Shrewsbury suffer fourth straight defeat as Notts County win first game under new boss

‘Atrocious’ Shrewsbury suffer their fourth straight defeat as Notts County win their first game under new boss Martin Paterson.

Notts County finally kicked into gear with a 4-1 victory with goals from Matthew Dennis (8′), Sonny Aljofree (20′), Nick Tsaroulla (47′), and Conor Grant (82′).

John Marquis’ header got one back for Salop to make it 2-1 on the 32nd minute, but they couldn’t complete the comeback, and the Magpies proved too strong.

The result means Shrewsbury are 23rd in League Two, a fourth straight defeat in all competitions, still without a win, and just 1 point to their name, the opening day draw. While Notts County are up to 15th with 4 points.

Questioned if this is one of the most challenging jobs of his managerial career, Michael Appleton replied, as per Shropshire Star: “It’s definitely up there.

“Because there’s obviously a lot of stuff going on off the pitch with the potential sale of the football club. Everyone talks about that.

“It doesn’t matter if I’m going for a bite to eat in town or wherever it may be.

“A lot of people want to ask me about that question, rather than why didn’t we defend that certain situation better or we could have done better there.

“So that’s an issue. But at the same time, I do quite like the thought of the challenge because the prize at the end of it is much bigger.

“It’s much more satisfying when you get something like this type of role and job right than it is just going into a normal job where you’ve got everything done for you and everything’s in place and everything’s hunky-dory.

“There is a burning desire inside me to get this right because I’ve seen what it looks like when you do get it right. I just hope that I get the opportunity to do that.”

Notts County boss Martin Paterson told BBC Radio Nottingham: “[I’m] happy because, I’ll be honest with you, there was pressure going into that game and rightly so because of what’s gone on in the first three games.

“It’s not all been dour but certainly we needed to put a full 90-minute performance together and I thought we did that.

“There’s still a few things inside it that we can’t get carried away with – we’ve had people do that against us and I don’t agree with it – the important thing is we pay respect to the opponents.

“Tonight was the first performance that looked like Notts County.

“With that, there were still moments in the second half when I thought they were doing it on purpose, the lads, trying to wind me up with some of their decisions but that’s growth.

“So, positive night, four good goals, but I still want that clean sheet. That’s really important, that shouldn’t be swept under the carpet and it won’t be with the back unit.”

The 1886 Shrewsbury protest group said after defeat: “Tonight was embarrassing. A 4-1 defeat to Notts County shows again oust how far we are falling, and it simply cannot go on like this.

“Our club is crumbling on the pitch, and the same old issues off it remain. Year after year, we are left with no ambition, no direction, and no fight. The fans deserve better than to watch Shrewsbury Town humiliated in this way.

“We know results wont change overnight, but what we do know is that the root of the problems has not shifted. Until there is real change at the very top, we are going to keep suffering these same humiliations.

“The message is clear: enough is enough. We will keep making our voices heard, and we urge every fan to do the same. This is our club – and we refuse to watch it rot in silence.

“Accrington Stanley at home protest plans.

“Roland Wycherley has already taken our money through season tickets. He counts on us turning up no matter what, because fans feel tied once they’ve paid. But this Saturday, we are showing him that loyalty has limits.

“For the first 10 minutes, the stands stay empty. We remain in the con-course. Let him look out on rows of deserted seats. Let him see what he has created. Let him feel the empti-ness of a club he has drained of life.

“This is no longer oust about results. It’s about survival. About a man who has held Shrewsbury Town hostage for far too long. Roland out.”

Post Notts County.

Plans coming soon… pic.twitter.com/qtrQ8AkTE2

— THE 1886 GROUP (@THE1886GROUP) August 20, 2025

Accrington Stanley (H) – Protest#shrewsburytown #stfc #salop #rolandout pic.twitter.com/Nr0H8Pv2hV

— THE 1886 GROUP (@THE1886GROUP) August 21, 2025

OPEN LETTER TO SUPPORTERS FROM SHREWSBURY CEO:

In his latest open letter to supporters, Shrewsbury Town chief executive Liam Dooley has provided an update on the club’s takeover situation and outlined how the remainder of the summer transfer window will be managed following the departure of director of football Micky Moore.

Dear supporters,

In a departure from my usual 10/12-week update, I would like to focus this message more on football matters following the recent changes at the club.

Firstly, I want to address the departure of Micky Moore as director of football.

Micky played a key role – alongside Michael Appleton – in recruiting eight new players over the summer.

Until just a couple of weeks ago, the majority of our supporters rightly believed that recruitment had been strong and that we were well-positioned for the season ahead.

And while we understand supporters’ frustrations with recent results, our belief in this squad remains firm – it is just a matter of the players clicking and adapting to the new philosophy that Michael is working hard to implement. Ultimately, this process takes time.

