Shrewsbury Town F.C.

{{short description|Association football club in England}} {{hatnote group| {{redirect|Shrewsbury Town|the town|Shrewsbury}} {{For|the Victorian-era club|Shrewsbury F.C. (1868)}} }} {{Use British English|date=May 2012}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}} {{Infobox football club | clubname = Shrewsbury Town | upright = 0.8 | current = 2025–26 Shrewsbury Town F.C. season | image = Shrewsbury Town F.C. logo.svg | fullname = Shrewsbury Town Football Club | nickname = {{ubl|The Shrews|Salop| The Town}} | founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1886|05|20}} | ground = [[New Meadow]] | capacity = 9,875 | chairman = [[Roland Wycherley]]  | manager = [[Gavin Cowan (footballer)|Gavin Cowan]] | mgrtitle = Manager | league = {{English football updater|ShrewsbT}} | season = {{English football updater|ShrewsbT2}} | position = {{English football updater|ShrewsbT3}} | website = {{URL|http://www.shrewsburytown.com/}} | pattern_la1 = _shrewsbury2425h | pattern_b1 = _shrewsbury2425h | pattern_ra1 = _shrewsbury2425h | pattern_sh1 = | pattern_so1 = _shrewsbury2425hl | leftarm1 = | body1 = | rightarm1 = | shorts1 = 0000FF | socks1 = 0000FF | pattern_la2 = _shrewsbury2425a | pattern_b2 = _shrewsbury2425a | pattern_ra2 = _shrewsbury2425a | pattern_sh2 = _shrewsbury2425a | pattern_so2 = | leftarm2 = FFFFFF | body2 = FFFFFF | rightarm2 = FFFFFF | shorts2 = FFFFFF | socks2 = FFFFFF | pattern_la3 = _shrewsbury2425t | pattern_b3 = _shrewsbury2425t | pattern_ra3 = _shrewsbury2425t | pattern_sh3 = _whitesides | pattern_so3 = _shrewsbury2425tl | leftarm3 = 007179 | body3 = 007179 | rightarm3 = 007179 | shorts3 = 007179 | socks3 = 007179 }} '''Shrewsbury Town Football Club''' is a professional [[association football]] club based in [[Shrewsbury]], Shropshire, England. The team currently competes in {{English football updater|ShrewsbT}}, the fourth tier of the [[English football league system]].

Founded in 1886, the club were inaugural members of the Shropshire & District League in 1890 and then joined the [[West Midlands (Regional) League|Birmingham & District League]] five years later. Crowned champions in 1922–23, they switched to the [[Midland Football League (1889)|Midland League]] in 1937 and won the Midland League title in 1937–38, 1945–46 and 1947–48. Shrewsbury were admitted into the [[English Football League|Football League]] in 1950 and won promotion out of the [[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] at the end of the 1958–59 season. They were promoted again in 1974–75 after being relegated the previous year, and went on to win the [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] title in 1978–79. They returned to the fourth tier following relegations in 1989 and 1992, where they won another league title in 1993–94. The club lost in the [[1996 Football League Trophy Final|1996 Football League Trophy final]] and dropped into non-League football after suffering relegations in 1997 and 2003.

Shrewsbury immediately regained their Football League status after winning the [[2004 Football Conference play-off Final|2004 Conference play-off final]]. They subsequently lost [[EFL League Two|League Two]] play-off finals in [[2007 Football League Two play-off Final|2007]] and [[2009 Football League Two play-off Final|2009]] before they won automatic promotion in [[2011–12 Football League Two|2011–12]] and again in [[2014–15 Football League Two|2014–15]] after relegation in the previous season. They finished as runners-up in the [[2018 EFL Trophy Final|2018 EFL Trophy final]] and [[2018 EFL League One play-off Final|2018 League One play-off final]].

The club plays its home games at [[New Meadow]], having moved from the [[Gay Meadow]] in 2007. They have won the [[Shropshire Senior Cup]] a record 67 times and are the only club from the county to ever play in the Football League.

==History== {{main|History of Shrewsbury Town F.C.}}

===Early history=== {{See also|List of Shrewsbury Town F.C. seasons}} [[File:The Lion Hotel Shrewsbury - geograph.org.uk - 1745301.jpg|thumb|Some reports indicate the club being founded at The Lion Hotel]] The first club in the town was the [[Shrewsbury F.C. (1868)|Shrewsbury Football Club]], founded in 1868,<ref>{{cite book | last = Alcock | first = Charles | author-link = Charles W. Alcock | title = The Football Annual | publisher = Cricket Press | date = 1879 | location = United Kingdom | page = 105 }}</ref> which in the 1877–78 football season won both the [[Birmingham Senior Cup]] and [[Shropshire Senior Cup]], and was captained by [[John Hawley Edwards]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Warsop|first=Keith|title=The Early F.A. Cup Finals and the Southern Amateurs, A Who's Who and Match Facts 1872 to 1883|year=2004|publisher=SoccerData|page=79|isbn=1-899468-78-1}}Sketch on John Hawley Edwards.</ref> It disbanded in around 1880.

The present Shrewsbury Town were formed in 1886, following the demise of first [[Shropshire Wanderers F.C.|Shropshire Wanderers]] and later indirectly [[Shrewsbury Castle Blues F.C.|Castle Blues]]. Press reports differ as to the exact 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 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 in English football|1890–91]], later admitted to the [[West Midlands (Regional) League|Birmingham & District League]] in [[1895–96 in English football|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 F.C.|Crewe Alexandra]], [[Coventry City F.C.|Coventry City]], [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]], [[Kidderminster Harriers F.C.|Kidderminster Harriers]] and [[Stafford Rangers F.C.|Stafford Rangers]].

In 1910, Shrewsbury looked to move to a new ground, having spent early years at locations across the town, notably near [[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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Shrewsbury Town History |url=http://www.shrewsburytown.com/page/History/0,,10443,00.html |publisher=Shrewsbury Town |date=11 July 2007 |access-date=11 January 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120223182510/http://www.shrewsburytown.com/page/History/0,,10443,00.html |archive-date=23 February 2012 }}</ref>

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 in English football|1922–23]].

A move to the [[Midland Football League (1889)|Midland League]] in [[1937–38 in English football|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 in English football|1949–50]], following the decision to expand from 88 to 92 clubs.

===Football League history=== Elevation to the football league in 1950 saw the club play one season in the Northern section of the third division, followed by a further seven in the Southern section, this before they became founder members of the newly formed fourth division in 1958–59, gaining immediate promotion as runners-up to [[Mansfield Town F.C.|Mansfield Town]] at the first attempt. Shrewsbury gained their first promotion, to the [[Football League Third Division|Third Division]], in [[1958–59 in English football|1958–59]]. They remained in the third tier 15 years, slipping back to Division Four at the end of [[1973–74 in English football|1973–74]].[[File:Shrewsbury Town FC League Performance.svg|225px|thumb|Chart of yearly table positions of The Shrews in the Football League.]]

