“Turn The Corner” – Former Wrexham STAR On Turning Around Club’s Fortunes

Former Wrexham star Will Boyle believes his current club Shrewsbury Town are turning a corner after a poor start to their League Two campaign, following their relegation over the summer.

The 30-year-old scored a vital goal to beat 10-man Crawley Town at the weekend.

THAT Boyley winner 🤩‼️ pic.twitter.com/oTOyE0yhsM

— Shrewsbury Town FC (@shrewsburytown) October 18, 2025

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Proving A Point

Will Boyle rose through Huddersfield Town’s academy where he debuted in 2015 against Reading. Loan spells shaped his early career: Kidderminster Harriers, Macclesfield Town, York City, and Kilmarnock, where he scored on debut. Joining Cheltenham Town permanently in 2017, Boyle made over 150 appearances for the Robins, forming a key defensive partnership with Dave Winfield and helping them to secure the 2020–21 League Two title.

He returned to Huddersfield in 2022, playing 18 Championship matches. In 2023, Boyle signed with Wrexham, contributing to consecutive promotions from League Two to League One, scoring on debut against Walsall. In June, he joined Shrewsbury Town on a two-year deal, reuniting with director Micky Moore to chase League Two success after relegation from League One.

Inconsistent Times

Shrewsbury Town, freshly relegated to League Two after a dismal 2024-25 League One campaign, face mounting concerns as the 2025-26 season unfolds. Manager Michael Appleton’s appointment in March, initially short-term amid Gareth Ainsworth’s shock exit to Gillingham, has not gone down well with fans and pundits.

Despite extending his deal through 2027, Appleton’s tactical style has been deemed unsuited to a squad of limited quality, which yielded just one win in eight early matches, leaving Salop just above the drop zone. Critics, echoing past stints at Blackpool and Charlton, predict an early sacking, especially if new ownership arrives.

Ownership woes compound the crisis. Chairman Roland Wycherley’s 29-year tenure ended in repeated takeover failures with an American bid collapsing in March, followed by two more in September, scaring off investors wary of the club’s valuation amid relegation.

With 16 expressions of interest but bids on hold, financial stability hangs by a thread, delaying squad rebuilds and fueling fears of administration. Supporters demand clarity, as Shrewsbury’s decade-long third-tier stay crumbled into uncertainty.

Boyle’s Comments 

Speaking ahead of Salop’s next game agsinst Oldham Athletic, Boyle said:

“To dig in and come out on top is something that will give us a lot of confidence,”

“With the start we’ve had, [it feels like we’re] now turning a bit of a corner.”

“It’s massive. In this league, shutting the back door is vitally important. It gives you a platform to build on and you can win games with set-pieces,” he said.”

“Everyone grows in confidence knowing it only takes one moment.”

Boyle has enjoyed two ‘moments’ in the last two games, getting on the end of corners from Sam Clucas to bag his first league goals for Shrewsbury.”

He says Clucas’ quality from dead-ball situations make it a dream for a defender.”

“His delivery is really good. I believe I’m going to get on the end of stuff and when Cluey’s putting in deliveries like that, I’d be kicking myself if I wasn’t,”

“The results the last three and looking at performances over the last six or seven we can look at them and think ‘yeah, that’s the sort of thing’ – apart from Harrogate [a 2-0 defeat] we’ve been in the games and moments are starting to go our way.”

“Hopefully that can stand us in good stead moving forward.”

Writers View 

Will Boyle’s recent remarks after Shrewsbury Town’s win over Crawley reveal a defender grappling with mounting pressure.  The 30-year-old centre-back, who joined from Wrexham in June, knows promotion’s weight, having helped secure it twice before. Yet, Shrewsbury’s early League Two stumbles with them languishing near the drop zone test his and the team’s resolve.

Fans’ impatience is palpable, fueled by more than just results. Ownership uncertainty looms large, with Chairman Roland Wycherley’s takeover talks collapsing thrice this year, with the first in March, then twice in September.

Supporters, vocal since August protests, crave a fresh start in Shropshire, fearing financial peril if bids stall further. Boyle’s comments mirror this unrest, reflecting a fanbase desperate for stability and ascent.

Manager Michael Appleton, despite a rocky start since his March appointment, leans on seasoned pros to steady the ship. Boyle, with his Cheltenham title pedigree, pairs with Sam Clucas’s midfield stability and John Marquis’s leadership up top.

This trio offers hope, but Appleton’s tactics, criticised as mismatched, must deliver soon. Boyle’s frustration underscores a broader truth that Shrewsbury’s revival hinges on results and a takeover breakthrough. With two recent home wins, there’s a flicker of momentum, but time will soon be against them.