Ground: Gay Meadow

Capacity: 8,000

Last season: 15th

Manager: Ged King

Ins: Mark Winstanley defender from Burnley, free.

Outs: Brian Gayle defender released; Devon White striker released; Mark Williams defender released.

Chances: The portents are not good at Gay Meadow. Even the Shrews' own fan base believe the drop beckons, if a local survey is any guide. Quizzed about Shrewsbury's year 2000 prospects, 70 percent of supporters said the cash-starved club would either struggle or be relegated. Shrewsbury are reckoned not to have a brace of half-pennies to rub together, so manager Ged King is going to need a magic lamp or outrageous good fortune to put a smile back on the Shrews' faces. However, he has ditched plans to sign former Swedish Under 21 striker who scored in a 3-0 pre-season victory at non-League neighbours Oswestry Town. He thought the player was too lightweight for the rigours of the Third Division.

One to watch: Lee Steele. Top scorer for the past two seasons striker Steele is increasingly under the gaze of higher-placed clubs. If he goes, so too could Shrewsbury.

Title odds: 33-1