1960–61 season saw Shrewsbury Town reach the Semi Final of the [[League Cup]]. After beating [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] in the quarter-finals, they narrowly lost over two legs 4–3 on aggregate to [[Rotherham United]]. This era was also remembered for [[Arthur Rowley]]. He arrived from [[Leicester City F.C.|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 A.F.C.|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 [[1974–75 in English football|1974–75]] as runners-up, before another successful season in [[1978–79 in English football|1978–79]], when they were league champions under [[Richie Barker (footballer, born 1939)|Ritchie Barker]] and later [[Graham Turner]]. Over 14,000 fans packed [[Gay Meadow]] on 17 May 1979 to see Shrewsbury seal promotion with a 4–1 win over [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]]. In addition, the club beat First Division [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] 2–0 in an FA Cup run that saw them reach the quarter-finals for the first time, before they lost in a replay to [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]].<ref name="facup">{{cite book |last1=Collett |first1=Mike |title=The Guinness Record of the FA Cup |date=1993 |publisher=Guinness |isbn=0-85112-538-7 |pages=417}}</ref> Turner is the team's most successful manager, winning the Third Division Championship in 1978–79 – his first season in charge – to take the club into the [[Football League Second Division|Second Division]] for the first time.<ref name="guardian" /> They remained in the division for ten years, although Turner departed for [[Aston Villa F.C.|Aston Villa]] in 1984.<ref name="steps" /> Shrewsbury again reached the FA Cup quarter-finals in [[1981–82 in English football|1981–82]], defeating the [[UEFA Cup]] holders [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] in the fifth round before losing 5–2 away to [[Leicester City F.C.|Leicester City]].<ref name="facup" />

The 1980s saw many big teams defeated by Shrewsbury, including [[Fulham F.C.|Fulham]], [[Newcastle United F.C.|Newcastle United]], [[Blackburn Rovers F.C.|Blackburn Rovers]], [[West Ham United F.C.|West Ham United]] and [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]]. Shrewsbury beat [[Middlesbrough F.C.|Middlesbrough]] 2–1 at Gay Meadow at the end of the [[1985–86 in English football|1985–86 season]] to relegate their opponents, 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, including [[Steve Ogrizovic]], [[David Moyes]], [[John McGinlay]] and [[Bernard McNally]]. They were relegated at the end of 1988–89 after ten years. In the Third Division, on 22 December 1990, [[Gary Shaw (footballer, born 1961)|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 in English football|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 in English football|1993–94]], and remained in Division Two ''(third tier)'' for three seasons.

The 1990s saw Shrewsbury make their first appearance at [[Wembley Stadium (1923)|Wembley]] as finalists in the 1995–96 [[Football League Trophy]] final. They lost 2–1 to [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]], with future Shrewsbury striker [[Nigel Jemson]] scoring both Rotherham goals. Shrewsbury remained a mid-table team before slipping down to the bottom division again at the end of [[1996–97 in English football|1996–97]]. Davies was sacked in May 1997 to make way for the former club captain [[Jake King (footballer, born 1955)|Jake King]] to return to the club where he began his career, following a successful reign at local rivals [[Telford United F.C.|Telford United]].

===Relegation from the Football League=== [[File:Shrewsbury Town Loggerheads Crest.png|200px|thumb|Loggerheads emblem used by the club between 1993 and 2007]] In [[1999–2000 in English football|1999–2000]], Shrewsbury endured a poor season, and in mid-November 1999 King was sacked as the club neared relegation. The former [[Everton F.C.|Everton]] captain and Welsh international [[Kevin Ratcliffe]] joined from [[Chester City F.C.|Chester City]] as manager and saved Shrewsbury from relegation on the final day of the season with a 2–1 victory away to [[Exeter City F.C.|Exeter City]]. The season was known as the 'Great Escape'.<ref>{{cite web |title=From the archives: Town's 'Great Escape' |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2012/04/26/from-the-archives-towns-great-escape/ |website=Shropshire Star |access-date=24 November 2024 |date=26 April 2012}}</ref> Subsequently Town made steady progress with [[Luke Rodgers]] emerging as a regular goalscorer, and they narrowly missed the [[2001–02 in English football|2001–02]] league play-offs after a final-day defeat to [[Luton Town F.C.|Luton Town]].

The [[2002–03 in English football|2002–03]] season saw Shrewsbury enjoy an FA Cup run. After dispatching non-league sides [[Stafford Rangers F.C.|Stafford Rangers]] and [[Barrow A.F.C.|Barrow]], they hit the headlines when [[Nigel Jemson]] struck twice to beat Everton 2–1 at Gay Meadow in the third round in front of 7,800 spectators.<ref>{{Cite news |title=FA Cup archive: Shrews shock Everton |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/fa_cup/2607229.stm |access-date=24 November 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last1=Porter|first1=Steve|title=Shrewsbury Town 2–1 Everton|url=http://www.thegiantkillers.co.uk/2003shrewsbury.htm|website=thegiantkillers.co.uk|access-date=5 May 2016}}</ref> Watched by a near-capacity crowd of 7,950, Town lost 4–0 in the fourth round to [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] in a match televised on BBC's ''[[Match of the Day]]'', with [[Gianfranco Zola]] scoring twice.<ref>{{cite web |title=Chelsea tame Shrews |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/fa_cup/2671835.stm |website=BBC Sport |access-date=24 November 2024 |date=11 February 2003}}</ref> The side's form then disappeared, and they picked up just two further wins as they were relegated from the Football League after 53 years.<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Rollin |editor1-first=Glenda |editor2-last=Rollin |editor2-first=Jack |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2003-2004 |date=2003 |publisher=Headline| page=342-5}}</ref> Following angry demonstrations from fans, Ratcliffe resigned, and [[Mark Atkins (footballer)|Mark Atkins]] took temporary charge for the club's final League game, a 2–1 defeat to [[Scunthorpe United F.C.|Scunthorpe United]], who coincidentally had been Shrewsbury's first League opponents in 1950.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shrewsbury 1-2 Scunthorpe |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_3/2976537.stm |website=BBC Sport |access-date=24 November 2024 |date=3 May 2003}}</ref>

