winning streak by winning away at Macclesfield 1-0 with a goal from Matt Harold scoring in the 3rd minute.
Club colours
| 1982-86 | Link 51 |
| 1987-88 | Wem Ales |
| 1988-89 | Davenports |
| 1990-92 | Greenhous |
| 1992-95 | WSJ |
| 1995-97 | Greenhous |
| 1997-99 | Ternhill Communications |
| 1999-05 | RMW |
| 2005-07 | Morris Lubricants |
| 2007-09 | Greenhous Redhous (Away) |
| 2009- | Greenhous |
        |
| Home colours, 1890s. |
 |
| Home colours, 1978-1982. |
The club's colours have always featured blue. However, blue has not always been the most dominant colour. Early kits included blue and white stripes, quartered shirts and all-blue shirts, which were worn with either white or amber trim until 1978. In 1978 Shrewsbury's most famous kit was introduced - the blue and amber stripes, which they wore as they were promoted in successive seasons, up to the old second division (now the Football League Championship). This was the design famously seen in the movie This Is Spinal Tap.
The club was not loyal to the stripes for long, and in 1982 reverted to a blue shirt, then used a blue body with amber sleeves, later reverting to an amber body with blue sleeves. In 1987 the shirts radically changed to white shirts for four seasons before reverting to stripes in 1991-92. After a flamboyant abstract pattern on the shirts in 1992-93, Shrewsbury's kits have stayed mostly blue, with amber stripe(s) of some description evident since 1999.
The shirt sponsors have, since their introduction in 1982, all been local companies. The current shirt sponsor is a major local motor dealership network, Greenhous. The away strip is sponsored by Redhous, a property company forming part of the Greenhous group.
Rivals
Arguably the club's fiercest rivals are Wrexham. Traditionally, Walsall and Wolverhampton Wanderers were seen as the club's major rivals. In recent years rivalry has grown with near-neighbours Hereford United - the so-called 'A49 derby' - and with Chester City, following crowd difficulties at Chester's stadium during league match (2003-2004) when well over 2,000 Shrewsbury fans, some in different parts of the home sections appeared to come forward to the pitchside when a tannoy spokesmen asked "If there are any more Shrewsbury Town fans in the home section would you please come down to the perimeter so you can be appropriately relocated in the away section". Due to Wrexham's recent relegation, and Chester City's liquidation, a recent rivalry has developed with fellow League Two side Port Vale, located in neighbouring Staffordshire, after Vale were relegated to league Two in the 2007/08 season, with both clubs being well known for their large amounts of away support. Their first encounter in the 2008/09 season was a lively one, with Vale coming into the game having had six straight defeats prior. The fans eventually tried to get at eachother after a Shrewsbury equalizer made it 1-1, and the match led to an away pitch invasion after a contraversial added time winner from Vale's Marc Richards, which saw the ball deflect in off his chest as he lunged in to tackle Luke Daniels' save attempt. Many felt this was a foul and ultimately led to a badly injured face of Daniels. Every encounter since has been lively and has involved incidences with fans in and out of the football grounds. Shrewsbury have still yet to beat Port Vale, suffering two home defeats and managing two away draws in each season respectively. Port Vale are currently considered Salop's biggest rivals. Crewe Alexandra and Kidderminster Harriers are also popular away games, especially the former since their relegation to League Two in the 2008/09 season. Another fierce rivalry is the Shropshire Derby against A.F.C. Telford United which is annually contested in the Shropshire Senior Cup.
Stadium
The 2006-07 season was the last season at the club's old Gay Meadow ground, which had been home to the club for 97 years. The final league match at the Gay Meadow was a 2-2 draw against Grimsby Town on 5 May 2007. Shrewsbury Town qualified for the 2006-07 League 2 playoffs, and as a result the final competitive senior match was a 0-0 draw against MK Dons.
In 2007 the club moved to a newly-built stadium on the outskirts of Shrewsbury, which has a 10,000 all-seater capacity.
As of May 2010, the stadium's name was changed to the Greenhous Meadow due to a change in sponsors.
