It’s Wembley!

The sound of Shrewsbury Town’s Gay Meadow army will echo around the £757 million new Wembley Stadium today for one of the biggest games in the club’s 121-year history.

More than 23,000 excited Shrewsbury Town fans were today heading to the capital ahead of this afternoon’s crunch Coca Cola League Two play-off final against Bristol Rovers - Town’s first appearance at the new national stadium.

Just 90 minutes stands in the way of the riverside club securing promotion to the third tier of English football for the first time in more than a decade.

The Town will become one of the first clubs to grace the hallowed turf of the new stadium after a dramatic victory over MK Dons put them one match away from promotion and possible clashes with fallen giants Leeds and Nottingham Forest.

The Gay Meadow army launched a mass exodus to Wembley this morning after more than 70 coaches began leaving Shropshire from 8am packed with hopeful supporters.

Fans from across the county were due to descend on the streets around Wembley from late morning with the stadium gates expected to open at noon.

And hundreds of fans remaining in Shropshire were expected to pack out pubs and bars to watch the crunch match on television. Ex-pats and overseas fans were also expected to lend their support by listening in on the internet.

Shrewsbury Town secretary John Howarth today said: “The support we have had is fantastic. The chairman believes this is the record number we have taken to a game.

“We wish the fans a happy day. Let’s hope it is a memorable and successful one. It would be lovely to think we could be in League One next season. I’m sure everyone involved today will be giving 110 per cent.”

Town chief executive Steve Wellbeloved said: “We have been bowled over by the support we have had and the vast number of tickets and merchandise we have sold. It shows just how many there are following Shrewsbury Town.”

By Sarah Bullock