Learn all about the history of football in Shrewsbury by cycling around the old football pitches. Mostly on road or cycle ways.
This is quite an urban route ; some sections are on dedicated cycle tracks / pedestrian routes but are beside quite busy through roads. It gives a lovely tour of the town and the route through the Quarry park is delightful. For football and history fans, it’s a good way to explore.
STFC’s first ground hosted 51 games over its 3 year history. These were mainly friendly games as the club had not yet joined an organised league. The first ever game at the ground was against Wellington on 16 October 1886; Shrewsbury won 5:2.
47 games were played at this ground which saw Town’s shortest stay and the end of their association with the Shropshire & District League. Shrewsbury defeated Oswestry United 6:1 in the first match played here. The site is now allotments.
This move coincided with Town’s step up into the Birmingham League. They played 15 seasons and over 300 games here, many against the Midlands’ top reserve sides such as Aston Villa and Wolves. In 1910 they reached the first round of the FA cup.
Town spent 97 years at the most revered of its former grounds. They played over 3,000 games here and had many highlights including winning the Welsh Cup 5 times, football league promotions and spending 10 years in the old second division.
This is Town’s current, state of the art, stadium. The first game was a 4:0 victory against A-Line All Stars on 17 July 2007, Highlights to date have included hosting England International games at under 19 level and the England women’s side.
Town centre cafés, pubs and sandwich shops. Have a picnic down by the river!
Turn left out of the Prostar Stadium onto Oteley Road; home to Shrewsbury Town since 2007.
Turn right at Meole Brace Island onto Hazeldine Way. This part of route is on specific cycle track / pedestrian route beside a busy road.
Turn left onto Sutton Lane past the location of the football ground from 1893 to 1895.
Take left fork over railway bridge onto Betton Street.
Turn right onto Old Coleham.
Turn right and go under railway bridge. Cross Old Potts Way at Asda and turn left on cycle track towards the Abbey.
Cross the road by the Wildlife Trust and go left under railway bridge.
Turn right to the site of Gay Meadow, STFC’s ground 1920-2007. There is now housing on the old site of the football ground, behind the Sixth Form College building.
Retrace route to the corner by Abbey Hardware. Keep left past the Abbey.
Turn left onto Holywell Street. Continue along Underdale Road, dipping under the railway bridge.
Turn right onto Tankerville Street.
Cross Monkmoor road onto Racecourse Avenue, site of the Racecourse Ground, 1886-1889.
Retrace route to Underdale Road. The site of Ambler’s Field, STFC’s ground 1889-1893, is just north of here at Bradford Street.
Go straight over Underdale Road onto Castle Walk; a cycle track across the park.
Cross footbridge and turn left, left again, then right, following signs to Route 81 to join riverside path. Just before you duck under the English Bridge, the site of the old Gay Meadow that you saw earlier is across the river on your left.
Follow riverside path through The Quarry park and cross Porthill Bridge (pedestrian suspension bridge).
Cross Porthill Road and turn right onto Pengwern Road, signed Route81.
Turn left onto Woodfield Road.
Turn right at the mini roundabout onto Porthill Drive. Copthorne Drive on your right was the site of the Barracks Ground 1895-1910.
Return to Woodfield Road and turn right.
Branch right at Woodfield Avenue, signed Route 81.
Cross Shelton Road using crossing and turn left on cycle track.
Follow Shelton Road/Roman Road back to Meole Brace Island.
Use pedestrian crossings to cross Roman Road and retrace steps to Prostar Stadium.
