Shrewsbury Town are braced for a significant financial hit after their relegation to League Two was confirmed, with football finance expert Kieran Maguire warning the club could see a revenue drop of £1m.
After a decade in League One, the Shrews’ demotion was sealed following consecutive defeats to Wigan Athletic and Northampton Town. They are guaranteed to finish bottom, bringing a disappointing season to a close — one which has sparked concern both on and off the pitch.
Maguire, speaking to BBC Radio Shropshire, highlighted the broadcast income loss and the reduced appeal to sponsors and commercial partners as key factors in the anticipated revenue plunge.
“The biggest difference for Shrewsbury Town will be the broadcast income will be cut by a third, so it’ll be around £700,000 next season,” he said. “Trying to persuade commercial partners to sponsor a League Two team is more difficult. I’d expect overall to see around a £1m decrease in revenue.”
The fall in ticket sales is also expected to play a part, with the club unlikely to attract the same crowds without high-profile visiting teams like Birmingham City and Huddersfield Town. The League Two landscape presents fewer box office clashes and lower general footfall.
Maguire noted that while the English Football League provides some support for relegated clubs, it’s a far cry from the parachute payments in the Premier League.
“There is a small element, tens of thousands,” he said. “It will not move the dial. In the Premier League if you get relegated, it is £45m. Between League One and Two we’re talking buttons.”
Appleton’s Brutal Assessment of Squad Mentality
Michael Appleton, who took over last month following Gareth Ainsworth’s departure, did not hold back when assessing the group he inherited. With his future still undecided, Appleton issued a scathing verdict on the team’s attitude.
“If I’m here, I can’t tell you how different things are going to be. There is a softness to the group that makes my skin crawl,” he said. “It allows me to be more forthright with people when they have a better understanding of what is happening next year.”
Shrewsbury will conclude their campaign with fixtures against Barnsley and Crawley Town, but the focus has already shifted to a summer of rebuilding — and potential cost-cutting.
Writer’s View
Shrewsbury’s relegation is more than just a footballing failure — it’s a financial reset. Maguire’s figures paint a sobering picture, but it’s Appleton’s honesty that truly highlights the work ahead. If he remains, a ruthless rebuild looks inevitable. The question now is whether the club can afford the transformation it needs.