Players
Current squad
- As of 4 August 2010.
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
|
|
Notable former players
- See also Category:Shrewsbury Town F.C. players
Record holders
Former Town player Arthur Rowley is famous for being the Football League's all-time top goal-scorer, and holds the club's single-season and all time scoring records. Mickey Brown holds the club record for most appearances, accumulated during three spells.
Famous names
Several Shrewsbury players have gone onto, or came from prominent top-flight careers. These include current and former top-flight managers David Moyes, Gordon Lee, David Pleat and Gary Megson. International stars John McGinlay, Jimmy Quinn, Jimmy McLoughlin, Mickey Thomas, Carl Robinson and Neville Southall all spent time at Shrewsbury. Doug Rougvie won the Cup Winner's Cup with Aberdeen F.C. in 1983 and played for Shrewsbury later in the decade after a spell at Chelsea.
More recently, Premier League winner Mark Atkins spent later seasons of his career at Shrewsbury, as did Sheffield Wednesday's Nigel Jemson and former Nottingham Forest player Ian Woan. Coventry City stalwart Steve Ogrizovic was previously a Shrewsbury player. Two notable recent departees are local-born youth products, England goalkeeper Joe Hart and Wales midfielder David Edwards, both of whom have been capped at U21 and senior levels. Edwards has since gone on play in the Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers, while Hart was a regular first-team choice for Premier League side Birmingham City in the 2009–2010 season. Hart was also the third keeper in Fabio Capello's squad for the World Cup 2010 in South Africa.
Local players
In addition to Hart and Edwards, Shrewsbury have given opportunities to many young local players, who have forged successful professional careers. Bernard McNally was a local star in the 1980s, with two other local players, Kevin Seabury and Peter Wilding being fan favourites at the club in the 1990s. The latest Shrewsbury-born star at their home town club is Steve Leslie, who having successfully moved up from the club's youth academy, is attempting to break into the first team on a regular basis. Veteran striker Andy Cooke was born and raised in Shrewsbury, and supported the club as a boy, but forged his career elsewhere after being rejected as a trainee.
Cult heroes
In 2004, BBC's Football Focus ran polls to determine club's cult heroes, and Dean Spink was named as Shrewsbury's cult hero, ahead of Steve Anthrobus and Austin Berkley.[2]
Player records
- Most league goals in a season
38: Arthur Rowley (1958–59) - Most league goals in total
152: Arthur Rowley (1958–65) - Most league appearances
418: Mickey Brown (1986–91, 1992–94, 1996–2001)
Managerial history
|
|
Honours
- Welsh Cup winners 1891, 1938, 1977, 1979, 1984, 1985; runners up 1931, 1948, 1980
- FA Cup quarter finalists 1979, 1982
- Football League Cup Semi Finalists 1961
- Football League Trophy runners up 1996, area finalists 2003
- Football League Third Division (third tier) champions 1979
- Football League Third Division (fourth tier) champions 1994
- Football League Fourth Division (fourth tier) runners up 1975
- Football League Two (fourth tier) Playoff runners up 2007, 2009
- Football Conference (fifth tier)Playoff Winners 2004
- Midland League (fourth tier midlands) champions 1938, 1946, 1948
- Birmingham & District League(fifth tier midlands) champions 1923; runners up 1914, 1924, 1937
Play-off final, won on penalties in cullens first season. jeez he's some man for that. Yeah, but Moran brought them to second!
References
- ↑ "Bristol Rovers 3-1 Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. 2007-05-26. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6686951.stm. Retrieved August 29, 2007.
- ↑ "Shrewsbury's cult heroes". BBC Sport. 2004-09-04. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/football_focus/3598134.stm. Retrieved June 21, 2007.
- From Rats to riches, Mike Jones, ISBN 978-0-9548099-0-4
External links
- Shrewsbury Town FC Official Website
- Shrewsbury Town F.C. on BBC Sport: Club News – Recent results – Upcoming fixtures – Club stats
- The Official Supporters Club
- Shrewsbury Town Supporters Trust
|
|||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||