Shrewsbury Town step up their pre-season planning this week, with Graham Coughlan urging them to “seek solace” from last season’s Wembley heartbreak by winning promotion this term.

Town’s preparations will increase in intensity over the coming days with Wednesday’s opening friendly trip to Northwich Victoria followed by the Shropshire Senior Cup final against AFC Telford United on Saturday.

Coughlan admitted everything is geared up towards peaking for the opening League Two encounter against Burton on August 8.

And he is hoping that will be the start of the road to redemption for Shrewsbury, who are determined to make amends for last season’s play-off final defeat to Gillingham.

“I don’t think that it will drift away – it is something that will live with you for the rest of your career,” said the reliable defender.

“The only way you can put it out of your mind is if we were to be successful come May.

“We start again this time with the same attitude and the same beliefs and wanting to go one better and win promotion.

“If we got promotion at the end of this season, you will seek solace for Wembley but I don’t think you will ever forget it.”

Coughlan – who was linked with a coaching move to Plymouth over the summer – is confident the summer additions made by manager Paul Simpson will make Shrewsbury a stronger force in 2009-10.

“The gaffer knows what he’s doing and where he wants to go,” he added.

“There will be better quality this year because he has done nothing but improve the football club since he has been here.”

By JAMES GARRISON