Shrewsbury Town F.C.
Full name | Shrewsbury Town Football Club Ltd. 1886 | ||
---|---|---|---|
Nickname(s) | Salop | ||
Founded | 1886 | ||
Ground |
New Meadow, Shrewsbury | ||
Capacity | 9,875 | ||
Chairman | Roland Wycherley | ||
Manager | Michael Jackson (caretaker) | ||
League | League One | ||
2012β13 | League One, 16th | ||
| |||
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 Greenhous Meadow) β a UEFA Category four stadium with a capacity of 9,875.
History
Early history
Shrewsbury Town were formed on 20 May 1886 at the Turf Hotel in Claremont Hill, Shrewsbury. This was following the demise of first Shropshire Wanderers and later indirectly after 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 1890β91, later admitted to the Birmingham & District League in 1895β96. Many of the teams Town faced in the early days have vanished, however Shrewsbury met many of todayβs 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.[1]
Shrewsburyβs Birmingham League days were mostly mid-table, with a few seasons challenging near the top, the club being league champions in 1922β23.
A move to the Midland Champions League in 1937β38 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 to the old Division 3 (North) of the Football League in 1950, after being Midland League champions in 1949β50.
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 2006β07, they reached the first play-off final at the new Wembley Stadium, losing 3β1 to Bristol Rovers. Shrewsbury qualified once again for the fourth tier play-off final at Wembley in 2008β09, but lost 1β0 to Gillingham. Shrewsbury secured promotion back to the third tier, now known as League One in 2011β12 by finishing the season in 2nd place.
Stadiums
- Racecourse Ground, Monkmoor 1886β1889
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 5β2 victory over Wellington Town on 16 October 1886 at the Racecourse Ground.
- Ambler's Field, Copthorne 1889β1893
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 18β0 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 1893β1895
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 1895β1910
Town played here for 15 years over 300 matches against more classier opposition of reserve teams like Aston Villa and Wolves. In 1909β10 they reached the first round of the FA Cup.
- Gay Meadow, Abbey Foregate 1910β2007
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.
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.[2]
- Greenhous Meadow, Oteley Road, Meole Brace 2007βpresent
A new stadium opened 17 July 2007, it features a 9,875 all-seater capacity in four separate stands for football.
Name | Capacity |
---|---|
Roland Wycherley | 2,893 |
West Stand | 3,302 |
South Stand | 1,900 |
North Stand | 1,780 |
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 4β0 win against A-line Allstars featuring Gianfranco Zola. The first league match at Greenhous Meadow was against Bradford City.
The stadium has hosted two Football League Two play-off semi-finals:
1β1 on aggregate (aet), Shrewsbury Town wins 4β3 on pens .Torquay United won 2β0 on aggregate.
Shrewsbury's record victory at this ground is 7β0 against Gillingham on 13 September 2008.
13 September 2008 15.00 |
Shrewsbury Town | 7β0 | Gillingham |
---|---|---|
Mike Jackson David Hibbert Benjamin Davies(2) Graham Coughlan Grant Holt Shane Cansdell-Sheriff |
Report |
The record attendance at the New Meadow is 9,510 v Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.
England under 17's, 19's 20's and the full England Women's team have all played at the stadium. Other notable teams to have played at Greenhous Meadow 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 Greenhous Meadow.
Football League history
Shrewsbury Town were elected to the Football League Division 3 North for 1950β51 following the decision to expand from 88 to 92 clubs. Shrewsbury were then promoted to the Third Division in 1958β59. They remained in the third tier 15 years, slipping back to Division Four at the end of 1973β74.
1960β61 season saw 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 4β3 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 29 April 1961. Retiring from playing in 1965 he remained manager until July 1968.
Shrewsbury were promoted to the Third Division in 1974β75 as runners-up, before another successful season in 1978β79, when they were league champions under Ritchie Barker and later Graham Turner. Over 14,000 fans packed Gay Meadow on 17 May 1979 to see Shrewsbury seal promotion with a 4β1 win over Exeter City.
In addition, the club had their best ever FA Cup run.
