'I need to renew my season ticket, but I don't know whether I want to' - Shrewsbury Town fans react to takeover collapse

In November last year, the club announced that it was in a period of exclusivity with a potential new owner - believed to be an American entrepreneur.

But, when the news broke last week that manager Gareth Ainsworth was leaving the club and heading to Gillingham of League Two, uncertainty grew over whether this takeover would go ahead.

The loss of Ainsworth was a big blow to Town and left fans feeling 'betrayed'. And, to add further salt to the wounds of Ainsworth's departure, and the 4-1 thumping by Birmingham City last Saturday, the period of exclusivity with the proposed new owner ended yesterday (March 31) - and Shrewsbury are now free to talk to other interested parties. 

Salop fan Nathan Cavin revealed that he was planning to renew his season ticket, but when the news broke, he began to question whether he still wants to. 

However, the news didn't come as a surprise to the 41-year-old, who said: "It makes sense why Ainsworth left. I went to the question and answer session with him a few weeks ago and we were lapping it all up, but I felt quite betrayed.

"We all sussed there was something up because I think he was given promises which was why he came in the first place. I have been saying why did he come to Shrewsbury? He must have known that there was going to be investment and the takeover was going to happen. So I think everyone was a bit sussed as to why he left, especially because he did all that love bombing and said it would be a journey. It was quite sickening.

"I don't know what the answer is, I imagine buying a club is quite hard. I would like to know who it is who pulled out because I think they need to give us some answers as well.

"I think what Roland Wycherley has done for the club over the years is amazing to put us where we are, but I think football has moved on and we are left behind. 

"I don't know if he was playing hard-ball, I have no idea. I am loathed to know why, but maybe he wanted more money or something. 

"I have got to go and renew my season ticket today (March 31) and I don't know whether I want to. I think I will because it is all about going to the games with family and those moments, and I think I would miss that, but I have no appetite to go and don't think I will go to another game this season. There is just no point, our players are not good enough and it is really depressing. 

"I hate saying that because I like to support them, but I think we need to make a stand that we have been kept in the dark about a lot of stuff."

Things are looking bleak for Shrewsbury this season. They sit bottom of League One and 14 points adrift from safety with eight games remaining. 

New head coach Michael Appleton stated there hasn't been any discussion between him and the club regarding next season and said he wants to try and put a smile on the fans' faces. 

Supporter, Callum Potts, 18, has already renewed his season ticket and said he will still support Salop no matter what.

However, he was disappointed at the news, adding: "We keep slipping down the table, and there has been rumours that Wycherley has over-valued the club, so I was thinking that if we get relegated, we have lost our manager, then the value of the club is lower and they are not going to try and buy us.

"It wasn't too much of a surprise but it is annoying. 

"I am fearing for the future and next season because I remember when I went to the pre-season match against Telford, we were so bad, and I was thinking that we could be a National League club in the next few years. It could be that bad, but I hope it is not, I want us to kick on. But, I am not hopeful.

"I was ready for us to go into next season with Ainsworth. I was shocked when he left because he said he was here for the long-term.

"He did elude to that he was here for a takeover. I can understand his position, it is still a little bit annoying, but I think there is a level of respect he hasn't shown for leaving when he did."

Tonight (April 1), Salop visit Wycombe Wanderers looking to bounce back from defeat to Birmingham before they return to the Croud Meadow on Saturday, hosting Cambridge United. 

Steve Wright vividly remembers his first Salop game in 1985 when Town faced Bangor in the Welsh Cup.

The lifelong fan thanked Roland Wycherley for his work, but fears the club could fall further down the pyramid, and called on the Town owner to be open with supporters about the situation. 

"After this week, it is shocking, it is a shambles," he said. "It is pretty hard to beat as the worst week at the club.

"Wycherley has been brilliant for the club for more than 25 years, but in the last couple of seasons they have just gone backwards. If Ainsworth has been made promises then you can't really blame him for leaving. 

"If they go into next season without any investment then it will be another tough one, they could slide potentially through League Two.

"It was no real surprise, we have seen it before, there have been potential investment rumours for years. It has all fallen flat so I am not surprised again.

"The owner has got to come out and say something, come out and tell us what is going on, otherwise Saturday could get quite ugly I think."