Two honours for Shrewsbury Town's Graham Turner
Shrewsbury Town boss Graham Turner has been handed a double award boost – with a nomination for League Two manager of the month and a coveted place in the club hall of fame. Shrewsbury Town boss Graham Turner has been handed a double award boost – with a nomination for League Two manager of the month and a coveted place in the club hall of fame. Turner steered Shrewsbury to four league wins and two defeats in September, as well as overseeing an impressive Carling Cup performance against Arsenal. His rivals for the managerial award are Paul Sturrock - boss of League Two leaders Southend, who beat Shrewsbury 3-0 on Friday evening - Swindon's Paulo Di Canio and Terry Brown of AFC Wimbledon. But it is the place among Shrewsbury's inaugural list of legends that is likely to mean the most to the Town chief. [24link] Full report in today's Shropshire Star
On the eve of his 64th birthday, Turner was today unveiled alongside former striker Alf Wood as the last two of 10 men who will be inducted into the hall of fame at a special dinner on Thursday evening.
Defender-cum midfielder Turner made 342 League starts for Shrewsbury, but it is his managerial exploits which have guaranteed his place in folklore.
In a six year stint from 1978 to 1984, he guided Town to two FA Cup quarter-finals – creating a reputation for giant-killing acts – and won the division three title before establishing Town in the second tier of English football.
Spells in charge of Aston Villa, Wolves and Hereford – where he doubled up as chairman – followed before he returned to attempt to rekindle his glory days at Shrewsbury last summer.
The hall of fame has been completed with the induction of the popular Wood, signed initially from Manchester City as a defender in 1966 before being converted into a striker by Harry Gregg.
In six seasons at Gay Meadow, Wood scored 74 times from 283 starts.
Thursday's celebration dinner – where Arthur Rowley, Frank Clarke, Coilin Griffin, Ken Mulhearn, Peter Dolby, Mickey Brown, Tommy Lynch and supporters figurehead Chris Smith will also be inducted into the hall of fame – takes place at the Greenhous Meadow.
By CHRIS HUDSON