FA Cup 1st round, 25 November 1978 15:00 GMT |
Mansfield Town | 0β2 | Shrewsbury Town |
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Biggins, Atkins |
FA Cup 2nd round, 16 December 1978 15:00 GMT |
Doncaster Rovers | 0β3 | Shrewsbury Town |
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Chapman, Maguire (2) |
FA Cup 3rd round, 6 January 1979 15:00 GMT |
Shrewsbury Town | 3β1 | Cambridge United |
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Maguire, Turner, Chapman |
FA Cup 4th round, 27 January 1979 15:00 GMT |
Shrewsbury Town | 2β0 | Manchester City |
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Maguire, Chapman |
FA Cup 5th round, 20 February 1979 15:00 GMT |
Aldershot Town | 2β2 | Shrewsbury Town |
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Maguire, Tong |
FA Cup 5th round replay, 26 February 1979 19:30 GMT |
Shrewsbury Town | 3β1 | Aldershot Town |
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Biggins (2), Leonard |
FA Cup 6th round, 10 March 1979 15:00 GMT |
Wolverhampton Wanderers | 1β1 | Shrewsbury Town |
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Atkins (Pen) |
FA Cup 6th round replay, 13 March 1979 19:30 GMT |
Shrewsbury Town | 1β3 | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
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Keay |
The most successful manager is Graham Turner, who won the Third Division Championship in 1978β79 β 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 1981β82. 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 3β0 in a fifth round replay). Ipswich were one of Europe's top teams. Shrewsbury won 2β1 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 2β2 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 5β2 winners.
The 1980s saw many big teams defeated by Shrewsbury, whose period in the old Second Division coincided with some of the current Premier League clubs. During the 1980s, Fulham, Newcastle United, Blackburn Rovers, West Ham United and Chelsea lost to Shrewsbury Town. Middlesbrough were defeated at Gay Meadow at the end of 1985β86, Shrewsbury winning 2β1, relegating Middlesbrough, who went out of business and almost out of existence. The match was marred by violence from Middlesbrough fans, with many of them 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 1988β89 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 β 4 minutes and 32 seconds β against Bradford City at Valley Parade. At the end of 1991β92, three years after relegation to the Third Division, the club was relegated to the Fourth β the first time since 1975. However, two seasons later Shrewsbury won the new (fourth tier) Division Three championship under Fred Davies in 1993β94, 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 1996β97.
The 1990s saw Shrewsbury make their first appearance at Wembley as finalists in the 1996 Football League Trophy final. Shrewsbury lost 2β1 to Rotherham United; future Shrewsbury striker Nigel Jemson scoring both Rotherham goals.
The Wembley final was the beginning of the end for Fred Davies, sacked at the end of the 1996β97 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 1999β2000, 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 1999β2000. With the club facing relegation to the Conference, a 2β1 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 2001β02 league playoffs despite 70 points.
At the start of 2002β03, 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 2β1 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 4β0, 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 3β2 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 2β1 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 4β1 home victory over Hereford United, were tempered by some embarrassing results, including a 5β0 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 2β1, 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 1β1 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 1β0 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 2002β03, 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 2004β05 League Two campaign. Since, Peters looked to strengthen the side, transforming the side from one that was favourites for relegation in 2004β05, to one that were seen as realistic promotion candidates. Many pundits saw Shrewsbury as relegation favourites in the 2005β06 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 smallest and 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.[citation needed] 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,[3] Shrewsbury entered the 2006β07 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 2β2 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 2β1 on their return fixture at the National Hockey Stadium, thus winning 2β1 on aggregate. With Andy Cooke scoring both goals.
The team faced Bristol Rovers in the League Two play-off final on 26 May 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 3β1 to Bristol Rovers, sealing their victory.[4]
New Stadium
The club moved to the New Meadow stadium for the 2007β08 season. After an encouraging early start which began with a 4β0 win away to Lincoln City, Shrewsbury were amongst the league leaders, however a 4β3 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 renamed 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 4β0 win over Macclesfield Town on the opening day of the season, and a record-equalling 7β0 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 7β0 away win at Wycombe Wanderers, and 5β0 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 3β1 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 2β1 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 2β1 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 then record crowd of 8,429 turning up for the opening home game, which saw Bury take a narrow 1β0 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 1β1 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 4β3 on aggregate.