The [[Northwich Victoria]] manager [[Jimmy Quinn (Northern Ireland footballer)|Jimmy Quinn]] was appointed Shrewsbury's manager in May 2003. 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]] joined by [[Colin Cramb]], [[Scott Howie]] and former League Cup finalist [[Martin O'Connor (footballer)|Martin O'Connor]]. The league title went to Chester City, but with 74 points, Shrewsbury finished third and defeated [[Barnet F.C.|Barnet]] on penalties in the play-off semi-finals to set up a [[Conference National Playoff Final 2004|final]] against [[Aldershot Town F.C.|Aldershot Town]], at [[Stoke City F.C.|Stoke City]]'s [[Britannia Stadium]].<ref>{{cite book |editor1-last=Rollin |editor1-first=Glenda |editor2-last=Rollin |editor2-first=Jack |title=Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2004-2005 |date=2004 |publisher=Headline| page=627-8}}</ref> After a 1–1 draw, Shrewsbury's goalkeeper [[Scott Howie]] saved three consecutive Aldershot penalties in another penalty shoot-out, and the defender [[Trevor Challis]] scored the winning kick.<ref>{{cite web |title=Shrews secure promotion |url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_conf/3713971.stm |website=BBC Sport |access-date=24 November 2024 |date=16 May 2004}}</ref>

===Return to the Football League=== [[File:STFC - New Meadow (Aerial).jpg|thumb|[[New Meadow]]]]

Quinn departed 14 league games into the [[2004–05 in English football|2004–05 season]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Quinn quits as Shrewsbury manager|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/shrewsbury/3944415.stm|access-date=15 May 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=22 October 2004}}</ref> and was replaced by the former [[Preston North End F.C.|Preston North End]] manager [[Gary Peters (footballer)|Gary Peters]], who preserved Shrewsbury's Football League status in League Two. Meanwhile, the club had unearthed two talented local players in [[Joe Hart]] and [[David Edwards (footballer, born 1986)|David Edwards]], who both went on to become experienced internationals.

Despite the departure of their goalkeeper Hart to [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Man City complete Hart signature|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_city/5006544.stm|publisher=BBC|work=BBC Sport|date=24 May 2006|access-date=4 December 2011}}</ref> Shrewsbury went on a 14-match unbeaten run in the [[2006–07 in English football|2006–07 season]]. Following a 2–2 draw against [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]] in the final League match to be held at Gay Meadow, they finished in seventh place to qualify for the play-offs, where they defeated [[Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|Milton Keynes Dons]] in the semi-finals. The team lost to [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] in the final on 26 May 2007 at the new [[Wembley Stadium]] in front of a record crowd for any fourth-tier game of 61,589.<ref>{{Cite news| title=Bristol Rovers 3–1 Shrewsbury |work=BBC Sport | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_3/6686951.stm | access-date=29 August 2007 | date=26 May 2007}}</ref>

The club chairman [[Roland Wycherley]] had cut the first sod of soil at Shrewsbury's [[New Meadow]] ground in the summer of 2006 and club moved permanently for the [[2007–08 in English football|2007–08 season]]. Peters left the club on 3 March 2008 by mutual consent,<ref>{{cite news|title=Shrews part company with Peters|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/shrewsbury/7275224.stm|access-date=15 May 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=3 March 2008}}</ref> and his replacement, [[Paul Simpson (footballer)|Paul Simpson]], led the club to an 18th-place finish in the league. After the season, the kit manufacturer Prostar earned the naming rights of the stadium.

The [[2008–09 in English football|2008–09 season]] saw Shrewsbury reach the play-offs again, after they beat [[Dagenham and Redbridge F.C.|Dagenham and Redbridge]] on the final day of the season. They beat [[Bury F.C.|Bury]] 4–3 on penalties in the semi-finals, with [[Luke Daniels]] making two saves to send Shrewsbury through, but lost 1–0 to [[Gillingham F.C.|Gillingham]] in the play-off final, with a goal in the 90th minute by Gillingham's [[Simeon Jackson]]. On 30 April 2010, after a disappointing [[2009–10 in English football|2009–10]] season, Simpson was dismissed with two games remaining.<ref>{{cite news | title=Paul Simpson | url=http://www.shrewsburytown.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10443~2039515,00.html | publisher=Shrewsbury Town official website | date=30 April 2010 | access-date=5 April 2011 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404231727/http://www.shrewsburytown.com/page/NewsDetail/0,,10443~2039515,00.html | archive-date=4 April 2012 }}</ref>

Graham Turner returned to Shrewsbury Town as manager in June 2010.<ref name="guardian">{{cite news|title=Graham Turner returns to Shrewsbury as manager|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2010/jun/11/graham-turner-shrewsbury-manager|access-date=15 May 2015|work=The Guardian|agency=Press Association|date=13 June 2010}}</ref> The club finished the [[2010–11 in English football|2010–11 season]] in fourth place, missing automatic promotion by one point. They lost 2–0 on aggregate in the play-off semi-final to [[Torquay United F.C.|Torquay United]]. In the [[2011–12 in English football|2011–12 season]] they finished second on 88 points, and beat Dagenham & Redbridge 1–0 with a [[James Collins (footballer, born 1990)|James Collins]] header in the penultimate game of the season to achieve promotion to League One after a 15-year absence. Shrewsbury also enjoyed a notable run in the League Cup, beating [[Derby County F.C.|Derby County]] at [[Pride Park Stadium|Pride Park]] and Premier League [[Swansea City A.F.C.|Swansea City]], before losing 3–1 to [[Arsenal F.C.|Arsenal]] after James Collins headed them in front at the [[Emirates Stadium]].

Shrewsbury exceeded expectations in the [[2012–13 in English football|2012–13 season]] and sealed League One safety with two games to spare by beating [[Oldham Athletic F.C.|Oldham Athletic]] 1–0, finishing 16th. The first half of the following season was disappointing, and Turner quit in January<ref name="steps">{{cite news|title=Shrewsbury Town: Graham Turner steps down as manager|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/25833662|access-date=15 May 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=21 January 2014}}</ref> and relegation was confirmed after a 4–2 home defeat against [[Peterborough United]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Shrewsbury 2–4 Peterborough|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/27084208|access-date=15 May 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=26 April 2014}}</ref>

