Club 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. Shrewsbury Chronicle reported the club's being formed at the Turf Hotel, Claremont Hill, Shrewsbury. It may be both accounts are true, with a get-together at the Lion being finalised at the Turf.

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

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

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

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

After a run of good seasons in post-war years, Shrewsbury were admitted to the old Division 3 (North) of the Football League in 1950, after being Midland League champions in 1949-50.

The club was promoted back to the Football League in 2004 at the first attempt, when they won the Conference play-off final. They had been relegated into the conference national from what was then the Third Division (fourth tier) in 2003. In 2006-07, they reached the first play-off final at the new Wembley Stadium, losing 3-1 to Bristol Rovers. Shrewsbury qualified once again for the fourth tier play-off final at Wembley in 2008-09, but lost 1-0 to Gillingham.

Football League history

Shrewsbury Town were elected to the Football League Division 3 North in 1950 following the decision to expand from 88 to 92 clubs. Shrewsbury were then promoted to the Third Division in 1958-59. They remained in the third tier 15 years, slipping back to Division Four at the end of 1973-74.

1960-61 season 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 4-3 on aggregate to Rotherham United. This era was also remembered for Arthur Rowley. He arrived from Leicester City in 1958, the club's first player/manager. During his playing and managerial career, he broke Dixie Dean's goal-scoring record, scoring his 380th league goal against Bradford City at Valley Parade on April 29, 1961. Retiring from playing in 1965 he remained manager until July 1968.

Shrewsbury were promoted to the Third Division in 1974-75 as runners-up, before another successful season in 1978-79, when they were league champions under Ritchie Barker and later Graham Turner. Over 14,000 fans packed Gay Meadow on May 17, 1979 to see Shrewsbury seal promotion with a 4-1 win over Exeter City. In addition, the club had their best ever FA Cup run.
1st Round: 2-0 Mansfield Town A
2nd Round: 3-0 Doncaster Rovers A
3rd Round: 3-0 Cambridge United H
4th Round: 2-0 Manchester City H
5th Round: 2-2 Aldershot A
Replay: 3-1aet Aldershot H
6th Round: 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers A
Replay: 1-3 Wolverhampton Wanderers H

The most successful manager is Graham Turner, who won the Third Division Championship in 1978-79 - his first season in charge -and took the club into the Second Division for the first time. They remained for ten years, although Turner departed for Aston Villa in 1984.

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