As a club we will now take a considered pause to reflect on our footballing structure.

We’re assessing what has worked well at other clubs and we will weigh up carefully whether to continue with a director of football model or return to a more traditional structure.

During this transition, recruitment at the end of the current transfer window will be overseen by the head coach, recruitment team and CEO.

This will ensure decisions are collective, measured, and in the best long-term interests of the club – with the Chairman continuing to provide vital financial support.

At the same time, we remain mindful of the club’s future ownership and any direction that new investors may wish to go in.

I’m really pleased to report advanced talks are ongoing with one prospective party, and we hope to enter an exclusivity period in the coming days and weeks.

Since the conclusion of our previous exclusivity agreement, the Board has carefully reviewed numerous expressions of interest.

The majority did not progress beyond our internal process, which requires prospective buyers to demonstrate both proof of funds and a credible plan for the club.

Following this thorough due diligence, we are really excited to have now found a potential buyer who we are close to entering into an exclusivity period with.

When the time is right, and once protocol allows, we will communicate with you clearly. We’ve learned from past experiences, and we will work to ensure the process is handled with as much openness and care as possible.

On the pitch, while results in our opening fixtures are yet to reflect our hard work, we believe strongly in the quality of this squad.

Recruitment this summer has given us a strong foundation, and as the transfer window closes, we’ll continue to look for smart opportunities to strengthen further.

The talent is there; now it’s about building chemistry and belief.

Finally, I want to say thank you. Thank you for your loyalty and your passion. Seeing you support the club in great numbers is fantastic.

My ask is for this support to be united. When we talk about unity it means all of us – supporters, staff and players – all getting behind Michael and Richard.

We all need to focus our energy on driving the team forward. If we stand together, keep faith, and back the team with everything we’ve got, I am confident we can look forward to an exciting new chapter in our history.

Thank you for your support. 

Liam.

CEO, Shrewsbury Town FC 

– STATEMENT ENDS –

Here’s how fans reacted after Shrewsbury suffer fourth straight defeat as Notts County win their first game under their new boss…

@samwatto2008: Fair play to your fans! Great following for a Wednesday night and didn’t deserve that! Even at 3-1 I thought you had a chance to get back into it, which shows how bad we were I think. Hope you turn it around soon!

@Whitters0890: Happy clappers will still have clapped and defending them!!!

@BoxingShrew: Rotten to the core

@TheLeonKearney: You can always smell that one team in August, in every league, who are going down.

@salopcarl: Blaming the manager is the obvious easy option. The players need to own it, some of them just aren’t good enough, particularly those up front. Marquis, Lloyd and Stewart aren’t going to get us the goals we need.

@edward_w97: League One’s bottom club has gone down again in each of the last two seasons. Forest Green in 2024, Carlisle in 2025. If Shrewsbury Town don’t massively improve in all areas, they’re going to make that trend continue for a third straight year…

@TomDearlove1: I 4-1 would hate to be a Shrewsbury fan right now

@Alexjm05: Anyone going to Swindon Saturday deserves all the credit. Absolutely no one should be giving this team any effort seeing as they can’t be arsed to do the same for you. Dark times. Really dark

@ben_cuerden: We may be 4 league games into the season but this is pathetic…. So difficult to see this season ending in any other way than relegation as there’s no way we can make enough changes to this squad that’s completely devoid of any ability, talent and for the most part, effort 🫣

@Alexjm05: Appleton is shite. The squad is shite. The ownership is shite. League 2 is shite. Wednesdays are shite. Saturdays are shite. #Salop are absolutely shite.

@CraigWebb31: Ok so get him out now. Still week to recruit something with new manager. Change it now or thats it

@ShrewsburyJohn1: You shower of shit, Wycherley, that sanctimonious tool Dooley asking for unity…. You fuckwits are destroying our club

@Shropshirelad00: Well Roland you have done it the club is in freefall all because you are an arrogant dinosaur. Poor decision after poor decision and the blame is entirely with you. You dont give a fuck about this club you lying rat. Fuck off.

@willthomas67: Diabolical yet again. 1 win in 22 games, I haven’t seen us win since February. Anyway, see you in Swindon!

@stevierobatkins: We’re nowhere near decent at the moment but you guys are the most unorganised team I’ve seen us play in a long time. I hope you can turn it around soon 👍🏼

@OLSTFC: Honestly thought we recruited well and was quietly optimistic going into new season! All optimism gone and we’re actually staring double relegation in the face albeit early days! Sell up Roland and in the mean time give Appleton some resources to do something before window shuts!

@salopiankillie:
Since Steve Cotterill left (Aug 2023)
🆚 110 games
🎯 93 goals scored (0.85)
🥅 187 goals conceded (1.7)
🫣 Minus 94 GD
🧤 16 cleansheets (15%)
😴 51 games where not scored (46%)
3 managers, 1 director of football later…..