Wembley play-off final: Shrewsbury Town's dog-lover Paul Hurst has hopes of ruff-justice

One of the Shrewsbury manager’s pastimes when home from his stopovers in Shropshire is walking the family dog – a Cavapoo named Archie – around the rural setting.

Hurst is a legend at Rotherham, the club he spent his entire career with aside from a brief loan at Burton before he retired.

His spell as a feisty full-back in Millers red spanned 15 years and 494 appearances in all competitions – also the record league appearance maker.

Tomorrow’s League One play-off final between Shrewsbury and Rotherham has been a hot topic around town, especially on Hurst’s and Archie’s dog walks.

“Yes, true, I could get grief,” the boss said at the prospect of denying the Millers an instant return to the Championship in favour of his current employers.

“But I try to find some fields where there’s not too many people, just a bit of wildlife.”

When asked if Millers fans could be the ones throwing sticks, he smiled and replied: “That’s true, or throwing something else!

“I’m looking forward to it. It seems like fate’s thrown this game up.

“People were saying about fate but not what the ending was, that’s the bit I’m interested to find out.

“I do enjoy the dog walking, particularly when the weather is nice, but at times I don’t have too much choice.

“Basically it’s ‘you haven’t been at home, you need to walk the dog – as I’ve been doing it for the past few days while you’ve been away’.”

Hurst’s route may come under threat if his blue and amber troops do the business at Wembley.

“In fairness, I would say my neighbours are nice people,” he added. “I would say there are more avid Rotherham supporters around I’m sure.”

Goalkeeper coach Danny Coyne has provided Hurst with an interesting idea regarding tactics, team selection and footballing decisions in general.

Might the decision to start Carlton Morris or Stefan Payne at Wembley tomorrow rest on the throw of a stick?

“It’s nice, it does provide me with some moments to switch off or have happy thoughts,” Hurst continued.

“I haven’t got quite as far as what Danny Coyne suggested. He talked about one manager that would throw a stick or two. If the dog brought one back it was who was going to play or something like that.

“I haven’t quite gone that far just yet, despite my superstitions, but it might be something to do in the future.”

Hurst is close friends with Rotherham chief Paul Warne, his former team-mate. As is the case with the New York Stadium’s No.2 Richie Barker, coach Matt Hamshaw and keeper coach Mike Pollitt.

His affinity with the Millers shines through as he added: “For me it doesn’t change any thoughts towards that football club or what’s gone in the past.

“I’d be the first to say I hope they get promoted next season if that happened (we beat them).”

And if Town lose?

“It would be extremely hard to take on the day but I would be pleased for that football club and the lads in particular that you know,” said Hurst. “Unfortunately we’re in the situation of us against them and there’s only one to win.”