How did we get here? The road to Shrewsbury Town’s takeover

Shrewsbury Town’s long-running takeover saga is finally over after an American consortium completed its purchase of the club.

The deal brings an end to years of twists and turns, failed bids and stalled negotiations - and, most significantly, Roland Wycherley’s more than 30-year ownership.

Here are some of the key moments and developments that led to the takeover being completed.

Paul Delves

In October 2021, local businessman Paul Delves was set to purchase the club and complete a takeover.

Delves joined Town’s board in 2020, shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic, before becoming Wycherley’s vice-chairman in April 2021.

Like Wycherley, Delves is a Shrewsbury supporter. He is managing director of Montgomery Waters, which previously held the stadium naming rights, and was also behind former shirt sponsor Tuffins.

Duncan Montgomery

In February 2023, Duncan Montgomery joined Salop’s board as finance director.

He was promoted to vice-chairman in September 2024 as part of a wider board restructure, with chief executive Liam Dooley - appointed in October 2023 - also becoming a director.

Montgomery and Wycherley provided £900,000 to the club in interest-free loans during the 2024/25 season as Town worked to reduce its losses.

Delves leaves

In February 2024, Delves left his roles as director and vice-chairman, deciding to focus on his other business interests.

Mike Harris

Wycherley put the club up for sale in 2024.

In September that year, Mike Harris, chairman of Cymru Premier side The New Saints, attempted to buy Shrewsbury.

Harris confirmed the approach on social media in April 2025, shortly after an American takeover attempt collapsed in March following six months of exclusivity.

Harris was understood to be one of three parties interested in buying the club at the time.

Daily Mail interview

In October 2025, the Daily Mail published an interview with Wycherley in which he opened up about his attempts to sell the club and the personal abuse he had received.

The former vending machine businessman revealed that 18 different prospective buyers had visited the club and expressed an interest.

Wycherley also said he had put £3.4m into Town since the Covid-19 pandemic to “keep it going”.

He added that he no longer felt able to go to Sainsbury’s after receiving abuse there.

Collapsed deals

Two takeover negotiations collapsed in 2025.

Talks with an American buyer broke down in March, while a second deal with a different party fell through six months later.

The club insisted there was continued interest in a takeover, but nothing substantial materialised until this year.

Losses

Town had also been working to reduce their financial losses.

In February 2026, the club confirmed losses of £600,000 for the year to June 2025 - covering the 2024/25 season in which Salop were relegated to League Two.

That represented a significant improvement on the £1.6m deficit recorded the previous year.

In his report, Wycherley said he took “no pleasure” in outlining the “difficult actions” the club had been forced to take since 2023 to improve its financial stability.

Deal agreed & completed

In recent months, Town came closer than ever to being sold.

In mid-June, the club announced that an agreement had been reached with the American consortium for its purchase, subject to the necessary regulatory approvals.

The prospective owners subsequently passed the relevant owners’ and directors’ tests.

The club announced the news a day after frustrated supporter groups had sent an open letter to Wycherley demanding greater clarity over the process.

The final stages then took place, with the remaining documentation completed over the past few months.

And now, after more than 30 years under Wycherley, a new era has officially begun at Shrewsbury Town.