===Recent history===

In May 2014 the ex-[[Fleetwood Town]] boss [[Micky Mellon]] was appointed manager. Town were promoted back to League One on 25 April 2015 with a 1–0 victory away to [[Cheltenham Town F.C.|Cheltenham Town]] via [[Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro]]'s goal.<ref>{{cite news|title=Cheltenham 0–1 Shrewsbury|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/32362680|access-date=2 May 2015|work=BBC Sport|date=25 April 2015}}</ref> Mellon left for [[Tranmere Rovers F.C.|Tranmere Rovers]] in October 2016, and was replaced by the [[Grimsby Town F.C.|Grimsby Town]] manager [[Paul Hurst]], with Shrewsbury bottom.<ref>{{cite news|title=Paul Hurst leaves Grimsby to become the new manager at Shrewsbury Town|url=https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/oct/24/paul-hurst-leaves-grimsby-new-manager-shrewsbury|access-date=13 November 2016|work=The Guardian|date=24 October 2016}}</ref> In 2017–18, Hurst led Shrewsbury to the [[2018 EFL Trophy Final|EFL Trophy Final]], which they lost to [[Lincoln City F.C.|Lincoln City]]. He also led the team to the [[2018 EFL League One play-off Final|League One play-offs]], but they lost to [[Rotherham United F.C.|Rotherham United]] after extra time. Hurst left to join [[Ipswich Town F.C.|Ipswich Town]] on 30 May 2018.<ref>{{Cite web | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44272857 | title = Paul Hurst: Ipswich Town name Shrewsbury boss as Mick McCarthy's successor| work = BBC Sport | access-date = 30 May 2018 | date = 30 May 2018 }}</ref> He was replaced by former Macclesfield boss [[John Askey]], who was sacked in November 2018 having won just five of their opening 21 games.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/44329878 |title=John Askey: Shrewsbury Town appoint Macclesfield Town boss as manager |work=BBC Sport |date=1 June 2018 |access-date=1 June 2018}}</ref> His successor, [[Sam Ricketts]] was appointed manager in December.<ref name="shrewsburytown.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/2018/december/sam-ricketts-announced-as-first-team-manager/|title=Sam Ricketts Announced As First Team Manager|website=Shrewsburytown.com|access-date=17 March 2021}}</ref>

A highlight of the [[2019–20 Shrewsbury Town F.C. season|2019–20 season]] was a fourth round [[2019–20 FA Cup|FA Cup]] tie against the European champions [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]], which Shrewsbury drew 2–2.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51208528 |title=Shrewsbury Town 2-2 Liverpool: Jason Cummings scores twice in fightback |author=Neil Johnston |work=BBC Sport |date=26 January 2020 |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref> Town narrowly lost the replay 1–0 at [[Anfield]] in front of an attendance of 52,399.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/51380211 |title=Liverpool 1-0 Shrewsbury Town: Absent Jurgen Klopp 'delighted' with FA Cup win |work=BBC Sport |date=5 February 2020 |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref> However, following disruption to the season in March 2020 due to [[Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on association football|COVID-19]], final [[2019–20 EFL League One|League One]] standings were decided on a [[points per game]] basis with Shrewsbury finishing in 15th place.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/efl-confirms-cancellation-of-league-one-and-two-season/3k0fbpw44s7c1n0at9zy1aqh5 |title=EFL confirms cancellation of League One and Two season |publisher=Goal |date=9 June 2020 |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.skysports.com/league-1-table/2019 |title=League One Table & Standings - 2019/20 |publisher=Sky Sports |accessdate=26 April 2021}}</ref> In November 2020, Ricketts was sacked with Shrewsbury in 23rd place and was replaced by [[Steve Cotterill]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/55101053 |title=Steve Cotterill appointed as new Shrewsbury Town manager |work=BBC Sport |date=27 November 2020 |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref> He helped Shrewsbury to a five-year high of 12th place in 2023, then stepped down in June 2023 and was replaced by [[Matthew Taylor (footballer, born 1981)|Matt Taylor]], who lasted less than seven months as manager.<ref name="BBC-21Jan2024">{{cite news |title=Matt Taylor: Shrewsbury sack head coach after poor run |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/68049718 |access-date=22 January 2024 |work=BBC Sport |date=21 January 2024}}</ref> On 24 January 2024, the club confirmed the reappointment of Paul Hurst as head coach.<ref name="STFC-24Jan2024">{{cite web |title=He's back! Paul Hurst appointed Shrewsbury Town head coach |url=https://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/2024/january/club-statement--paul-hurst/ |website=Shrewsbury Town FC |access-date=24 January 2024}}</ref> Paul Hurst was sacked in October 2024 and was replaced by Gareth Ainsworth, who himself left in March 2025, and was replaced by Michael Appleton. They were relegated to League Two for the first time in ten years after results elsewhere. In February 2026 [[Gavin Cowan (footballer)|Gavin Cowan]] replaced Appleton with the club two points from the relegation spots. Cowan then took The Shrews on a run of 19 points from 27 to put the club on the brink of safety and retaining their football league status.

==Stadiums== ===Racecourse Ground=== The Racecourse Ground was used in [[Monkmoor]] between 1886 and 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, Shropshire|Copthorne]] 1889–1893 Town spent 4 seasons at Ambler's Field, [[Copthorne, Shropshire|Copthorne]] between 1889 and 1893. Here 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 Sutton Lane, [[Sutton Farm]] and when they moved from here, they also moved up to the Birmingham League. This ground is now allotments.

===Barracks Ground=== Town played at Barracks Ground, Copthorne for 15 years, over 300 matches between 1895 and 1910 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=== [[File:Gay Meadow main stand.jpg|thumb|Gay Meadow, shown here in 2006]] {{Main article|Gay Meadow}}

Shrewsbury played at [[Gay Meadow]], [[Abbey Foregate]] between 1910 and 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.<ref>{{cite book |last=Blakemore |first=Phyllis |title=Gentlemen of the River |date=2009 |publisher=Stenlake Publishing |isbn=978-1-84033-473-9}}</ref>

===New Meadow=== {{Main article|New Meadow}}

A new stadium was opened in July 2007 on Oteley Road, [[Meole Brace]]. It features a 9,875 all-seater capacity in four separate stands for football.<ref name="NewMeadow">{{cite news|url=https://www.shrewsburytown.com/club/our-stadium/ |title=Our Stadium |website=Shrewsbury Town FC |access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" |+ Stands of New Meadow |- ! Name !! Capacity |- | Roland Wycherley Stand ||2,741 |- | Hatfields West Stand ||3,317 |- | Salop Leisure South Stand ||1,955 |- | SY Comms North Stand ||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 The Shrewsbury Town Foundation.

The first match at the stadium was 4–0 win against A-line Allstars featuring [[Gianfranco Zola]] on 14 July 2007.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.shrewsburytown.com/club/our-history/ |title=Our History |website=Shrewsbury Town FC |access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/shrewsbury/6900768.stm |title=Shrewsbury 4–0 A-Line Allstars |website=BBC Sport |date=16 July 2007 |access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref> The first league match was a 1–0 win against [[Bradford City A.F.C.|Bradford City]] with Dave Hibbert scoring the winner.<ref name="NewMeadow"/> Shrewsbury's record victory at this ground is 7–0 against [[Gillingham F.C.|Gillingham]] on 13 September 2008 in [[2008–09 Football League Two|League Two]]. The [[New Meadow#Record attendance|record attendance at New Meadow]] is 10,210 vs. [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]] in the [[2014–15 Football League Cup]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/shrewsbury-1-2-chelsea-match-report-4524914 |title=Shrewsbury 1–2 Chelsea match report: Jose Mourinho's men made to sweat by plucky Shrews |author=James Nursey |publisher=The Mirror |date=28 October 2014 |access-date=5 March 2023}}</ref> The record league attendance at New Meadow was 9,510 for a [[EFL League One|League One]] tie against [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]] in September 2013.<ref name="NewMeadow"/>

