Exclusive: Joe Jacobson urges Shrewsbury Town takeover action - it "needs to happen" | OneFootball

League One Shrewsbury Town have effectively been up for sale for the best part of the last four years

Shrewsbury Town need to see a takeover of the club from Roland Wycherley happen in order to boost stability at the League One club, claims EFL veteran-turned-pundit Joe Jacobson.

Shrewsbury have been up for sale for over three years with concrete interest arriving in September, meaning the majority of their current campaign has been set against the backdrop of an uncertain future.

After 10 consecutive seasons in League One, rock-bottom Shrewsbury look doomed to be playing League Two football next term.

But despite noises of an impending takeover, long-serving chairman Wycherley remains in control of the club.

Shrewsbury Town still up for sale despite nearly four-year wait

After announcing that he was confident in a sale in September, Roland Wycherley remains chairman and owner of Shrewsbury Town.

A six-month period of exclusivity for a potential buyer expired at the end of March, with an unnamed American businessman pulling out of a multi-million-pound purchase of the club.

In a club statement, Shrewsbury shared that: “Our prospective owners remain embroiled in a lengthy and complex legal dispute unrelated to football.

“Their ongoing situation has demanded much of their time and attention, preventing them from dedicating the necessary focus to acquiring the club.”

It was not the first takeover of the club that has failed, with two local investors agreeing a fee with Wycherley before pulling out.

Mike Harris, a boyhood Shrewsbury fan that owns neighbours The New Saints in the Cymru Premier, made a bid in September and has again restated his interest in taking the club off of Wycherley’s hands.

EFL veteran Joe Jacobson believes that a takeover is needed to bring an end to the uncertainty, whilst also providing Shrewsbury much needed stability off the pitch after a torrid campaign on it.

Speaking exclusively to Football League World, Jacobson shared: “I think just for the stability of the club, I think the takeover (is needed).

“Because it's being spoken about so much. Roland Wycherley, who's been the owner there for a long, long time did an incredible job, built the club to what it is today.

“He built the stadium and training ground, and everything that's good about Shrewsbury Town is because of Roland Wycherley.

“He's getting some unprecedented stick at the minute.

“I feel like they haven't been able to invest and he's put all the money in himself, there's no debt on the club.

“I think once the owner starts talking about wanting to sell or move on, or get a new investment in, I think it just needs to happen.”

Joe Jacobson: Roland Wycherley one of the best owners in the EFL

Joe Jacobson went on to reiterate his belief that Roland Wycherley had been a huge positive for Shrewsbury during his 29-year-long tenure of the Shropshire club.

Wycherley led Shrewsbury’s move away from flood-prone Gay Meadow to their current Oteley Road home, where attendances have far exceeded their previous crowds at their old stadium.

However, Jacobson feel it is the right time for Wycherley to step away, with his legacy intact.

“I think for everyone around the club, to get the fans back excited again, I think a takeover needs to happen," he added.

“But that's not because they've had a bad owner.

“They've had one of the best owners in the whole EFL for a long, long time.”