Shrewsbury commentator Stuart is still the talk of the town after 25 years

And after a quarter-of-a-century, with 1,200 games under his hat, one of the best-loved local football commentators in the country is enjoying his boyhood dream as much as ever.

Stuart Dunn, 45, grew up an ardent Town fan and would stand on the Riverside at Gay Meadow cheering his Salop side on.

But, not content to merely watch on, Stuart grew a passion for the game and made it his mission to work in the industry. He still cannot believe his luck at how it's all played out.

It all began against Wrexham, in a Autoglass Trophy defeat at Wrexham on a midweek night. Two-and-a-half decades later, having seen 11 permanent managers come and go, he still delivers every blue and amber goal with as much vigour.

"I always wanted to be a commentator. I wanted to be something connected with the game, reporting or writing about it," he said.

"My lucky break, when I was 12, was BBC Radio Shropshire opening and I would walk by the station on my way to school.

"That was fantastic to me as a boyhood supporter who would stand on the Riverside with my dad from eight onwards.

"As the years went on I'd call in and James Bond gave me a chance doing a junior final at Gay Meadow. Then I was given a go in 1993 at that game in Wrexham and from there it's gone on.

"Here we are 1,200 games behind the mic later. I love it as much as ever.

"Like a lot of kids, when you're kicking a ball around, you're almost subliminally commentating and describing what's going on.

"I would listen to Radio 2, which pre-dates Radio 5, to TV guys Brian Moore, Barry Davies and John Motson and thought 'wouldn't it be fantastic to do that for a career?'

"I love following the club. I always say to people 'if I wasn't lucky enough to do what I do then I'd be watching the team on a regular basis.

"It is my home town team, I've been following from the age of eight and I still can't believe my good fortune to be watching them up and down the land and reporting their highs and lows.

"It's something I really, really enjoy.

"You can never predict what the future has in store. I genuinely enjoy it now as much as I did when I first picked up a mic.

"Through doing it I've met so many interesting people from all walks of life, not just managers and players but supporters too.

Stuart last missed a match since August 2009, a 1-1 draw at the New Meadow against Chesterfield.

He has been absent for no more than a handful of competitive Salop matches since the turn of the millennium.

FACT FILE

First game memories?

It was September 28, 1993, a midweek Autoglass Trophy tie at the Racecourse Ground which Shrewsbury lost 3-1. Mark Taylor scored Town’s goal. It was in the days before Radio Shropshire had full commentary of every Town game, so we would do a match preview, half time report, full time report and updates in each half. I remember being nervous but excited at the same time. I can’t believe it’s 25 years ago!

Best press food sampled?

I never used to eat before games but that’s most certainly changed down the years. The hospitality at Arsenal when Town went to the Emirates Stadium in the League Cup in 2011 was something else. There was so much choice and it was delicious. But I’m just as happy with a cup of coffee and a pie.

Best/most luxurious press box? Any ground where there’s not any technical issues is a good one in my book. The view from the broadcasting gantry high above Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane is fantastic. It looked even better when Town won there 4-2 one night in 2015. The view offered from the gantry at Leeds United’s Elland Road was similarly impressive. I always like going to Bradford City, a spacious press box, great views and a good club to visit. I enjoyed the trip to West Ham last season. Much had been made ahead of Town’s FA Cup third round replay about the press box and stands being quite a way from the pitch, but it was fine, and everyone associated with the Hammers was very welcoming.

Top three favourite away grounds? That’s tough as there’s quite a few for different reasons. I love traditional grounds and, although it’s been a while since we were last there with Shrewsbury - an FA Cup third round tie which ended 1-1 in 1996 - I would definitely have to include Fulham’s Craven Cottage in the top three. It has so much character, just like Portsmouth’s Fratton Park, which is also right up there as one of the favourites. To complete the top three, I’ll go for Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane.

Favourite match commentated on? Where do you start? In terms of importance, I would have to say the Conference play-off final against Aldershot at Stoke in 2004. It was not a particularly great game, but there was so much at stake and the feeling at the end when Town, thanks to goalkeeper Scott Howie’s brilliance at saving penalties, completed their target of a swift return to the Football League was incredible. As for pure drama, the 3-2 FA Cup fourth round victory at home to Sheffield Wednesday in January 2016, with Jack Grimmer heading a stoppage time winner, was so enjoyable. Both legs of the League One play-off semi-final against Charlton last season were exciting, as was Nigel Jemson’s late goal knocking Everton out of the FA Cup at Gay Meadow in 2003, and the second legs of the play-off semis at MK Dons, with Andy Cooke scoring twice, and at Bury a couple of years later where Kevin McIntyre’s late goal was followed by a Town victory on penalties.

Top three favourite Salop player commentated on? That’s such a tough one to choose as well. It’s almost impossible to limit it to just three. Given the outstanding talent he showed as a teenage goalkeeper and what he’s gone on to achieve, Joe Hart has to be in there. The emergence from the youth team of the likes of Paul Evans, Dave Edwards and Luke Rodgers, who was such an exciting striker when he burst into the first team and scored lots of fine goals, was great to see. Connor Goldson, Ryan Woods and Jon Taylor also served Town well after starting off in the youth team. Grant Holt’s one season as a Town player saw him underline his class with 28 goals and lots of quality performances. There’s so many more I could mention as well, including several of last season’s team which went so close to gaining promotion to the Championship.

Best opposition player commentated on? Gianfranco Zola was simply brilliant when he helped Chelsea beat Town 4-0 in the FA Cup fourth round one Sunday night at Gay Meadow in 2003. He scored twice, including a stunning chip over goalkeeper Ian Dunbavin.

Best stadium DJ/music? I love the music at Rochdale. We sit right next to the DJ, Dave Sweetmore, and he takes requests, so usually ends up playings lots of Manchester area bands from the 1980s and 90s like The Smiths, Stone Roses, Inspiral Carpets, Happy Mondays, New Order and Oasis. It’s always a highlight of a trip to Rochdale.

Toughest conditions commented in? Scunthorpe away in the snow last season was without doubt the coldest I’ve ever been at a football match. Commentating from behind the goal at Boston United and, once when the ground was being redeveloped, at Blackpool was a challenge when the ball was at the far end of the pitch. We also had technical difficulties for Town’s FA Cup tie at Blyth Spartans in 2008 which meant I missed quite a lot of the action in the first half. It wasn’t a great day all round as Town were beaten 3-1 in the first round. It was a long way home from Northumberland that day.