The England [[England national under-18 football team|under-18s]], [[England national under-19 football team|under-19s]], [[England national under-20 football team|under-20s]], [[England national under-21 football team|under-21s]] and England women's senior team have all played at the stadium.<ref name="NewMeadow"/> The [[England women's national football team|England Women's]] team have played three matches at New Meadow.<ref name="NewMeadow"/> For sponsorship reasons, the stadium has been named The Croud Meadow since June 2023.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Croud Meadow {{!}} Global digital marketing agency become Shrewsbury Town's new stadium sponsors |url=https://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/2023/june/croud-meadow--global-digital-marking-agency-become-shrewsbury-towns-new-stadium-sponsors/ |access-date=2023-06-13 |website=www.shrewsburytown.com |language=en-gb}}</ref>

==Club colours == {{Football kit box |align = left |pattern_b = _bluehalf2 |leftarm = 0000FF |body = FFFFFF |rightarm = FFFFFF |shorts = FFFFFF |socks = 000066 |title = Home colours, 1890s. }} {{Football kit box |align = left |pattern_la = _blue_stripes |pattern_b = _bluestripes2 |pattern_ra = _blue_stripes |leftarm = EEAB1F |body = EEAB1F |rightarm = EEAB1F |shorts = 294a9c |socks = EEAB1F |title = 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 worn by character Derek Smalls 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 until 2017, all been local companies. As of the [[2017–18 Shrewsbury Town F.C. season|2017–18 season]], the current shirt sponsor is The Energy Check, a [[South Shields]]-based Energy management company.

==Club crest== [[File:Shrewsbury Town Loggerheads Crest.png|thumb|upright|1993–2007]]

The first crest to appear on the shirt of Shrewsbury Town was the town's coat of arms, [[Shrewsbury#Coat of arms|The Loggerheads]] in 1907. The crest was used intermittently on shirts until 1960 through to 1970, when a generic football design was used. During this time, The Loggerheads continued to be used on other merchandise, such as match-day programmes. The Loggerheads returned in 1970, and in various guises continued to be used until 1986, when a "Shrew" cartoon was introduced as the club's crest in an attempt to rebrand "Salop" as "The Shrews".<ref name="historicalkits.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.historicalkits.co.uk/Shrewsbury_Town/Shrewsbury_Town.htm|title=Shrewsbury Town – Historical Football Kits|website=historicalkits.co.uk}}</ref> During this time, the club's kit was also changed to predominantly white. A campaign by fanzine "A Large Scotch" eventually led to the return of The Loggerheads crest in 1992.<ref name="historicalkits.co.uk" /> The crest changed once in again in 2007 to coincide with Salop's move to [[New Meadow]], the new badge featured a single lion's head in a circle. The club stated that the new badge was necessary as any design incorporating The Loggerheads could not be copyrighted.

== Kit suppliers == Over the years the club has had many different kit suppliers, the most recent being Umbro at the start of the 2021/22 season.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Umbro join the Salop family |url=https://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/2021/june/umbro-join-the-salop-family/ |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=www.shrewsburytown.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> It marked the return to the famous double diamond after the supplier manufactured the clubs kits during the most successful period in its history, which was from 1973 to 1982. From the start of the 2024/25 season, Oxen will become the clubs new technical kit supplier.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Oxen to become Shrewsbury's official kit and teamwear supplier |url=https://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/2024/january/oxen-to-become-kit-supplier/ |access-date=2024-03-24 |website=www.shrewsburytown.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" |+ !Period !Supplier |- |2024/25 - Present |{{flagicon|ENG}} Oxen |- |2021/22 - 2023/24 |{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Umbro]] |- |2019/20 - 2020/21 |{{flagicon|ENG}} Admiral |- |2015/16 - 2018/19 |{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Errea]] |- |2013/14 - 2014/15 |{{flagicon|ENG}} Surridge Sport |- |2010/11 - 2012/13 |{{flagicon|ESP}} [[Joma]] |- |2008/09 - 2009/10 |{{flagicon|ENG}} Prostar |}

==Supporters and rivalries== The club has many supporters groups from different areas of the nationally and internationally, including locally throughout [[Shropshire]], [[Wales]], [[Scotland]], [[London]] and internationally in [[Italy]] (where there is a team called Shrewsbury Town in a league in Milan).{{cn|date=November 2024}} Most recently there is a large supporters group in [[Portland, Oregon]], where there are ties with the [[MLS]] side [[Portland Timbers]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Portland Shrews | website=[[Facebook]] |url=https://www.facebook.com/groups/2271741066473208/?ref=share}}</ref> In 2019, a group named ''South Stand Flags'' was set up after the opening of New Meadow's safe standing section in order to "improve atmosphere at home games". The group, usually based in block 9 of the South Stand, organise choreography and flag displays. Their first fundraiser raised over £1000 which funded the purchase of 50 new flags. The group has gained of praise from players and managers, including the ex-Shrewsbury boss [[Sam Ricketts]].<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://southstandflags.com/about-us/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200223150832/https://southstandflags.com/about-us/ |url-status=usurped |archive-date=23 February 2020 |work=South Stand Flags |access-date=23 February 2020}}</ref>

An unofficial fanzine and forum named ''Blue & Amber'' was introduced in 2005.<ref>{{cite web |title=Blue and Amber forum |url=https://blueandamber.proboards.com/board/31 |work=Blue & Amber on ProBoards |access-date=23 February 2020}}</ref>

In late 2019 the club started attracting fans from the small Caribbean island nation of [[Grenada]]. The support stemmed from the club having two Grenada internationals, [[Aaron Pierre (footballer)|Aaron Pierre]] and [[Omar Beckles]], who helped the nation to a six-match unbeaten run in qualifying for the [[CONCACAF Gold Cup]]. The president of the [[Grenada Football Association]], [[Cheney Joseph]], adopted ''The Shrews'' as his team, stating "I have fallen in love with Shrewsbury. I'm serious. I believe they can become a dream story, a Cinderella story".<ref>{{cite web |title=Grenada's love for Shrewsbury Town is a Caribbean fairytale |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2019/11/12/grenadas-love-for-shrewsbury-town-is-a-caribbean-fairytale/ |work=[[Shropshire Star]] |date=12 November 2019}}</ref> In November 2019, Joseph sent a partnership offer to the club, as well as a formal invitation for Town chairman Roland Wycherley to visit the country.<ref>{{cite web |title=Grenada chief sends Shrewsbury Town partnership offer |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2019/11/12/exclusive-grenada-chief-sends-shrewsbury-town-partnership-offer/ |work=[[Shropshire Star]] |date=12 November 2019}}</ref> On 9 November, [[Oliver Norburn]] became the third Town player to be called up by [[Grenada national football team|Grenada]], whom he qualified for through his paternal grandfather.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ollie Norburn called up by Grenada|url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2019/11/09/ollie-norburn-called-up-by-grenada/|work=[[Shropshire Star]]|date=9 November 2019|access-date=12 November 2019}}</ref> On 26 January 2020, Joseph made his first visit to his adopted club, where he witnessed ''The Shrews'' come back from 2–0 down to draw 2–2 with [[Liverpool F.C.|Liverpool]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Baldi |first=Ryan |title=Liverpool's FA Cup opponents Shrewsbury get Grenada support |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51252195 |work=[[BBC Sport]] |date=25 January 2020}}</ref>