Shrewsbury lost 0β1 to Gillingham in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium on 23 May in front of 53,706, with a goal in the 90th minute by Gillingham's Simeon Jackson which was seen as controversial because referee Clive Oliver gave a corner when video evidence showed it clearly wasn't.
On 30 April 2010, after a disappointing 2009β10 season, Paul Simpson was dismissed as manager of Shrewsbury Town with two games remaining.[5] 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, even briefly challenging for the automatic spots around the New Year period. Coincidentally, performances in their last two games noticeably improved after Simpson's dismissal. Even with the absence of top-scorer Dave Hibbert during the games, the Town showed positive attacking football. A draw against Morecambe on 1 May would've even made the playoffs still mathematically possible, although taking into account other team results. The game ended in a 3β2 defeat after Kevin McIntyre's failed attempt to level it 3β3 in added time from the penalty spot. They went to local rivals Port Vale on the final day of the season and despite the circumstances, finished the season with relatively strong form. They managed a draw with Vale, the home side only managing to equalise from the penalty spot.
The Return of Graham Turner
With such previous success as player and manager of Shrewsbury Town during their heyday of the late 1970s through to 1984, at Wolverhampton Wanderers, and then at cash-strapped Hereford United as chairman and manager combined, Graham Turner returned to Shrewsbury Town, being installed as manager on 11 June 2010. He couldn't achieve automatic promotion though, and the club finished fourth at the end of the 2010β11 season. During the 2011β12 season Shrewsbury had two mini cup runs in both the League Cup and FA Cup. Their League Cup run saw them defeat Championship side Derby County 3β2 at Pride Park, and Premier League Swansea City 3β1 at Greenhous Meadow before being narrowly beaten 3β1 by the Premiership's Arsenal at The Emirates Stadium. The FA Cup run saw them dispatch Conference club Newport County and League 2 Rotherham United before being very narrowly beaten by 1β0 by the Championship's Middlesbrough at The Riverside Stadium. Furthermore, the club also went a year unbeaten at home finishing the 2011/12 season winning 1β0 over Dagenham and Redbridge from a James Collins header to achieve promotion to League One after 15 years in League Two, excluding spending the 2003β04 season in the Conference.
Return to the 3rd Tier
After a 15-year absence, Salop were finally promoted to League 1 with a game to spare, finishing in 2nd place after a home win against Dagenham and Redbridge. Despite the success, preparation for the new campaign started with concern, as five of Shrewsbury's players, all of whom were vital in Salop's promotion success and all also out of contract, were to leave in less than 2 months after sealing promotion, most only being offered 1 year contracts, which surprised many fans. This included keeper Chris Neal, centre back duo Shane Cansdall-Sheriff and (captain) Ian Sharps, central midfielder Nicky Wroe and 2011/12's 16-goal top goalscorer James Collins. However, Graham Turner was able to replace the departed players before pre season with some promising signings. This included experienced keepers Chris Weale from Leicester City and youngster Joe Anyon from Lincoln City, centre back Darren Jones from Aldershot, central midfielders Luke Summerfield (Cheltenham Town) and Asa Hall (Oxford Utd), utility and former Hereford duo Rob Purdie (Hereford Utd) and Paul Parry (Preston North End), Southampton youngster Ryan Doble (striker) and centre back Michael Hector on-loan from Reading.
Pre season, although naturally lacking the competition of league football, showed real promise for the new League 1 side. Shrewsbury showed great passing, movement on and off the ball and a solid defence, with stand out performances coming from the likes of Hector, Purdie (playing at left back), Summerfield and Parry (playing on the left wing).
