Under-18s to take on Loughborough University
Shrewsbury Town’s Under-18s start their pre-season campaign later today when they take on Loughborough University in a friendly.
This is the first of five games to be played on British soil, whilst the squad will also travel to Denmark to play in the prestigious Iber Cup.
“We’ve gone for a combination of senior teams and youth teams, the types of games that we will face week to week.
“I think pre-season is a good opportunity for us to play senior sides in general because it’s a different test. It’s physical, more physical than the league we play in, and that poses different challenges.
“This year we also build-up to a tournament in Denmark, so we’ve got a combination of Under-18s games, senior games and competitive games, so the balance of pre-season is really good this year.”
The scholars will take on two Welsh Premier League sides in Newtown and Llandudno, and Ramsay believes they are good markers as to where the players are at.
“I think in previous seasons what’s been shown is that our first and second-year professionals will go out to the League of Wales and do well, but still find it competitive.
“For us, as an Under-18s team, playing against senior players at that level is a really good test. I don’t think we will be going to those teams, should they play full strength, and do well score-wise, but it’s the right challenge for our players and one I hope they rise to it.”
A full list of youth team pre-season fixtures can be found here.