The Downgrading of the Shrews

After ten years in the third tier, Shrewsbury are heading back to the Football League basement

May 19, 2025

Monday 19 May 2025

If you’d like to write an article for The Scarf My Father Wore, share a few snippets or photos, or advertise your business, please email thescarfmyfatherwore@substack.com.

Dear County fans, Stopfordians, Shrewsbury supporters, and anyone else from The Football Family joining us today, a very warm welcome to your Monday edition of The Scarf My Father Wore.

Jack from Shrews Analysis joins us today for a (painful) look back at Shrewsbury’s campaign, after the Shropshire club finished bottom of League One with just 33 points.

As you can see from the photos above, I was at the New Meadow in October. I was also at Edgeley Park in January to see Ollie Norwood’s scintillating free-kick in the flesh. In fact, for the first time in my life, I’ve been to every single County game this season – all 56 of them! I’ve written a book about my adventures this season. If you’d like to support the publication by having your name printed in the book (along with a signed copy and a ticket to the book launch) drop me an email.

Today’s edition is sponsored by C J Motors Stockport. A big thank you to Connor.

Finally, I’m currently walking every street in Stockport to raise money for mental health charity Mentell. If you’d like to make a donation to help me reach my target, please click here.

Total distance so far: 253.75 miles

Total steps so far: 418,084

Total raised so far: £2,312

Total completed streets so far: 474 (Click here for the full list, which includes reports and photos from every day of the walk.)

Further information on the walk can be found by clicking here.

Des Junior

Leave a comment

Shrewsbury lost 2-0 at home to County in October (Photo courtesy of Mike Petch)

Best moment of 2024-25?

Beating Birmingham was fantastic, but I’ll have to give it to beating arch-rivals Wrexham 2-1 at home in front of the TV cameras.

Worst moment of 2024-25?

Losing 2-0 at home to Burton in March. That’s when I gave up.

Funniest moment of 2024-25?

I can't decide between captain John Marquis equalling the EFL record for a red card after 13 seconds in a crucial relegation six-pointer at Peterborough, or us being the only team in the division to beat both Birmingham and Wrexham.

The Birmingham Boasters and the Wrexham Wazzocks seem to have annoyed a lot of fans in League One this season. Which one are you most glad to see the back of?

Wrexham. It's just a shame they're not going the other way.

Reform have been making a lot of noise recently. Based on this season, what’s in most need of reform at Shrewsbury, on or off the pitch?

Christ, both have been as bad as each other. I'll say off the pitch, as that would then (hopefully) see on-the-pitch improvements.

Four Four Two had you down to finish 23rd, EFL pundit Gabriel Sutton thought you’d finish 23rd, while the Opta supercomputer predicted you’d be 23rd. You finished 24th. Discuss.

We combined a porous defence with genuinely the most ineffective, toothless attack I've seen. Nuff said.

Shrewsbury 0 County 2 in October. County 1 Shrewsbury 0 in January. Thoughts?

Conceded a sloppy goal at our place in a first half that was pretty even, but then you ran out deserved winners.

At your place, one of the best free-kicks I've ever seen in League One from Ollie Norwood won the game, where we were probably good value for a point.

Best and worst away days of 2024-25?

Best: Rotherham. Worst: Cambridge.

Which Shrewsbury player is most deserving of his couple of weeks on the beach this summer?

Alex Gilliead. Ran his socks off every game.

Never mind Welcome to Wrexham on Disney+, a TV production company have just made Shrewsbury Town: The Story of 2024-25. Which channel would it be most suited for?

Comedy Central. You have to laugh or else you'll cry.

And finally, apologies for darkening the mood, but you’ve only got 30 seconds to live. Putin’s pressed the red button and we’re all about to die. You can have one last moment of pleasure, watching a single Shrewsbury goal from this season. What you sticking on?

Tom Bloxham at home to Birmingham. A scrappy, horrible goal that he basically kneed over the line, but a goal that made us believe we may actually beat the most expensive (and ultimately best) League One team ever.

➡️ Any Shrewsbury fans joining us today? As stated above, I’ve written a book having watched every County game home and away this season. There’s obviously two big chapters on Shrewsbury included (home and away). Also, as I celebrated my 40th birthday this season, I’ve written about my four decades as a County fan as well, which I’m hoping will be an enjoyable read for anyone who supports a lower league club. There’s memories of beating four Premier League clubs as County reached the Coca-Cola Cup semi-finals in 1996-97, the club’s rise from the National League North to the brink of the Championship over the last few years, and the tale of a trip to Blackpool 20 years ago when me and my mates had a run-in with armed police after a day on the ale…

If you’d like to support the book, click on the link below to become a paid subscriber and I’ll post you a signed copy with your name printed inside once it’s published.

Make sure you get your car serviced before your next trip

Not everyone travels abroad these days for a holiday. Whether you’re taking your caravan to Cornwall, your motorhome to Margate, or simply packing up your Skoda for a few days in Skegness, make sure you’re on top of your servicing. Don’t be that family stuck on the hard shoulder with their hazard lights on!

Before you go away, get your vehicle booked in for a service with Connor at CJ Motors (opposite The Peel Centre) to avoid any additional stress on your holiday.

➡️ Visit cjmotorsuk.com for further details.

5 questions with Bev from The Steelworks

What was the best moment with your business in April?

Easter weekend was great, with lots of live music. Also, our first karaoke night on the 11th. Couldn’t get another person in here!

What’s your plans for the business in May?

My dad’s 75th birthday and my stepdaughter’s baby shower.

What would you like to promote to The Scarf My Father Wore readers this month?

We’ve got a lovely beer garden. Come and enjoy a couple of drinks while the weather’s nice!

County were aiming to reach Wembley for the seventh time this month, but unfortunately we’ve just missed out. How many times have you been, either for sport or music or anything else?

I went to the old Wembley once. I think it was Arsenal v Man United in the 90s.

I’ve got Eddie Fortune headlining my next Desmond’s Comedy Club at the end of this month. If you won a fortune on the lottery, what would you spent it on?

That’s easy. A trip to Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam, as well as setting our parents and kids up mortgage-free!

Photo(s) of the day

Goodison Park, Liverpool

After 133 years, Everton played their final game at the iconic Goodison Park yesterday. County never won there, but it was the scene of my greatest FA Cup memory in 1996. I wrote about that unforgettable afternoon last season, alongside my trip to Goodison to watch County’s FA Youth Cup tie (photos below). Click here to read the piece.

Today in SK

🎬 Cinema

Two films at The Savoy Cinema (SK4) today. The Accountant 2 (15) at 5.30pm, followed by Santosh (15) at 8.15pm. Click here for tickets.

🍺 Food and drink

Happy Hour at Covent Garden Café (SK1) between 1.30pm and 2.30pm. If you spend £20 or more you get to roll the dice, and if you roll a 6 your bill is half price!

Enjoy a coffee and a cake for just £6 at The Dog & Partridge (SK2). The perfect excuse for a catch-up! 12pm - 4pm.

Bitter £2.30 a pint all day at The Cross Keys (SK8). Plus, discounts on certain lagers between 12pm and 6pm.

If you’re heading out for a few beers today, pop into one of our featured venues such as The Crown (SK2), The Alexandra (SK3), The Crown Inn (SK6), The Three Tunnes (SK7), Flute & Firkin SK12 and The Ram’s Head (SK12).