11 memorable Shrewsbury photos from 2004 - the life and times of the town 20 years ago

From statue restorations to the opening of the Guildhall in the county town's centre, a lot happened during 2004, including promotion for Shrewsbury Town and a helicopter crash.

Our photographers were there to capture the action, and we've had a dig through the archives to take a look back at what life was like 20 years ago.

Here are 11 photographs that show you what was happening in Shrewsbury during 2004.

Statue of Clive of India restoration

The statue of the Clive of India has stood in Shrewsbury since 1860, and was taken down on February 18 in 2004 for renovation.

Controversy surrounded the statue in 2020 when two petitions - amounting to over 23,000 signatures - were organised asking for its removal from the town centre due to Clive's role in engineering British colonial rule in India.

However, Shropshire Council decided against removing the statue and an information board was added in 2023.

Pictured is the Clive of India as it was removed from The Square, ready to be taken away for restoration.

Shrewsbury Town play-off success

After relegation in the previous season, Shrewsbury Town enjoyed an immediate, and emphatic promotion from the Conference to The Football League, and newly renamed League Two.

Town were relegated from The Football League - 53 years after they joined it - in the 2002/03 season, finishing in 24th place and bottom of the league (Division Three).

But, under the guidance of player-manager Jimmy Quinn, who signed eight players before the summer transfer window closed, Salop's stay in the conference was short-lived.

Pictured, Shrewsbury Town players celebrate with elation after a penalty shoot-out win over Barnet in their play-off semi-final at the Gay Meadow on May 3. Salop won 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw on aggregate and progressed to the final held at Stoke City's Britannia Stadium (now named Bet 365 Stadium).