I guess that this - 01743 360 111 - is their old number? Does it tell you to ring the 0871 number?

I suspect that if they have moved and only released an 0871 number, it will be extremely difficult to find the underlying geographic number. However, other forum members have better "geographic number tracing skills" than I have, and may be able to find something for you.

Firstly, may I suggest you contact the management at the club saying that you are not happy that your are being forced to call a premium 9 pence per minute number (from a BT landline, that is). Some names are here. Email addresses appear to be firstname.lastname@shrewsburytown.co.uk

The menu that answers the 0871 isn't forced to have an 01/02 alternative. It might be that when an option is selected it puts you through to an 01/02 number.

A Google of the STFC website for 01743 (see here) reveals, apart from 01743 360111, a few direct numbers for people/departments at the club. They are 01743 356623 and 01743 356316. They are still in service and I was hoping that there would be a block of numbers like 01743 3566xx, but nearby numbers are residential, so unlikely.

A search of BT Phone Book for "Shrewsbury Town" in SY2 reveals the the three numbers mentioned in the previous paragraph and gives their address as Gay Meadow.

If you do email and you get a reply, there may be a 01743 direct number on the reply which may be of use in finding out what the proper number(s) are for the club.

I was about to give up, then I decided to see what provider the 0871 number is allocated to. The 0871 811 prefix is allocated to Gamma Telecom Holdings Ltd and there is one 01743 prefix held by Gamma. It is 01743 29 (change date 03/2004).

I started at 01743 290000 and most answered with some answering service. I got to 01743 290010 and it was answered "Welcome to Shrewsbury Town Football Club..." followed by the menu. This same menu is also available on 01743 290011 through to 290019.

If you do contact the club, don't tell them you know the 01743 numbers as they are likely to have them changed !!

I've added them to the database so don't mention Say no to 0870 either, as we don't want them to find them in there.

jgxenite wrote on Jul 28^th, 2007 at 9:06pm:

They are available for download from Ofcom's website on this page. Note that the spreadsheets show numbers without leading 0 and refer to number lengths excluding leading 0.

You can look up the same information on UK Phone Information or MagSys code lookups.

The information on these websites is taken from Ofcom's website, so Ofcom's pages will be the most up to date.

jgxenite wrote on Jul 28^th, 2007 at 10:19pm:

It is in no way a cast iron way to find out numbers. The communications providers of NGN and GN aren't forced to be the same and there's the small matter of a block of geographical numbers usually being 10000 large! Fortunately, in this case, it was easy to find.

timogallon wrote on Jul 29^th, 2007 at 10:46pm:

Remember that there is (as far as we know) NO geographical number published at all. The menu has various departments and finally an option for selecting an extension number. So there appears to be no direct dialling in where you can dial straight to a particular extension from outside.

This means that all callers are (presumably) forced to call via the 0871 (not just those buying tickets) and therefore they incur a charge from the point the menu answers. Even if the extension doesn't answer, it's cost them in call charges. Higher charges will apply from mobiles. It must be a nice little moneyspinner then.

timogallon wrote on Jul 29^th, 2007 at 10:46pm:

Hmm, not sure. I was going to suggest that you avoid posting it, so Google won't find it. Instead, provide a link to the Say No To 0870 Search page. This will also provide publicity for Say No To 0870, which I'm sure you'll agree, is no bad thing. However, if they do see it, it will lead the trail straight back here...