Omar Beckles vows Shrewsbury Town won’t be nearly men

The popular defender, who netted his first goal for Town last weekend, says the players are well aware of the shot at greatness they have given themselves this season, writes Lewis Cox.

Town’s promotion credentials face another stiff examination tomorrow as in-form Plymouth, with just one league defeat in 11, visit Montgomery Waters Meadow.

But with Paul Hurst’s men sitting pretty in second with 61 points – just a handful of wins from all-but guaranteeing a play-off position – and 90 minutes from a Wembley final, the opportunity at making history is not lost on Beckles or his team-mates.

“For the fans I guess it might be overwhelming, although I can’t speak for them,” he explained.

“Stepping into this season, with the drastic change that it’s been, being on the brink of Wembley, on the brink of a few more games and you’re in the Championship or whatever.

“I know it means a lot to those fans. From being in a position where you’re scrapping, it can be draining. So there’s a bit of relief to say that we can now celebrate doing well.”

Beckles, a centre-half by trade, has grown into the left-back position in Hurst’s squad ever since the unfortunate season-ending injury to Junior Brown.

On-loan Derby man Max Lowe has yet to budge the bustling yet technical defender from Hurst’s first-team thoughts.

His header last week was a first goal in Town colours after 27 outings for the Londoner following his move from Accrington Stanley in the summer.

He added: “It’s for the boys too. On a personal note, the boys want to make history for themselves.

“It does a lot for the players’ careers, the young lads, the old lads. Not everyone gets a shot at Wembley.

“There’s a lot to look forward to for us. I know we still have a long way to go but there is so much for us to play for and it means so much to each and every one of us.

“But nobody is taking it for granted.”

Beckles is not interested in suggestions that Town will fall by the wayside in their hunt for glory.

The 26-year-old is confident that, with the help of Shrewsbury’s support, dreams of promotion and silverware can be realised. “But we don’t want to look back on it at the end of the season and say ‘oh we nearly made it, it was a good time but we nearly got promoted or nearly made Wembley’,” he insisted.

“That’s not what we’re about.

“We’re hoping that the fans can push us over the line – they’ve done that many times for us this season.

“We need them to get behind us. We need to keep going and then look back at the end of the season and say ‘we did it’, not nearly or we were close.”

Town have 10 of their remaining 17 league games to play at the Meadow and Beckles gives assurance that Town are ready to put in another shift in front of superb support.

“It’ll be a game that’s full of energy, but all the lads want is three points,” he added.

“You’ll see the same as usual. A hard-working bunch of lads that are putting a shift in for the points.

“It’s always good to play in front of your home supporters and they’ve been outstanding this season.”