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Post by wiganshrew2 on Jun 2, 2005 23:14:25 GMT 1
This is after my night out!! I've had a few drinks! I realise that many of you have supported Town for twenty years or more. I'm a more recent "convert" maybe. But it's like this. When Paul McCartney married his first wife, Linda Eastman, a distraught fan asked him why. He simply replied "I fell in Luv, luv!!!" It was like that with me and Shrewsbury Town. I hadn't taken any real interest in any Football team up to then. My Dad had worked at Shrewsbury and I always had a good feeling for the town- nearest big town to where I lived, in Market Drayton. So, I suppose we were nominal Shrews! But I'd been doing a demanding job that tends to be a way of life, bringing up a family, then later, looking after my old Mum. Yes- I admit - it was Everton that sent Shrewsbury back screaming into my concsciousness. I fell in luv, luv- and that was it. But it wasn't with one man- it was with 11!! People could have said, "It won't survive!" Not something like that- but "the drop" didn't make one iota of difference. I've loved Shrewsbury Town through the Conference and through the time when it looked like we were headed back down there. Like we all feel- it's a love that sometimes hurts. I've never known the glory days, except what I read in the papers. Does that make me a second rate supporter? Probably!! Do I care about being a second rate supporter? NO!! I just know that I love Shrewsbury Town and that's that!! I just do the best I can to show it!! Because I'm a "late starter" I sometime think I've got to pack a lifetime of support into a shorter time-span. So I tend to wear my Blue- and- Amber Heart on my sleeve "ad nauseum"- and write to the papers, use the excuse of going in for Radio Shropshire competitions so I can talk about Shrewsbury Town!! I'm a sad case, no doubt!! So- that's my story. No doubt yours is a lot more noble and credible!! But we all have the same thing in common. We love Shrewsbury Town and have the same hopes and dreams that a new and exciting era beckons for the team we love!!
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Post by Impromptushrew on Jun 3, 2005 6:54:18 GMT 1
Here Here Im afraid it wasnt that different. When I used to be hanging out of the 5th floor windows watching the players then training on the pitch 24 years ago that was where my interest started. I have wained over the past few years with other commitments and life in general but over the years Shrewsbury has always been my No 1 team For the past few years I have been back rain, shine and snow ups and downs and downs and downs now hopefully ups all the way!!!!!!!!!! Shrewsbury is my No1 and I hope we have a great season
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Post by Dan F on Jun 3, 2005 7:22:33 GMT 1
My uncle extolled the stories of his time at Town when I was very young and basically brainwashed me into becoming a Town fan. Luckily that was before I left Shrewsbury so it saved me from a lifetime of local non-league footy
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Post by MartinB on Jun 3, 2005 7:33:14 GMT 1
Always been interested in football, once I had seen the best team in the world play there was no one else to support. notworthy notworthy
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Post by timgallon on Jun 3, 2005 8:45:40 GMT 1
Always been interested in football, once I had seen the best team in the world play there was no one else to support. You're a Brazil fan then Martin?
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Post by john on Jun 3, 2005 9:04:05 GMT 1
Was going to come down with my brother in 73 to watch a game v Port Vale, but whilst he went in I went to my grans for tea instead, that was until about 4:30 and I made my way from Column to GM, when I got in free. It wasnt until 75 when I next came again and from then on its history
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Post by El Huracán!!!! on Jun 3, 2005 9:10:05 GMT 1
Best thing my dad ever did for me was take his son to the Meadow and show me that there is life out side the top flight when i was young enough to develope a passion and commitment to my local club!!!
Hope i can do it for my kids one day!!!
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Post by rob on Jun 3, 2005 9:54:31 GMT 1
Sae in the knowledge my dad was bidding for some Villa tickets, I left him at the school charity auction to play football outside. Unfortunatly he was obviously suffering from selective hearing, because he bought Shrewsbury ones. From then on he argued that having to drive to Brum 5days a week he wasnt going to start driving on a saturday, which all but curtailed any chance i had of watching villa on a regular basis. Having said that, its one of the best things he ever did for me
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Post by pawlo on Jun 3, 2005 10:02:24 GMT 1
My mum started taking us down when i was about 5. She had been going down the meadow with her dad since arthur rowleys days, so its really a family affair.
In turn i did the same with my son and hopefully this year we will start to take my grandson.
