Shropshire Star comment: Team can have place in history
They stand on the edge of greatness – you do not have to be a football fan to appreciate the excitement and buzz generated by a local team heading for Wembley.
Shrewsbury Town have earned it this season.
To say they have exceeded expectations is something of an understatement, as the general expectation in the league was that they would be prime relegation candidates.
Instead, under Paul Hurst, they have been consistently either at or near the top of the division, spurred on by that amazing run of 15 games unbeaten.
Now comes the pressure, the pressure that comes with hope. In the league, the campaign is approaching the final stages in which fans can dare to dream of promotion.
And on Sunday, there is a chance for glory at Wembley, with the Checkatrade Trophy final.
Up to 45,000 supporters will be there, of whom more than 11,000 will be cheering on the Town as they do sporting battle with Lincoln.
Shrewsbury and Shropshire will be in the national spotlight. The profile of the county town will be raised in the way only an epic clash at the home of English football can.
Back home, there will be another army of supporters following the game from afar. The spirit of Shropshire will be with the players.
Salopians will be looking for them to do the county town and the county proud, irrespective of the final score.
When we say irrespective of the final score, we mean that it does not matter all that much if Shrewsbury win 4-1 or by 1-0. A win is a win.
As for an adverse result, it would be a pity to go so far and achieve so much and yet not seize the big prize, especially when a chance of a double is on the cards.
For the Town to come home with this trophy would set the scene for a climax to the league season which could see it go down as one of the club’s most glorious ever.
The players will be walking in the bootsteps of greats whose names have resonated down the decades. King Arthur, of course. Big Jim. That (non-smoking) man with the big cigar. The purveyors of The Great Escape. And if you know who we’re talking about, it’s proof of their legendary status, and if you don’t, there are plenty of other heroes you can choose from.
As the players prepare to march out on to the Wembley turf, here’s our team talk – go out there, make a name for yourselves and write yourself a place in history.