The season itself wasn't to run quite as smoothly, and after a 4β0 hammering at Leeds Utd in the League Cup, Shrewsbury's 1st game back in the 3rd Tier was to also end in a narrow 1β0 away defeat to predicted promotion hopefuls Sheffield Utd, despite playing a very good game. Shrewsbury's first few months in League 1 were to be full of promising performances matched with inconsistent results. Beating Preston North End 1β0 at home matched their performances, whilst losing 3β2 to then top of the table Notts County away didn't. It soon became clear that after all the creative football, striker duo Marvin Morgan and Terry Gornell were not producing the goals needed at this higher level of football. As a result, Shrewsbury's form and passing game started to slip from the lack of points and wins, and Graham Turner's side also started to go through many changes game after game, most likely in the hopes of finding the right formula. Shrewsbury's defence were the next to suffer in form, which began leaking many goals. After the dropping, and eventual departure, of promising on-loan centre back Michael Hector, Darren Jones was to suffer greatly in form. Jones was to be paired with a number of different centre backs, this included Shrewsbury players Reuben Hazell and Jermaine Grandison, as well as loan signings Lee Collins (Barnsley) and Julian Bennett (Sheffield Wednesday), the former making many mistakes much like his partner Jones, the latter showing some more promising performances before returning to Wednesday due to injury. Shrewsbury's passing game also started to let them down, with the midfield finding it hard to link up with the strikers, most notably captain Matt Richards who had personally failed to match the form he showed in the season prior. As a result, by the turn of the year Shrewsbury found themselves hovering around the relegation places and still yet to clock up a single away win. Shrewsbury's form was to change considerably after knocking up there first away win on New Years Day against Coventry. This coincided with a noticeable improvement in defence, with youngster Connor Goldson finding form, promising performances from cetre back loan signings Rob Edwards (Sheffield Utd) and youngster Yado Mambo (Charlton Athletic), and a greater attacking threat with the signing and return of Shrewsbury legend Luke Rodgers and the rise in form of goalscoring winger Jon Taylor. The rest of Salop's League 1 campaign was to be blighted with inconsistency, in performances, tactics and results. Highlights included the introduction of Bolton loanee Tom Eaves. The 6'5 striker managed 6 goals in 10 games, which included an impressive hat trick at home to Crawley Town before being recalled by his parent club, most likely due to his performances. Shrewsbury ultimately managed to seal League 1 safety with two games to spare after a 1β0 win at home to Oldham Athletic.
Club colours
1982β86 | Link 51 |
1987β88 | Wem Ales |
1988β89 | Davenports |
1990β92 | Greenhous |
1992β95 | WSJ |
1995β97 | Greenhous |
1997β99 | Ternhill Communications |
1999-05 | RMW |
2005β07 | Morris Lubricants |
2007β09 | Greenhous Redhous (Away) |
2009β | Greenhous |
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 β 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 1991β92. After a flamboyant abstract pattern on the shirts in 1992β93, 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
Traditionally Walsall and Wolverhampton Wanderers have been seen as the club's major rivals. In more recent years rivalry grew with near-neighbours Hereford United β the so-called 'A49 derby' β and with Chester City, following crowd difficulties at Chester's stadium during a league match in season 2003β04 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". A rivalry developed with Port Vale, located in neighbouring Staffordshire, after Vale were relegated to League Two in the 2007β08 season. Their first encounter in the 2008β09 season was their first encounter for at least 30 years, with Vale coming into the game having had six straight defeats prior. The fans eventually tried to get at each other after a Shrewsbury equaliser made it 1β1, and the match led to an away pitch invasion after a controversial 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 incidents with fans in and out of the football grounds. From season 2008β09 to season 2010β11 Shrews only managed three points from six matches with Vale. However, Shrewsbury finally broke the Vale undefeated streak with a 2011β12 season double, even looking likely to take 3 points in a home game that was called off in the 65th minute. Shrewsbury were promoted to League 1 at the end of the season, while Port Vale finished mid-table.
Crewe Alexandra and Kidderminster Harriers have also been popular away games, especially the former since their relegation to League Two in the 2008β09 season. Another rivalry is the Shropshire Derby against AFC Telford United which is annually contested in the Shropshire Senior Cup, although owing to Telford's lower stature in footballing terms the rivalry is not reciprocated by Shrews' fans. A former rivalry with Wrexham is also less important, with Wrexham no longer being in the Football League, and the rivalries with Chester, Hereford and Kidderminster may go the same way for the same reason.