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Post by wiganshrew2 on Jun 3, 2005 10:20:31 GMT 1
I hasten to add that I came to love Football as a result of becoming a committed "Shrew" rather than the other way round. Now I really LOVE FOOTBALL!! The only real experience of Football I'd had previously was T.V. football, which didn't do much for me at all. I just couldn't get into it, somehow. Now I watch a few T.V. games and take an interest, BECAUSE I've been to "real" matches and experienced the atmosphere and the excitement. It all happened in that order- decided that I wanted to support Shrewsbury Town, went to a match, loved it and decided that Football was the sport for me. It's fast, exciting, and it's skillful. It gives me a real buzz and makes me feel really alive. Wanted to learn as much as I could about Football, so I got into websites, printed off things, got myself a book or two. I had learnt a few VERY basic things about Football on a P.E. course, because we had to teach very basic ball skills to 5-7 year olds. Strangely, although I knew so little, I can spot talent when I see it- and there was a boy I knew was good. I don't know how far he got with it, but he definitely played for his next school. I'm learning all the time- and the more I learn the more I love it. Don't get the idea it was all about the men!! I'm a bit old for that!! Rather than a shirt saying "Mrs .........." It would be more appropriate for me to have one saying "...........'s MUM!!!" or Even "............'s Grandma!!!" (Especially since they're so young now!!) I'm hoping that I can pass on my love of Shewsbury Town to Leah. Both her brothers are Liverpool fans. The oldest promised to buy the little one a Liverpool kit- and that was it-it was this European Cup thing. But Leah remains faithful. The signed shirt is still hanging on her wall, with two Shrewsbury flags!!! That's my girl!!!
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Post by shrewblue on Jun 3, 2005 10:28:13 GMT 1
My dad was a Swansea fan having been brought up in the valleys above Swansea, it was left to my mum to tke me down the Meadow and what a baptism we played Bristol Rovers and we won 7-2 , I thought all the games were going to be like that, mum had been taken down there by her dad and he was taken down by his dad in term so a few generations of fans, my lads both live away as does my daughter but we meet at away grounds very often as a family reunion. Yes Town have had their ups and downs but frankly whilst we all want success I couldn't imagine what being without Shrewsbury Town would be like whatever league they are in sad....... but true!!! I love it and this close season is a major torment but more relaxing than the pressure of not getting results!
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Post by tattooshre on Jun 3, 2005 10:46:47 GMT 1
Dad took me to see the town one rainy evening in 1966. A nil nil draw with orient. How could anybody not be hooked. Been a die hard ever since. Strangely I have no memory of the world cup that year but maybe I had my priorities right even then. STFC first, everything else second. FLOREAT SALOPIA.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2005 11:20:32 GMT 1
Simple for me really. I was brought up in Bournemouth and so from about age 6 to 19 when I left home I was a Cherries supporter. Also of course I regularly went to se the Saints. When I moved to London for Uni and beyond I made a point of supporting the team local to wherever I lived. So West Ham, Crystal Palace and QPR received my support. I moved to Shrewsbury in 1981 and this is where I remain. However if I leave for any reason I will always be a Shrews supporter. There is something"else" about this little club and its fan base that sets it apart from any other I have known. Of course introducing Murray and his brother Adam to Shrewsbury Town was a natural thing to do.
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Post by theriverside on Jun 3, 2005 11:30:56 GMT 1
Always looked out for Town results in the late 70's and went to a game with a mate in 79. Visited the Meadow on and off during the 80's whilst always keeping up with how they were getting on. But moving away in 1992 really meant that STFC became a means of maintaining a link with my home town. Became a regular visitor from the 93/94 title season onwards
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Post by MartinB on Jun 3, 2005 12:39:55 GMT 1
Always been interested in football, once I had seen the best team in the world play there was no one else to support. You're a Brazil fan then Martin? you still drunk from the weekend Gallon? ;D
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2005 12:41:17 GMT 1
Came down to the Meadow, when we moved to Church Stretton and the rest is history. Could have been worse. Where I came from I could have ended up supporting Cambridge or Peterborough.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2005 12:55:09 GMT 1
Mum wouldn't take me and bruv to see a Town game at first so we went to watch Telford.
We loved it but fortunatley Telford werent at home the next week but Salop were. We enjoyed going to the Meadow much, much more - all 3 of us have hardly missed a home game since.
