Link with the past for stadium

It was used for years as a way of retrieving footballs from the River Severn but one of the items most synonymous with Shrewsbury Town FC's history is set to play a new role.

The famous coracle used by the late Fred Davies is to be given back to the county town club.

On February 23, shortly before kick-off in the club's match against Hereford United at the new stadium in Oteley Road, the one-man boat will be presented to officials by lifelong fan Tim Beard.

Mr Beard, 52, who now lives in Surrey but has a second home at Habberley, near Shrewsbury, bought the coracle for £400 with his pal Alisdair Wilson in a charity auction following Mr Davies's retirement in 1986.

He said: "Alisdair and myself purchased it in auction as long-serving Shrewsbury Town supporters as we didn't want to see it going to an unhappy home or even out of the county. We've basically had it in safe keeping."

But after the bulldozers moved on to the Gay Meadow and the club completed the move to its new £15 million home, Mr Beard said he felt it was time for the coracle to make a return.

He said: "I phoned Roland Wycherley's (chairman) office and said we have had the coracle for years and thought it was only right the club should have it rather than ourselves.

"The reason why we've chosen the Hereford game is because Graham Turner (Hereford manager) used to be the Shrewsbury Town manager and we thought it would mean more to their supporters as well."

Alan Stevenson, head of commerce and marketing at the club, said: "One of the great traditions of Shrewsbury Town was the coracle and the River Severn and it's great that link is being restored. We're looking forward but we've got a dignified past and that is part of it."