===Rivals=== {{Main|A49 derby}} The club maintains several rivalries. The rivalry with near-neighbours [[Hereford United F.C.|Hereford United]] was ranked nineteenth in ''[[The Daily Telegraph]]'''s ''Twenty fiercest rivalries in English football'' in 2015.<ref>{{cite news |last=Liew |first=Jonathan |title=The 20 fiercest rivalries in English football |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/01/29/the-20-fiercest-rivalries-in-english-football---by-jonathan-liew/cardiff-and-swansea-meet-in-the-premier-league/ |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=25 October 2015}}</ref> Known as the '[[A49 derby]]' due to [[A49 road|the road]] that connects [[Shrewsbury]] with [[Hereford]], it has not been played since Hereford United went out of business and reformed as [[Hereford F.C.|Hereford FC]], who now play in the [[National League North]], three divisions below ''The Shrews''. This is similar to the rivalry with the now defunct [[Chester City F.C.|Chester City]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Shrewsbury Town v Chester City – match postponed |url=https://www.cheshire-live.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/shrewsbury-town-v-chester-city-5227681 |access-date=13 February 2020 |publisher=Cheshire Live |date=10 January 2009 |quote=THE Blues' League Two derby at Shrewsbury this afternoon has been postponed due to a frozen pitch.}}</ref> In 2010, a new club was formed named [[Chester F.C.|Chester FC]] who, like Hereford, also compete in the National League North and are yet to meet Shrewsbury in any competition. Another rivalry for the Shrews is with Welsh club [[Wrexham A.F.C.|Wrexham]].<ref>{{cite news |title=It's Shrewsbury Town v Wrexham . . . in Kenya |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/2013/11/21/its-shrewsbury-town-v-wrexham-in-kenya/ |access-date=13 February 2020 |work=Shropshire Star |date=21 November 2013|quote=Shrewsbury Town's fierce rivalry with near neighbours Wrexham is about to go global as the two old rivals clash more than 6,400 miles from home in Kenya.}}</ref> Following Wrexham's relegation from the Football League in 2008, the fixture was not competed again until 2024 for an FA Cup match.<ref name="WREX">{{cite web |url=https://www.11v11.com/teams/shrewsbury-town/tab/opposingTeams/opposition/Wrexham/ |title=Shrewsbury Town football club: record v Wrexham |website=11v11 |publisher=AFS Enterprises |access-date=21 September 2024}}</ref> The two sides also met in League One during the 2024–25 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/live/cd6yegjwqxxt |title=Wrexham v Shrewsbury Town |website=BBC Sport |access-date=24 November 2024| date=7 September 2024}}</ref>

The club's other main rivals include [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cox |first1=Lewis |title=Shrewsbury v Walsall preview: Rivalry means there can be no easing up |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2019/05/03/shrewsbury-v-walsall-preview-rivalry-means-there-can-be-no-easing-up/ |access-date=13 February 2020 |work=Shropshire Star |date=3 May 2019}}</ref> [[Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C.|Wolverhampton Wanderers]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Arrests after fan disorder at Shrewsbury Town v Wolves FA Cup tie |date=30 January 2019 |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/arrests-after-fan-disorder-shrewsbury-15754956 |publisher=BirminghamLive}}</ref> [[Port Vale F.C.|Port Vale]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Shrewsbury Town vs Port Vale: More police called in for derby |url=https://www.shropshirestar.com/sport/football/shrewsbury-town-fc/2016/11/25/shrewsbury-town-vs-port-vale-more-police-called-in-for-derby/ |access-date=13 February 2020 |date=25 November 2016}}</ref> and [[Shropshire]] rivals [[A.F.C. Telford United|AFC Telford United]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.signal107.co.uk/telford/news/local/local-football-derby-for-shropshire-and-telford/ |title=Local football Derby for Shropshire and Telford |publisher=[[Signal 107]] |date=3 March 2015 |access-date=27 July 2019}}</ref>

==Staff== [[File:Lenny the Lion.png|thumb|Lenny the Lion, club mascot]] ===Club officials=== ''As of 5 September 2024'' <ref>{{Cite web |title=Club Statement {{!}} Brian Caldwell |url=https://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/2023/may/club-statement--brian-caldwell/ |access-date=2023-05-02 |website=www.shrewsburytown.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Micky Moore Joins As Director of Football |url=https://www.shrewsburytown.com/news/2023/may/micky-moore-joins-as-director-of-football/ |access-date=21 May 2023 |website=www.shrewsburytown.com}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" |- ! style="background:#2751A3;color:#EEAB1F;"|Position ! style="background:#2751A3;color:#EEAB1F;"|Name |- | Chairman || [[Roland Wycherley]] |- |Vice-Chairman || Duncan Montgomery |- |Chief Executive Officer & Director |Liam Dooley |- | Director of Finance || Andrew Crane |- | Associate Director || M Ashton |- | Associate Director || D Pitchford |- | Associate Director || H Wilson |- | President || [[Malcolm Starkey]] |- |Honorary Patron |Sir David Lees |- | Foundation Director || Shin Aujla |- | Club Secretary || Jayne Bebb |- |}

===First-team coaching & support staff=== ''As of 26 February 2026<ref name="First Team - Shrewsbury Town">{{cite news|url=https://www.shrewsburytown.com/teams/first-team/ |title=First Team - Shrewsbury Town |publisher=Shrewsbury Town |access-date=26 April 2021}}</ref>'' {| class="wikitable" |- ! style="background:#2751A3;color:#EEAB1F;" |Position ! style="background:#2751A3;color:#EEAB1F;" |Name |- |First-Team Manager |{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Gavin Cowan (footballer)|Gavin Cowan]] |- |Assistant Manager |{{flagicon|WAL}} [[David Edwards (footballer, born 1986)|Dave Edwards]] |- |Assistant Manager |{{flagicon|ENG}} Jamie Haynes |- |First-Team Coach |{{flagicon|WAL}} [[Sean Parrish]] |- |Goalkeeping Coach |{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Harry Burgoyne]] |- |Head of Physical Performance |{{flagicon|ENG}} Daryl Taylor |- |Sports Scientist |{{flagicon|ENG}} Ben Pritchard |- |Head of Medical Performance |{{flagicon|ENG}} Chris Skitt |- |Sports Therapist |{{flagicon|ENG}} Aaron Lambley |- |Head of Recruitment |{{flagicon|ENG}} Tom Ware |- |First-Team Scout |{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Chuks Aneke]] |- |Head of Performance Analysis |{{flagicon|ENG}} Stephen Corns |- |First-Team Analyst |{{flagicon|ENG}} Ben Parker |- |Kit Manager |TBA |}

