Shropshire Star

Shrewsbury Town complete a League Two season they will want to forget with a trip to promotion-chasing Rochdale tomorrow.But boss Paul Simpson is eager to finish on a high note, both to give the long-suffering supporters something to cheer and to get one over on his former employers.

Simpson was manager of Rochdale in the 2002/3 season but was sacked after the club narrowly avoided relegation to the Conference.

The Town chief would take personal satisfaction from a victory over the Spotland outfit before he begins his summer rebuilding programme at Oteley Road.

“Our supporters haven’t had a lot to get excited about recently and we will want to go out and play with pride,” he said.

“Rochdale is one of my former clubs and so I would like to go back there and get a win and it would be nice to get a strong finish to the season.”

Rochdale come into the match knowing they are already guaranteed a play-off place and will definitely finish in fourth or fifth place.

That means they will get home advantage in the second leg of the play-offs, but they will still want to take three points off Shrewsbury tomorrow to seal a fourth place finish.

Dale are looking to get out of the basement division for the first time since 1974 and boss Keith Hill has surprised most pundits this season by masterminding a sustained promotion challenge.

Hundreds of Town fans are expected to make the journey to Spotland in fancy dress to mark the end of the season.

* Tickets are available for the fans’ end of season presentation night, which is being held in the Sovereign Lounge at the new stadium on Oteley Road on Tuesday.

Manager Paul Simpson and all the playing staff will be attending for the traditional finale to the campaign.

Tickets are priced at £5 for adults and £3 for juniors and OAPs, and include light refreshments. They are available from Chris Smith on 01952-604742 or from the ticket office.

By Chris Hudson