Military matchday taking place this weekend

Shrewsbury Town's annual Military Matchday has been cleared for take off – with the club honouring armed forces personnel before and during our match against Crewe Alexandra.

Our 12th Military Matchday will take place this Saturday and will see hundreds of personnel attend and watch the game, showcasing the commitment and skill of the military.

Organised by Shrewsbury Town, the Shrewsbury Town Foundation and the Shropshire Council Armed Forces Covenant team, the event famously sees the match ball arrive by helicopter.

As has become tradition, this match ball will be delivered to the Croud Meadow by a Juno helicopter from Number 1 Flying Training School based at RAF Shawbury.

It will then be presented to Sqn Ldr Andy Smailes from RAF Shawbury who will be standing pitch side. 

Paddy Durnin, the Station Commander at RAF Shawbury, said: “The Military Matchday at Shrewsbury Town Football Club is one of our favourite events of the year.

“It represents the amazing support RAF Shawbury and all current and former serving military personnel receive from communities and organisations across Shropshire.

"We are very proud of our strong mutual links with Shrewsbury Town Football Club and Shropshire Council, as operated through the Armed Forces Covenant.

“We hope our personnel, families and veterans enjoy the day, as well as well as supporters and members of the public who come and see the military displays in Fan Zone before the match.”

A large number of military personnel will be at Saturday's game – with a military village set up in our FanZone where supporters can speak to members of the armed forces and get an understanding of some of the equipment they use.