=== Academy coaching & support staff === As of 10 April 2026 <ref>{{Cite web |title=Academy Staff - Shrewsbury Town |url=https://www.shrewsburytown.com/academy/academy-staff/ |access-date=2023-04-18 |website=www.shrewsburytown.com}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" ! style="background:#2751A3;color:#EEAB1F;"|Position ! style="background:#2751A3;color:#EEAB1F;"|Name |- |Academy Manager |{{flagicon|ENG}} Charlie Musselwhite |- |Head of Academy Coaching |{{flagicon|WAL}} Dan Reece |- |Head of Academy Goalkeeping |TBC |- |Head of Academy Strength & Conditioning |{{flagicon|ENG}} Billy Clark |- |Head of Academy Medical |{{flagicon|ENG}} Robert Morris |- |Head of Academy Performance Analysis |TBC |- |Head of Education |{{flagicon|ENG}} Matthew Digwood |- |Head of Player Care |{{flagicon|WAL|}} Natalie Wood |- |Lead Professional Development Phase Coach |{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Sean McAllister (footballer, born 1987)|Sean McAllister]] |- |Lead Youth Development Phase Coach |{{flagicon|WAL}} Dave Riley |- |Lead Foundation Phase Coach |{{flagicon|ENG}} Jack Pate |- |Academy Secretary |{{flagicon|ENG}} Louise Taylor |}

=== Women's first-team coaching & support staff === {{Updated|29 July 2025|<ref> {{cite web |author =  |title = Shrewsbury Town Women |url = https://www.shrewsburytown.com/shrewsbury-town-women |website = Shrewsbury Town F.C. |access-date = 29 July 2025 }} </ref>}} {| class="wikitable" !Position !Name |- |Operations & People Director |{{flagicon|ENG}} Leanne Rimmer |- |Commercial & Finance Director |{{flagicon|ENG}} Brogan Cook |- |Director of Football |{{flagicon|ENG}} Chloe Hudson-Jones |- |Head Coach |{{flagicon|ENG}} Darel Tidman-Poole |- |Goalkeeping Coach |{{flagicon|ENG}} Ryan Watson |- |Physiotherapist |{{flagicon|ENG}} Shannon Davis |- |Sports Psychologist |{{flagicon|ENG}} Dr Andrew Wood |- |Analyst |{{flagicon|ENG}} Jay Miller |- |Media |{{flagicon|ENG}} Jack Tyler |}

==Players== ===Current squad=== {{updated|2 February 2026}}<ref name="First Team - Shrewsbury Town"/> {{Fs start}} {{Fs player|no=2|nat=WAL|pos=DF|name=[[Luca Hoole]]}} {{Fs player|no=4|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Tom Anderson (footballer)|Tom Anderson]]}} {{Fs player|no=5|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Will Boyle]]}} {{Fs player|no=6|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Sam Clucas]]}} {{Fs player|no=9|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[George Lloyd (footballer, born 2000)|George Lloyd]]}} {{Fs player|no=10|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Tom Sang]]}} {{Fs player|no=12|nat=ENG|pos=GK|name=[[Will Brook]]}} {{Fs player|no=14|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Taylor Perry]]}} {{Fs mid}} {{Fs player|no=18|nat=IRL|pos=FW|name=[[Ricardo Dinanga]]|other=}} {{Fs player|no=23|nat=KOR|pos=DF|name=[[Isaac Lee (footballer)|Isaac Lee]]|other=}} {{Fs player|no=24|nat=ENG|pos=FW|name=[[Callum Stewart]]|other=}} {{Fs player|no=25|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Josh Ruffels]]}} {{Fs player|no=26|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Sam Stubbs]]}} {{Fs player|no=30|nat=ENG|pos=DF|name=[[Kevin Berkoe]]}} {{Fs player|no=38|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=[[Isaac England]]}} {{Fs player|no=43|nat=ENG|pos=MF|name=Will Gray}} {{Fs end}}

===Out on loan===

''None''

===Notable former players === {{see also|:Category:Shrewsbury Town F.C. players|List of Shrewsbury Town F.C. players}}

====Record holders==== [[Mickey Brown]] holds the club record for most league appearances 418, accumulated during three spells. However [[Colin Griffin (footballer)]] holds the record number of total appearances with 497. Centre half turned centre forward [[Alf Wood (footballer, born 1945)|Alf Wood]] scored 5 goals in the 7–1 victory against Blackburn Rovers in 1971 and became the first player since Dixie Dean to score four headed goals in one match.

====Cult heroes==== In 2004, the BBC's ''[[Football Focus]]'' ran polls to determine club's [[cult hero]]es, and [[Dean Spink]] was named as Shrewsbury's cult hero, ahead of [[Steve Anthrobus]] and [[Austin Berkley (footballer)|Austin Berkley]].<ref>{{Cite news| title=Shrewsbury's cult heroes |work=BBC Sport | url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/football_focus/3598134.stm | access-date=21 June 2007 | date=4 September 2004}}</ref>

== Foundation == The Shrewsbury Town FC Foundation is the club's official charity that carries out community work in the local community and surrounding areas. The foundation helps provide opportunities to many people by offering many different programmes. These include health & wellbeing, education, and employability. The foundation also provides football and participation opportunities which consists of walking football, disability football and soccer schools. It also runs the Shrewsbury Town development centres which provides advanced coaching to help progress players into academy football. A Girls Emerging Talent Centre is also organised and supported by the foundation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Homepage |url=https://www.foundationstfc.co.uk/ |access-date=18 April 2023 |website=Shrewsbury Town Foundation}}</ref>

==Managerial history== Source:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.soccerbase.com/teams/team.sd?team_id=2325&teamTabs=managers |title=Shrewsbury Manager History |website=Soccerbase |access-date=22 December 2023}}</ref>

