Shrewsbury Town fans have been invited to attend a ‘funeral procession’ in protest before their home league matches throughout the season.
Fans are expressing deep frustration with owner Roland Wycherley, and are making their feelings known until new investment comes in.
The 1886 Group, following recent defeats (2-1 to Swindon and to Notts County), urges protests targeting Roland, not manager Appleton.
They call for fans to stay in the concourse for the first 10 minutes of the Accrington match, leaving stands empty, then display banners and chant to demand “Roland out,” highlighting years of mismanagement and the club’s survival at stake.
🗣️ 𝙎𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙚𝙙 𝙖𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙦𝙪𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙
🪧 2pm, Saturday 30th August.
🪧 Please feel free to share the image.
🪧 Please be respectful of RAD bar as a meeting place only. The actual walk starts from the petrol station.
🪧 WEAR BLACK. Bring flowers. Tell your friends. pic.twitter.com/Alb0a434rx
— Talk of the Town (@ShrewmourMill) August 24, 2025
A post, shared by Talk of the Town (@ShrewmourMill) on Twitter, reads:
IN LOVING MEMORY of SHREWSBURY TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB (1886 2025)
DEARLY BELOVED, You are respectfully invited to attend a memorial in honour of the sadly departed SHREWSBURY TOWN FC.
When: Saturday 30th August 2025 (and every subsequent Saturday home game until either the club finds salvation through new investment, or passes fully into history).
Where: A wake will commence at RAD Beet, Hereford Road, from Saturday lunchtime. At 2.00pm, the funeral procession shall gather at the petrol station and proceed with due solemnity towards the stadium on Oteley Road.
Order of Service:
• Gathering at the Oteley Road entrance
• Laying of flowers and the hanging of ceremonial flags
• A minute’s silence in memory of the deceased
• Traditional hymns (optional, yet warmly encouraged)
Dress Code: Black attire requested, with flowers to be brought as a sign of respect.
Bring on Saturday.#rolandout pic.twitter.com/8jLJz5qPMq
— THE 1886 GROUP (@THE1886GROUP) August 23, 2025
The 1886 Group meanwhile tweeted after the 2-1 defeat to Swindon: “The frustration is soiling over, and some want Appleton gone. But we all know the truth – this isn’t about him.
“We’ve had these problems for years, and sacking another manager won’t change a thing. The rot comes from the very top.
“Roland has dragged this club to its knees. Enough is enough.
“Saturday vs Accrington Stanley is protest time.
“Stay in the concourse for the first 10 minutes. Let the empty stands speak louder than words. Then show the banners – no matter the score. Bring the noise, and make it clear our fight is against Roland.
“This is our moment to stand together, to show the passion and anger of true fans.
“We are 1886. We will not be silenced.”
On the Accrington protest plans, they said after defeat to Notts County:
“Roland Wycherley has already taken our money through season tickets. He counts on us turning up no matter what, because fans feel tied once they’ve paid. But this Saturday, we are showing him that loyalty has limits.
“For the first 10 minutes, the stands stay empty. We remain in the concourse. Let him look out on rows of deserted seats. Let him see what he has created. Let him feel the emptiness of a club he has drained of life.
“This is no longer oust about results. It’s about survival. About a man who has held Shrewsbury Town hostage for far too long. Roland out.”
Billy Bodin scored in stoppage time to hand Swindon a 2-1 victory after Shrewsbury had looked like getting something from the game with a late equaliser.
Shrews boss Michael Appleton says after the game, per Shropshire Star: “I thought the first half, believe it or not, was OK.
“We just lacked a little bit of bravery and there was a bit of nervousness to us, but I thought in the second half we were superb. We were on the front foot, we were aggressive, we had runners getting in beyond, we created opportunities, we put them on the back foot.
“To get the equaliser as late as we did, and then to lose it, like I say, I’m more proper, proper gutted for the players and obviously the fans that missed out on at least a point.
“I thought we were going to be the team that did, if that was the case. I’m probably guessing that most people in the stadium thought that was going to be the case as well.
“It was a tough moment for them. But you know what, there were things said in the dressing room, it got a little bit heated, but in a really, really good way. I learned a lot about them today.
“There’s a lot of spirit in there, believe it or not. I truly believe that the win that we’re all desperate for is around the corner.
“Callum was excellent when he came on today. He looked like a real threat. “He gave us a goal threat, which is one thing, but the timing of his runs and getting in behind the opposition was good at times as well.
“I know he got the goal, but he was a little bit unfortunate not to get another one.
“We looked threatening, we looked like a side who could play on the front foot, and if we’re being honest, we’ve only probably seen glimpses of that in the game so far.”
A reminder of what Shrewsbury Town chief executive Liam Dooley said earlier this month in an update on the club’s takeover situation and outlined how the remainder of the summer transfer window will be managed following the departure of director of football Micky Moore.
“Dear supporters,
“In a departure from my usual 10/12-week update, I would like to focus this message more on football matters following the recent changes at the club.
“Firstly, I want to address the departure of Micky Moore as director of football.
“Micky played a key role – alongside Michael Appleton – in recruiting eight new players over the summer.
“Until just a couple of weeks ago, the majority of our supporters rightly believed that recruitment had been strong and that we were well-positioned for the season ahead.
“And while we understand supporters’ frustrations with recent results, our belief in this squad remains firm – it is just a matter of the players clicking and adapting to the new philosophy that Michael is working hard to implement. Ultimately, this process takes time.
“As a club we will now take a considered pause to reflect on our footballing structure.
“We’re assessing what has worked well at other clubs and we will weigh up carefully whether to continue with a director of football model or return to a more traditional structure.
“During this transition, recruitment at the end of the current transfer window will be overseen by the head coach, recruitment team and CEO.
“This will ensure decisions are collective, measured, and in the best long-term interests of the club – with the Chairman continuing to provide vital financial support.
“At the same time, we remain mindful of the club’s future ownership and any direction that new investors may wish to go in.
“I’m really pleased to report advanced talks are ongoing with one prospective party, and we hope to enter an exclusivity period in the coming days and weeks.
“Since the conclusion of our previous exclusivity agreement, the Board has carefully reviewed numerous expressions of interest.
“The majority did not progress beyond our internal process, which requires prospective buyers to demonstrate both proof of funds and a credible plan for the club.
“Following this thorough due diligence, we are really excited to have now found a potential buyer who we are close to entering into an exclusivity period with.
“When the time is right, and once protocol allows, we will communicate with you clearly. We’ve learned from past experiences, and we will work to ensure the process is handled with as much openness and care as possible.
“On the pitch, while results in our opening fixtures are yet to reflect our hard work, we believe strongly in the quality of this squad.
“Recruitment this summer has given us a strong foundation, and as the transfer window closes, we’ll continue to look for smart opportunities to strengthen further.
“The talent is there; now it’s about building chemistry and belief.
“Finally, I want to say thank you. Thank you for your loyalty and your passion. Seeing you support the club in great numbers is fantastic.
“My ask is for this support to be united. When we talk about unity it means all of us – supporters, staff and players – all getting behind Michael and Richard.
“We all need to focus our energy on driving the team forward. If we stand together, keep faith, and back the team with everything we’ve got, I am confident we can look forward to an exciting new chapter in our history.
“Thank you for your support.
“Liam. CEO, Shrewsbury Town FC”
– STATEMENT ENDS –
