Shrewsbury skipper Carl Winchester pays tribute to his nearest and dearest after 500th game

The Shrewsbury Town skipper came on in the second half of Town's 1-0 defeat to Leyton Orient at the weekend, and with that, he registered a major landmark in his football career. 

The 31-year-old lives over in the UK as he captains Shrewsbury, but his partner and young daughter live in Northern Ireland. 

And Winchester says moments like these make the sacrifices feel more worthwhile. 

He said: "It means a lot to myself, my family, my friends and everyone back home. 

"Coming over to England, I always wanted to play football and it is great to have reached this milestone.

"I think it is one of those things that I probably won't recognise until it is all said and done and over with. 

"I will look back and think I have achieved something really special there. But it is a proud moment for me. 

"It was a couple of weeks ago when I started checking, and I just thought if I can get to that milestone, it will be a great achievement. 

"It is for myself but for everyone back home who has sacrificed so much for me to be here."

Shrewsbury could not keep their good run in east London as they were beaten by Richie Wellens' team after Jamie Donley's goal just past the hour mark. 

The defeat put an end to Shrewsbury's recent run, which had seen them go four games without defeat. 

Town had been closing the gap to those above them, and at one stage they were just five points adrift of 20th place, just two weeks ago that had been 10. 

But after results went against Town, and their own loss at Brisbane Road that has stretched to eight - but Winchester says Salop have shown progress in the last few weeks. 

He said: "For a milestone, you would want to win, but it is a tough place to come - they are in good form, and I thought we did well in spells. 

"We could be better though. We came into this game unbeaten in four, so there are a lot of positives to take from the Christmas period. 

"It is about building now and taking the ideas that the gaffer has installed in the lads and keep moving forward. 

"The Christmas period shows you that the lads are capable of doing it. If you put in performances and you never give up then you can always get results, and I think that is what the gaffer talks to the lads about."

Winchester himself only returned to the Salop team on New Year's Day after he had spent three weeks out with a knee injury. 

Salop will have to dust themselves down this week as they prepare for a tough January - Huddersfield visit the Croud Meadow next weekend.