The New Saints chairman Mike Harris has confirmed he made a failed attempt to buy Shrewsbury Town back in September—just days after an exclusivity agreement with a separate American bidder also collapsed.
Posting on social media, Harris disclosed that his company submitted a bid last autumn that he says was “substantially higher” than the latest failed proposal. The offer, he claimed, would have given current chairman Roland Wycherley an exit strategy and offered the club a fighting chance of avoiding relegation from League One.
Another Twist in the Ownership Saga
Shrewsbury Town’s attempted sale has unravelled in recent weeks. A takeover deal with an unnamed American investor had been in place for six months, but the process never reached the final stages, with the buyer failing to submit an application for the EFL’s fit and proper person’s test.
“My company put a bid in for the club in September last year, substantially higher than the rumoured new bid. At the time it gave Roland a way out and the Town a fighting chance to stay up,” Harris posted on X.
Harris also expressed a willingness to re-engage with supporters or other interested parties in an effort to return the club to what he called its “glory days.”
With the exclusivity period now over, the club is free to open new negotiations. However, Wycherley’s statement confirmed that the American-led talks had ended in disappointment and expressed personal frustration over the months-long process that yielded no result.
“I know this will be a major disappointment to our supporters,” Wycherley said, revealing that all due diligence had been completed by Christmas to allow for a timely transition—one that never came.
The development is the latest setback for Shrewsbury in a turbulent season that has already seen manager Gareth Ainsworth depart for Gillingham, a club in the division below. Michael Appleton was appointed as head coach until the end of the campaign shortly after.
Writer’s view
Shrewsbury Town find themselves in limbo once again. The collapse of back-to-back takeover bids, coupled with on-pitch struggles and managerial instability, paints a worrying picture for the club. Mike Harris’ public revelation will raise further questions about decision-making behind the scenes.
If the club is to move forward, transparency, speed, and ambition must be at the heart of any future ownership talks. The time for prolonged negotiations and false starts is over—the fans deserve clarity and progress.
