New Meadow

For nearly a century, the identity of Shrewsbury Town Football Club was tied to the banks of the River Severn at Gay Meadow, their home from 1910 until 2007. As the club sought to modernize its facilities and move away from a site prone to flooding, plans were developed for a new purpose-built stadium on the southern outskirts of Shrewsbury. Construction began in 2006, with club chairman Roland Wycherley cutting the first sod of soil. The new venue, located on Oteley Road, officially opened in the summer of 2007 in time for the 2007-08 season, marking a significant transition for the club as it moved into a modern, all-seater environment. Architecturally, the stadium was designed to provide a functional and comfortable experience for supporters, featuring four distinct stands that form a compact rectangular bowl. This layout ensures unobstructed sightlines and brings fans close to the pitch, maintaining an intimate atmosphere despite the shift away from the historic riverside ground. The site has since been expanded to include community facilities, such as a centre operated by the club's community trust and various sports pitches, which have helped integrate the stadium into the wider local area. Since its inauguration, the stadium has been known by several names due to commercial sponsorship agreements, including Greenhous Meadow and Montgomery Waters Meadow, before becoming the Croud Meadow in 2023. While it serves as the permanent home for Shrewsbury Town, the venue has also hosted various other events, including international youth fixtures. The stadium remains a cornerstone of the club's operations, balancing the commercial requirements of the modern game with the enduring passion of the Salopian faithful.