FL2: Shrewsbury v Torquay Utd 2nd October 2010

I too had planned to go to this one~had even booked the hotel.

Then I found out where the ground was and the distinct lack of parking so I cancelled it.

Probably a good idea 'cause I think we're gonna get thumped!

Not really a case of where was I when we were crap!!!! Been there got the t shirt.

Hoping that someone who had been before could give some advice.

Welcome to the forum register and feel free to post a match report if you go to a more logistically friendly location. ;D

I must stress to anyone else reading this forum that the distances on the link I posted earlier are for the present ground however, and not Gay Meadow.

Perhaps anyone with my own "sad" tendencies will do as I did once, and visit the site of a far older football venue in Shrewsbury than Gay Meadow, but one which sadly now shows no hint of it's former uses.

That site is of the old Shrewsbury Racecourse which is now almost entirely covered by housing but can be located on ordnance survey maps ref: S150601200 north east of the town centre and including one "Racecourse Crescent" amongst it's roads.

The first such racecourse in the town was located at Copthorne in the late 18th century and this one at Monkmoor opened in 1832 provided by the Earl Tankerville on his Whitehall estate and purchased from him for £10,000 by the Shrewsbury Racecourse Company in 1838. By the end of that century the company sadly went into liquidation and the land was sold for £12,000.

It was first used for football in 1874 by Shropshire Wanderers and later Shrewsbury Town , and amazingly the Welsh FA used it to host their game with Ireland in 1890 when an estimated 3,000 people attended..............this being the second such ground in England utilised by the Welsh ~ The Alexandra Ground, Crewe being the other when Wales "hosted" England in 1888.

The magnificent old grandstand can be viewed on the website of Bridgeman Art and then utilsing the search facility on that site by typing in "Shrewsbury Racecourse"

www.bridgemanartondemand.com

Typically for such venues of the age, the stand was too far from the pitch to render an optimum view, and so marquees and tents were erected around the playing area with only flat, standing areas available around the touchlines.

The site was subsequently used for agricultural shows and it was not until the 1920s that it became absorbed into urban Shrewsbury.

I always regarded Gay Meadow as my very favourite away trip what with it's beautiful setting on the banks of the Severn beneath the old hospital and adjoining Wakeman School with it's statue's head peeking invitingly over the wall behind the goal ready for a stray shot to knock it off! With those elegant church spires (which can also be seen in that illustration of the racecourse) in the backdrop too, it was a lovely setting. The neighbouring Telepost Club located on the other side of the railway embankment behind the main stand and it's pristine and floodlit bowling greens was always our first post of call and the way into it down a little back alley opposite the Shrewsbury Abbey and the Dun Cow public house simply atmospheric.

Shrewsbury always demanded at least a Friday night to properly socialise before a Saturday game, Saturday for match day and another night out; and then Sunday in order to sleep off the beer and be in a fit state to drive home. On such things do marriages flounder and divorce lawyers get rich, but hey, who gives a shit!

Welcome to TFF register although I do not share your pessimism about the game tomorrow. I am expecting us to explode into October with a 2-0 win and to be in the top six at the end of the year.

Although the points haven't been gained in September these things happen to all clubs and it hasn't been a complete disaster.

After four straight wins we were due a defeat at Southend but after a poor start nearly snatched a point. Accrington are a tough team so a 0-0 draw will probably be seen as a good point later in the season. 0-0 away to Stevenage is creditable but according to all reports we were the better team and should have won. The Macclesfield 3-1 home reverese was abysmal and definitely a bad day at the office as described by some, but the 1-0 reverse to Aldershot a few days later was an undeserved defeat.

The conditions were appalling. Very wet ground, rain throughout, and a strong wind constantly changing direction. It was never going to be a classic but for most of the game we were the better side, created loads of chances, and forced the Shots keeper into two brilliant saves. We did fade right at the end, but it is a shame that many then forget the performance in the previous 80 minutes. Even the Aldershot manager described Torquay as "magnificent".

Ellis back I hope, and maybe a revitalised Wroe. Somebody strong alongside Benyon, maybe Gritton? .... and perhaps Nicholson taking the odd short throw in to surprise the opposition!!

I'm sure Buckle will have sorted it by tomorrow and look forward to 6 points from Shrewsbury and Crewe before our next home game against Bury ;D

Was hoping for some as well if anyone can advise where best to park within 15 minutes walk of the ground if possible (by the way - how do they know if you're not a "home fan" when you go to park in their carpark?!!).

Gipsygull - you and Mrs G heading along to this one tomorrow? See you there for a dissection of the match and and analysis of the latest public sector reform!!