Ten years on from the Gay Meadow

It was the first leg of a League Two play-off semi-final as Gary Peters’ charges went up against Milton Keynes Dons – two clubs very much at different points, Salop ending a big chapter in their history and MK only three years into their controversial existence.

And as if for old times’ sake, the ball sailed over the stand and landed in the River Severn at one point.

The game itself was not a classic – no goals at either end – but it provided Town with a stable footing entering the second leg, which they won 2-1 as Shrewsbury-born Andy Cooke scored twice, either side of a Keith Andrews strike for MK, to set up a big day out at Wembley against Bristol Rovers.

Winning there would have been the perfect way to mark the end of an era at the Meadow, but it did not turn out that way as, despite Shrewsbury taking the lead through Stuart Drummond, the Pirates ran out 3-1 victors.

Being just outside of the town centre, on the banks of the River Severn, the Gay Meadow pitch often flooded, leading to quite a few games over the years being postponed.

And due to being near the railway too, there was pretty much no room for expansion or renovation.

Having witnessed that famous FA Cup third round win over Everton in 2003, a run to the League Cup semi-final in 1961, FA Cup quarter finals in 1979 and 1982, and third and fourth tiers wins in ‘79 and ‘94 at the Gay Meadow, it was a huge shame to see the stadium abandoned and eventually demolished. But, despite opposition from locals, the move to the new ground in Oteley Road – a 9,875-seater stadium was the right call.

Steve Wellbeloved, former Shrewsbury chief executive, said in February 2007: “At the moment the size of Gay Meadow limits our activity but moving to the new ground should generate more income which should allow us to invest more in the team. We need to take full advantage of the move.”

Shrewsbury were moving with the times, making sure they stayed ahead, but not ignoring the glorious times at Gay Meadow, which was replaced by a major housing development.

For that final game against MK Dons, with just minutes remaining the fans chanted “One Gay Meadow, there’s only one Gay Meadow” in a fitting tribute to the old ground.

And at the final whistle, the fans ignored the pleas of tannoy announcer Ryan Jervis and charged on to the pitch.

After the play-offs and end to the time at Gay Meadow, Peters said: “All our young players will learn so much from the whole experience – leaving the Gay Meadow, the MK Dons games and now Wembley. This is a big step forward for the club.”