'LG 1 FINANCES ARE SO CRAZY'

NEW Shrewsbury Town boss Gareth Ainsworth says outgoing owner Roland Wycherley has been priced out of “crazy” League One.

- Chris Dunlavy

Birmingham’s relegation from the Championship, in addition to promotions for big-spending Stockport and Wrexham, have turned the third-tier into a rich man’s playground.

The American-backed Blues paid £12m to sign Fulham striker Jay Stansfield, whilst Wrexham spent a total of £2m on the likes of midfielder Ollie Rathbone and forward Modou Faal.

Shrewsbury, meanwhile, relied entirely on free transfers and began the weekend rock bottom of the division.

Wycherley, who made his fortune in the vending industry before buying the club in 1996, is now in the process of selling up to an anonymous investor and Ainsworth feels he had no alternative.

“Over the years, this division has probably run away from the smaller clubs, of which Shrewsbury is undoubtedly one,” said the 51-year-old, who replaced the sacked Paul Hurst a week and a half ago with the backing of the club’s prospective new owner.