PU PREVIEW 18: SHREWSBURY TOWN

Shrewsbury Town FC was founded in 1886 following the demise of first Shropshire Wanderers and later Castle Blues. The team began by playing friendlies and in regional cup competitions before becoming founder members of the Shropshire & District League in 1890. They were admitted to the Birmingham & District League in 1895. Shrewsbury moved to Gay Meadow in 1910, where they were based for 97 years. The club joined the Midland Champions League in 1937 and won the title in their first season, also winning the Welsh Cup. Shrewsbury were elected to the Third Division (North) of the Football League in 1950 when the League expanded to 92 clubs. The club reached the semi-finals of the League Cup in 1961 where they lost 4-3 on aggregate to Rotherham United. The club's best FA Cup run was in the 1978-79 season when they reached the sixth round, losing to Wolverhampton Wanderers after a replay. This run was matched in 1981-82 when they lost 5-2 at Leicester City. On 22 December 1990, Gary Shaw scored a hat-trick for Shrewsbury in four minutes and 32 seconds at Bradford City, the fastest hat-trick in the club's history. Shrewsbury lost their League status in 2003, their final match being against Scunthorpe United who had been the opponents for their first League game in 1950. The club was successful at the first attempt at regaining their League status when they defeated Aldershot Town on penalties in the Conference play-off final in 2004. Shrewsbury moved to the New Meadow in 2007. A naming rights deal saw the stadium renamed the Prostar Stadium in July 2008. The ground is now known for sponsorship purposes as the Greenhous Meadow.

England goalkeeper Joe Hart began his playing career at Shrewsbury. Former Everton and Manchester United manager David Moyes also played for Shrewsbury.

The Shrews are managed by Sam Ricketts and finished the 2018-19 League One season in 18th place.

Pompey have faced Shrewsbury on twenty-six occasions. The first meeting was in the FA Cup in January 1910, when Pompey won 3-0. Of the twenty-five League games, Pompey have won twelve, Shrewsbury ten and three have finished as draws. The last meeting came in August 2019 at New Meadow when Shrewsbury won 1-0.

(Information via Wikipedia and www.11v11.com)