Thousands of football fans in Shrewsbury for European tie

About 2,000 Swedish football fans will walk through Shrewsbury on Thursday afternoon to attend a Europa Conference League match.

Oswestry’s The New Saints (TNS) take on Djurgarden at 17:45 GMT in their fourth group stage game at the home of Shrewsbury Town.

The club is playing its home fixtures for the European Competition at Croud Meadow, 20 miles away from usual ground Park Hall, which does not meet Uefa regulations.

Ch Supt Edd Williams from West Mercia Police said: “The local community do not need to be concerned if they see a large gathering in the town.”

More than 4,000 tickets have already been sold for the match, with tickets also available to buy on the gate.

Police reassured Shrewsbury residents that increased numbers of officers would be patrolling the vicinity and engaging with supporters in the town centre.

“The local community can expect to see Swedish football fans making their way to the stadium from the town centre from around 15:30 GMT,” Ch Supt Williams said.

“We expect the fans to be in good spirits as they walk to the stadium.”

He reminded supporters it was an offence to bring pyrotechnic materials into the ground.

“We will not accept any violent or intimidatory behaviour, and if you see our officers out and about, please take the opportunity to come and have a chat,” he added.

Reigning Cymru Premier champions TNS made football history as the first domestic Welsh club to win in the league or group stage of a major European competition.