{{colbegin}} * [[W. Adams]] (1905–1912) * [[S. Wilcox]] (1912–1934) * [[Jack Roscamp]] (1934–1935) * [[Stan Ramsay]] (1935–1936) * [[Ted Bousted]] (1936–1940) * [[Leslie Knighton]] (1945–1949) * [[Harry Chapman (Shrewsbury Town manager)|Harry Chapman]] (1949–1950) * [[Sammy Crooks]] (1950–1954) * [[Walter Rowley]] (1955–1957) * [[Harry Potts]] (1957–1958) * [[Johnny Spuhler]] (1958) * [[Arthur Rowley]] (1958–1968) * [[Harry Gregg]] (1968–1972) * [[Maurice Evans (footballer, born 1936)|Maurice Evans]] (1972–1974) * [[Alan Durban]] (1974–1978) * [[Richie Barker (footballer, born 1939)|Richie Barker]] (1978) * [[Graham Turner]] (1978–1984) * [[Chic Bates]] (1984–1987) * [[Ken Brown (footballer)|Ken Brown]] (1987) * [[Ian McNeill]] (1987–1990) * [[Asa Hartford]] (1990–1991) * [[John Bond (footballer)|John Bond]] (1991–1993) * [[Fred Davies]] (1993–1997) * [[Jake King (footballer)|Jake King]] (1997–1999) * [[Chic Bates]] (1999) * [[Kevin Ratcliffe]] (1999–2003) * [[Mark Atkins (footballer)|Mark Atkins]] (2003) * [[Jimmy Quinn (Northern Irish footballer)|Jimmy Quinn]] (2003–2004) * [[Chic Bates]] (2004) * [[Gary Peters (footballer)|Gary Peters]] (2004–2008) * [[Paul Simpson (footballer)|Paul Simpson]] (2008–2010) * [[Graham Turner]] (2010–2014) * [[Michael Jackson (footballer, born 1973)|Michael Jackson]] (2014) * [[Micky Mellon]] (2014–2016) * [[Danny Coyne]] (2016) * [[Paul Hurst]] (2016–2018) * [[John Askey]] (2018) *[[Sam Ricketts]] (2018–2020) *[[Steve Cotterill]] (2020–2023) *[[Matthew Taylor (footballer, born 1981)|Matt Taylor]] (2023–2024) *[[Paul Hurst]] (2024) *[[Gareth Ainsworth]] (2024-2025) *[[Michael Appleton]] (2025-2026) *[[Gavin Cowan (footballer)|Gavin Cowan]] (2026-Present) {{colend}}

==Club records== * Best [[FA Cup]] performance: Quarter-finals, [[1978–79 FA Cup|1978–79]], [[1981–82 FA Cup|1981–82]]<ref name="Our honours">{{cite news|url=https://www.shrewsburytown.com/club/our-honours/ |title=Our Honours |website=Shrewsbury Town FC |access-date=3 March 2023}}</ref> * Best [[EFL Cup|League Cup]] performance: Semi-finals, [[1960–61 Football League Cup|1960–61]]<ref name="Our honours"/> * Record attendance at [[Gay Meadow]]: 18,917 vs. [[Walsall F.C.|Walsall]], [[1960–61 Football League|Third Division]], 26 April 1961<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/29612853 |title=Shrewsbury Town: New ground record for Chelsea League Cup tie |website=BBC Sport |date=14 October 2014 |access-date=3 March 2023}}</ref> * Record attendance at [[New Meadow]]: 10,210 vs. [[Chelsea F.C.|Chelsea]], [[2014–15 Football League Cup|League Cup]] fourth round, 28 October 2014<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.shrewsburytown.com/club/our-history/#:~:text=The%20origins%20for%20Shrewsbury%20Town,teams%20in%20the%20county%20town. |title=Our History |website=Shrewsbury Town FC |access-date=3 March 2023}}</ref> * Record attendance for a Shrewsbury Town match: 61,589 vs. [[Bristol Rovers F.C.|Bristol Rovers]] (at [[Wembley Stadium]]), [[2007 Football League Two play-off final]], 26 May 2007 * Record victory: 21–0 vs. Mold Alyn Stars, [[Welsh Cup|Welsh FA Cup]] 1st round, 27 October 1894 * Record League victory: 12–1 vs. Hereford City, Shropshire & District League, 20 October 1894 * Record defeat: 0–13 vs. Small Heath, [[West Midlands (Regional) League|Birmingham League]], 25 December 1895 * 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) * Most appearances   497: [[Colin Griffin]] (1976–1988)

==Honours== Source:<ref name="Our honours"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.11v11.com/teams/shrewsbury-town/tab/honours/ |title=Shrewsbury Town Football Club Honours |website=11v11 |access-date=22 December 2023}}</ref>

'''League''' *[[Football League Third Division|Third Division]] (level 3) **Champions: [[1978–79 Football League|1978–79]] *[[Football League Fourth Division|Fourth Division]] / Third Division / [[Football League Two|League Two]] (level 4) **Champions: [[1993–94 Football League|1993–94]] **Runners-up: [[1974–75 Football League|1974–75]], [[2011–12 Football League Two|2011–12]], [[2014–15 Football League Two|2014–15]] **Promoted: [[1958–59 Football League|1958–59]] *[[Football Conference|Conference]] (level 5) **Play-off winners: [[2004 Football Conference play-off final|2004]] *[[West Midlands (Regional) League|Birmingham & District League]] **Champions: 1922–23 **Runners-up: 1913–14, 1923–24, 1936–37 *[[Midland Football League (1889)|Midland League]] **Champions: 1937–38, 1945–46, 1947–48

'''Minor''' *[[Shropshire County Premier Football League|Shropshire and District League]] **Runners-up: 1890–91 *[[Mid Wales League]] **Winners: 1934–35, 1935–36 *[[Central League (England)|Central League]] **Winners: 2009, 2013 *[[Central League (England)|Central League Cup]] **Winners: 2006 *[[Shropshire Senior Cup]] **Winners (67) - A Record *[[Herefordshire Senior Cup]] **Winners: 1951, 1986, 1998 **Runners up: 1973, 1987 *[[Walsall Senior Cup]] **Winners: 1924, 1925, 1926 *Shropshire Mayors Charity Cup **Winners: 1890, 1893, 1902, 1903, 1908, 1909, 1925 **Runners up: 1889, 1895, 1898, 1899, 1905, 1906, 1923, 1939, 1948 *Keys Cup **Winners: 1924, 1937

==References== {{Reflist}}

==Bibliography== *{{cite book |last= Jones |first= Mike |date= 2004 |title= Breathe on 'em Salop: The Second Coming : the Official History of Shrewsbury Town Football Club |url=https://books.google.com/books?vid=isbn0954809912 |location= Shrewsbury |publisher= Salop Sporting Services |isbn= 0-9548099-1-2 |access-date= 29 July 2025}}

==External links== {{commons category}} *{{Official website}} {{BBC football info|BBClinkname=shrewsbury-town}}

[[Category:Shrewsbury Town F.C.| ]] [[Category:Men's football clubs in England]] [[Category:Sport in Shrewsbury]] [[Category:Football clubs in Shropshire]] [[Category:Association football clubs established in 1886]] [[Category:English Football League clubs]] [[Category:National League (English football) clubs]] [[Category:1886 establishments in England]] [[Category:Professional football clubs in England]] [[Category:Shropshire & District League]] [[Category:Welsh Cup winners]]