As of the 2012β2013 season, Shrewsbury Town will host and visit Walsall, meaning the rivalry can be resumed. Over recent years Shrewsbury and Walsall have only met in sporadic cup competitions, such as the Football League Trophy, and the rivalry hasn't been as intense as in previous league encounters. Given the two teams will now meet in the league a firmer rivalry is likely to be re-established.
Staff
- Chairman: R E Wycherley
- Directors: James Hughes
- President: Mal Starkey
- Manager: Michael Jackson (caretaker)
- Senior Coach: Vacant
- First Team Coach: Michael Jackson
- Goalkeeping Coach: Danny Coyne
- Kit Manager: Dave Ashlin / Pete Gittens
- Fitness Coach: Vacant
- Head of Youth: Bernard McNally
- Technical Youth Coach: Steve Reece
- First Team Physio: Christopher Skitt
- Secondary Physio: Scott Gormley
- Sport Scientist: Toby Griffiths
- Club Doctor: Jim Wental, Dr R Wilson
- Club Mascots: Lenny the Lion, Mrs Lenny
Players
Current squad
- As of 31 January 2014.
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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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, Michael Gulla (American footballer), 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 international levels. Edwards has since gone on play in the Premier League with Wolverhampton Wanderers and the Wales national team. Hart is currently first choice for Manchester City and is a regular in the England senior team.
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. 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. Tom Bradshaw is a recent Shrewsbury-born talent to have emerged from the Youth Team, and Mason Springthorpe of Everton transferred to the Premier League side, prior to making an appearance for the Shrews' for a figure in the region of Β£125,000 Several Shropshire-born youngsters now populate the new academy.
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.[6]
Managerial history
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Club records
- Record Attendance at Gay Meadow: 18,917 Vs Walsall, Third Division(3), 26 April 1961.
- Record Attendance at Greenhous Meadow: 9,510 Vs Wolverhampton Wanderers, League One, 21 September 2013
- Record Attendance for a Shrewsbury Town match: 61,589 Vs Bristol Rovers(at Wembley), League Two Playoff final(4), May 2007.
- Record Victory: 21β0 Vs Mold Alyn Stars, Welsh FA Cup 1st round, 27 October 1894.
- Record League Victory: 12β1 Hereford City, Shropshire & District League, 20 October 1894.
- Record Defeat: 0β13 Small Heath, Birmingham League, 25 December 1895.
- Most league goals in a season
38: Arthur Rowley (1958β59) - Most league goals in total
152: Arthur Rowley (1958β65) - Most league appearances
418: Mickey Brown (1986β91, 1992β94, 1996β2001)
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, fourth place (promoted) 1958β59
- Football League Two (fourth tier) runners up 2012; playoff runners up 2007, 2009; playoff semi-finalists 2011
- 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
- Shropshire and District League (fourth tier midlands west) runners up 1890/91.
References
- β "Shrewsbury Town History". Shrewsbury Town. 11 Jul 2007. Retrieved 11 January 2012.
- β Gentlemen of the River by Phyllis Blakemore. Stenlake Publishing ISBN 978-1-84033-473-9
- β "Man City complete Hart signature". BBC Sport (BBC). 24 May 2006. Retrieved 4 December 2011.
- β "Bristol Rovers 3β1 Shrewsbury". BBC Sport. 26 May 2007. Retrieved 29 August 2007.
- β "Paul Simpson". Shrewsbury Town official website. 30 April 2010. Retrieved 5 April 2011.
- β "Shrewsbury's cult heroes". BBC Sport. 4 September 2004. Retrieved 21 June 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 β Recent results β Upcoming fixtures β Club statistics
- [http://www.shrewsburytownosc.co.uk: The Official Supporters Club]
- Shrewsbury Town Supporters Trust
- Shrewsbury Town play-off record
- Shrewsbury Town Supporters Club Scandinavian Branch
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