Young Shrewsbury Town side to face non-league club in pre-season clash

A young Shrewsbury Town side will take on Stafford Rangers next month as part of the club's preparations for the new season.

Salop's youngsters are set to travel to the Northern One West outfit on Tuesday, July 14, with kick-off scheduled for 7.45pm.

It is understood Town will field a youthful squad made up predominantly of academy players and younger under-23 members, rather than senior first-team players.

Shrewsbury's under-18s are also scheduled to face Fleetwood Town on Saturday, August 1, in another pre-season friendly as they continue their preparations for the upcoming campaign.

The academy enjoyed a memorable season last year, with the under-18s crowned champions of both the EFL Youth Alliance North West Division and the overall North title.

They narrowly missed out on becoming national champions after suffering defeat to AFC Wimbledon.

Head coach Gavin Cowan has already highlighted the opportunities pre-season could provide for young players to force their way into first-team contention.

While the club's youngsters prepare for their own pre-season programme, the first team will head to the Isle of Man next month to take part in the island's Summer Festival of Football.

Shrewsbury are set to face National League North side Radcliffe on Friday, July 17. Depending on the result, they will then meet either FC Isle of Man or Bury in the final or third-place play-off on Sunday, July 19.

Afterwards, Shrewsbury will face Hereford in a pre-season friendly on Tuesday, July 28.

The fixture at Stafford Rangers will provide an opportunity for the next generation of Salop talent to showcase their abilities and stake a claim for involvement in Cowan's plans ahead of the new season.