August Edition of Trust Ade!

Went on to greater things.

In this month’s ‘When Saturday Comes’ the article ‘Season in Brief’ looks at the 1938/9 season.

In a section entitled ‘Went on to greater things’, Shrewsbury Town is mentioned;

“Shrewsbury Town. The Midland League side failed in a bid to join Third Division (North), whose bottom two clubs, Hartlepools (as they were then known) and Accrington were re-elected. Shrewsbury finally made it in 1950”

And ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, Shrewsbury may just be about to embark on a journey as equally as momentous as that in 1950.

Lets face it, Town have never been as well backed financially as they are now. The new stadium has started to deliver. The chairman’s vision, prudence, drive and ambition is now bearing fruit, and Shrewsbury Town are favourites, not for the Play Offs, or just promotion, but to win the blooming League Two title!

Whilst Town fans are optimistic, I note the cautionary mood amongst the loyal brethren. Almost in shear disbelief that this is happening. Whilst last season, we expected to do well, following on from the Play Offs (and how sweet beating Lincoln 4-0 was a year ago), we then flattered to deceive. That ‘Rochdale moment’ and we never recovered, and seasoned Shrewsbury Town watchers know that despite everything you need that little back of luck. And if it desserts you, then a season of promise can quite easily fall apart.

But if we get that luck, get the fans behind us, use the massive advantage that the Porn Star (sorry – Pro Star) Stadium can give us, then the Play Offs at least should be the minimum achievement.

My fears are these. That basically if Holt or Walker gets injured then we don’t have enough in the locker to replace them. In my programme notes for Saturday I mention about 93/4. Spink and Clarke. But you had good back up in Joe Gallon, but also of course you had a winger in Mickey Brown and Paul Summerfield in midfield scoring goals. I can’t at the moment see goals coming from anywhere else, unless Ben Davies has a massive season, and that might be the key.

Ok, barring us doing something totally stupid, we wont go down. Maybe all the hard work of keeping us on the straight and narrow has finally paid off, as those that gambled with money they didn’t have, suffer administrations and points deductions.

I can’t wait for Saturday, and I’m really looking forward to it. I’m looking to good football and Town showing us what they really can do.

Yes, some concerns have been raised about the money we are spending, and obviously as a Trust, we would take a pretty dim view if the ‘family silverware’ is being mortgaged to the hilt to achieve an unsustainable aim, but I believe in the Board and the Chairman, and I believe that their efforts will be rewarded.

My friends, we start on a new journey. A new named stadium, a clip art lion, but like in 1938 when going for Football League status split the then Board and Fanbase, Town are capable of going forward, have the facilities and backing to do it, and just need the current Fanbase to buy into it and believe.

Telford may have Adidas, but WE HAVE THE SIDE!

Ade Plimmer

shrewsTRUST