A Look Into Histories

A LOOK INTO HISTORY TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY TWO

SCUNTHORPE AND SHREWSBURY FIRST LEAGUE FOR BOTH

Our Match Programme, a copy sold with the Southend United home fixture in 1983 has a particular significance as it is the Football League debut for both clubs. In season 1949-50 Shrewsbury Town and, as they were known until 1958, Scunthorpe and Lindsey United were both members of the Midland Counties League finishing respectively in 10th and 3rd positions, Nottingham Forest Reserves being champions. Both clubs had applied for election to the Division Three of the Football League every year since 1945 without success then in 1950, there was an increase from 88 to 92 clubs. Both clubs successfully applied and were voted into the Division Three North with Gillingham and Colchester United similarly to the South Division.

On Saturday August 19th, the Football League chose to pair the two together for their first ever game at the higher level. Scunthorpe United issued a programme for 2d without mention of the “Lindsey”. It was played at the Old Showground in Doncaster Road and, in addition to the usual welcome to all, the forthcoming fixtures were given plus those for the Reserves who now continued their Midland League membership. An Ekco TV giving clear black and white pictures and made in Southend, would cost £45 guineas plus tax ( £2,018.00 IN 2024 ! ) from George Jackson Ltd and you could pop along to the Royal Hotel for High Tea after the match. At the end of 1950-51, Scunthorpe were in 12th place of 24 and Shrewsbury Town 20th Rotherham United were Champions and New Brighton relegated.

Scunthorpe United played at the Old Show Ground until 1988 when Glanford Park was built, the first new purpose built stadium since Southend United’s Roots Hall in 1955.

Shrewsbury Town were founded in 1886 had been members of the Midland League since 1922-23 played the one season in the North Section and were transferred to the South in 1951 for seven seasons before becoming founder members of Division Four where they gained promotion along with Mansfield Town at the first attempt. Their ground was at Gay Meadow until 2007 with the River Severn alongside. A gent in a coracle would be at every home match to retrieve footballs from the River.