Town's training ground ready by September

Work has started on installing new drainage to the three pitches at Sundorne Castle by contractors Amenity, who were awarded a contract worth £188,000.

Caldwell and chairman Roland Wycherley are now in talks about the specification for the main building, which will include a restaurant, kitchen, physio's room, changing rooms and offices.

Caldwell, who oversaw a similar project at St Mirren, said: "I think it will be fit for purpose.

"It's not going to be like Manchester United or Manchester City – but, for the size of our club, it will be fantastic.

"It will have three grass pitches, accommodation for the first team and it's within the Shrewsbury area, so it will be great for the club and the town."

Asked if it would be of League One standard, Caldwell said: "Absolutely. We can expect decent grass pitches.

"The chairman and myself and Dave Saltman from Amenity have had a number of meetings to make sure we get the pitches right.

"Hence the investment of £188,000 purely on drainage, irrigation and making sure the levels and the grass are as Micky (Mellon, manager) and the players expect.

"We spent £250,000 on the pitches at St Mirren and this is a very similar project, so we're very grateful to Dave for assisting us with costs."

Caldwell is hoping the work will be finished by the start of next season.

He said: "We're hoping at some point in August or September we should have the players and the management team working from there.

As for the building, Caldwell said: "We want the first team, the manager and coaching staff to be based there, so it's important they have a restaurant, kitchen, physio's room, a gym and office space.

"At St Mirren, we used a modular building, similar to the Community Hub, so we're looking at that because they can be adapted and they're cheaper than bricks and mortar.

"Hopefully, it will also assist with the recruitment of players."