2019 has been a year of consolidation for Shrewsbury Town and one where things look to be falling into place.
Last season saw the club cement another season in the Sky Bet League One, followed by a summer in which manager Sam Ricketts started to bring together his Town squad.
With the end of the year fast approaching ShrewsWeb spoke to Chairman Roland Wycherley to look back at the year.
We started by suggesting that the last twelve months has been one of consolidation and growth.
“Firstly, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our fans, their families and friends a very Merry Christmas!”
"I'm really pleased with the way that the football club is progressing and I am delighted with the steady improvements that Sam is making. I think he is showing the fans, and everyone else, that he has a strategy and that seems to be coming together and I'm really delighted with the way things are going at the moment." said the Chairman
"I think from the fan's perspective it can be difficult to get used to a new Manager as every Manager is different. Sam has come in to replace John Askey and is a young hungry and ambitious Manager and I believe the fans can now see what he is attempting to do.”
Town go into Christmas Day in a good league position after back-to-back wins against Coventry City and then Blackpool.
"Our league position is really pleasing, and around where we want to be at this stage of the season, and we are still in the Emirates FA Cup on a reasonable run at the moment."
In recent years, the club has been investing heavily in the Academy, Shrewsbury Town in the Community as well as the training ground and playing squad. All these are essential elements which help the club continue to grow and move forward.
"Shrewsbury Town is in a really good position thanks to the hard work that has been carried out by all of the staff at the club" said the Chairman.
"I'm delighted with the progress that the Academy is making as it is vital to the future and our Academy Manager, David Longwell is doing a really good job”
"Shrewsbury Town in the Community have now taken over the former PowerLeague, and Jamie Edwards and his team are doing a fantastic job throughout Shropshire and surrounding areas.
"All these strands are coming together, and that is credit to everyone working as a team on and off the pitch. We have continued to invest considerable amounts of money in the training ground, and that is a positive attraction when we come to target new players.
Having great facilities like these help to get better players to come to us and that is also vital for the future of the football club."
With 2019 coming to a close it is time to look back at the previous decade. It has been one where the club has made the Montgomery Waters Meadow home and one that has seen new memories made.
"We have been in the stadium for twelve years and are currently in our thirteenth season here", said the Chairman.
"I am delighted with the way supporters are interacting within that, and we have made some lasting memories.
The last decade has been one of steady building, we are in a good place financially with no debt of any kind.
We continue to build on that and make ourselves more sustainable, going forward. It is fantastic to see our average attendance grow to over 6,000 in the past couple of seasons and also to see so many young fans in attendance as we grow our young fanbase”
"Brian Caldwell, our CEO, had been here for almost four years and we really know how each other work. I think that can only benefit the club, and we are always looking for future and further investment to keep the club going from strength to strength."
Since moving to the Montgomery Waters Meadow, Town has spent seven of the last eight seasons in the Sky Bet League One.
"When we have spoken to the fanbase historically and asked where they believe we should be in the leagues, the majority have said they would expect us to be mid-table in League One", said the Chairman.
“That is the position we are in at the moment, but I think we are also in a position where we can aim higher than that. I hope the fans can see the commitment of everyone who works at the football club.
"I am delighted with the feel around the Club, the ambience and togetherness of the fans and staff.
That doesn't happen by chance, it takes a lot of commitment and hard work from everyone connected to Shrewsbury Town, but I am delighted how we are progressing”
"Thank you all for your support throughout the year and I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow at our Boxing Day fixture with Rotherham United.”