Bakery celebrates the Shrews v Man U Cup tie with special loaf

A Shrewsbury artisan bakery is getting behind Micky Mellon’s men with a special loaf commemorating The Shrews’ fifth round FA Cup clash with Premiership giants Manchester United – and is predicting a spicy spectacle.

Bread and Loaf, in Castle Gates, has produced The FA Cob, a yeasted football-shaped white loaf flavoured with good old Shropshire Blue cheese for the Blues, red pepper for Man U and red chilli to add spice.

“We thought it would be a bit of fun and a way of showing our support for the Blues. Not since 1990 has Shrewsbury Town got to this stage in the competition and we wanted to mark this achievement,” said baker Martin Priddy, who also celebrates his birthday on the day of the match.

“February 22 happens to be my birthday, so another reason to mark it in some way and I’m hoping for a win as a fabulous birthday present!

“We truly believe the The Blues can pull this off. They’re going to be no push over and will be giving Manchester United everything they’ve got. I’m really hoping to get a match ticket for my birthday.”

The FA Cob, baked using organic flour from Shipton Mill, in Gloucestershire, gets its shape from rising in a round Banneton proving basket before being scored to look like a football and baked in the oven. FA Cobs will go on sale at Bread and Loaf from Thursday through to Saturday priced at £3 each.

The match will be Town’s first ever competitive match against 11-time Cup winners United.

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