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Post by wiganshrew2 on Jun 3, 2005 13:12:12 GMT 1
There is something"else" about this little club and its fan base that sets it apart from any other I have known. I agree so much with that. I also sensed something "special" about Shrewsbury Town and its fans. In spite of the fact that there are now four Premiership clubs within easy reach- Liverpool, Everton, Man-U and now Wigan, I would rather travel to Shrewsbury to watch the team I love. Shrewsbury Town is MY team, it's non- negotiable!!!
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Post by robspaceman1 on Jun 3, 2005 13:25:36 GMT 1
went once or twice in the 80s as a kid, but im afraid to say peer pressure made me a Man U fan in those days... finally saw the light in 1993.
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Post by Rod on Jun 3, 2005 13:52:01 GMT 1
I'm proof that giving tickets to schools is worth while First generation Shrews fan Being from South Wales my family is rugby supporting so i had to wait till my school were given tickets to a match before i even thought about going to the Gay. Loved it haven't looked back since
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Post by WindsorShrew on Jun 3, 2005 14:04:50 GMT 1
Growing up in Donnington Shrewsbury were the big club in the area, used to go to Telford with my next door neighbour till I was about 13. Then in 78 loads of Donnington lads started to watch the Town we would come down by the coach load with Chris Smith (top bloke), met fatbobsbelly in 1980 and still attend games with him. Both my boys are Town through and through I have even converted my oldest lads best mate from Man Utd, strangly my brothers and parents can't stand football...
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Post by long time fan on Jun 3, 2005 14:13:24 GMT 1
Went on my own as a boy in 1958/59. It was a short walk from our home in Abbey Gardens. I saw Arthur Rowley play and score ! Lived in many places since but the Shrews result is the only one that counts. Finally got back to the Meadow this year after all that time. Saw the 0-0 draw against Boston. Brought my son too. But was at Wembley and at the following 6-0 thrashing away at Oxford (live in Reading now)and Brittannia Stadium!
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Post by Southern Fried Afro on Jun 3, 2005 14:15:46 GMT 1
My first proper game when I began coming every week was against Rochdale at home when Luke Rodgers scored in the last minute, I think that was the main reason I came back the next week, and the next.
Later that year I went to Hull away where we lost 3-0 and for some reason I wanted to keep going and have done ever since. Quite sexy i think
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Post by SP on Jun 3, 2005 14:48:15 GMT 1
my dad got me supporting the mighty shrews cheers dad
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Post by powell_stfc on Jun 3, 2005 15:26:31 GMT 1
I just turned up to a gam one day accidently and kept going throughout that season. The next season i became a season ticket holder and have continued this
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Post by BelleVueShrew on Jun 3, 2005 16:17:01 GMT 1
Mum and Dad took me as a babe in arms in what was the old "C" Stand, later the Wing Stand, and now the Family Stand.
I was definately born to it.
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Post by shrewforever on Jun 3, 2005 16:49:35 GMT 1
Simply a voice from God..........
I was 8 years old at the time.......
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Post by harmerhillshrew on Jun 3, 2005 19:17:33 GMT 1
Whilst at Shropshire Farm Institute, as it was called then, Walford now, 2 Town fans kept pestering me to go with them but I had better things to do on Saturday afternoons and . It was not till the Bonfire Night Derby with Hereford that I finally went. There were quite a few lads from Herefordshire at Walford and the banter leading into the game was unreal. My main reason for going, I am to say was the chance to give one particular Hereford fan at college a going over. The amount of 1p bangers going off during the game was unreal. Town won 3-0 thanks to a Sammy Irvine hat trick and I was hooked. Never got to sort the lad from Hereford out but kept going till this day. The 2 lads that got me started have not gone for the past 20 years, funny that.
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Post by Blues in Crewe on Jun 4, 2005 1:27:07 GMT 1
My Dad is a lifelong Telford fan and as long as I can remember he used to take me to all the home games there used to be a little newsagents over the road from the ground where i would get a pack of cheese and onion walkers crisps and a panda pop, I got lifted over the turnstiles untiltil I was about 8. We always stood just to the left of the goal. I was meant to go to Wembley for the cup game against Enfield but I got german measles went to the replay at West Brom though and made it to Wembley the year after (I think) against Macclesfield
anyway I have always been football crazy went to one town game with school when i was 10 but then fast forward to feb half term 1993 and a holiday soccer school where a free ticket to the saturday was included. Another girl i met on the course's mum was a steward so as she was there I was allowed to come to the games on my own. And that was me hook line and sinker, further soccer schools got me involved in the Junior Blues and I began watching fanatically from the 93/94 season
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Post by wiganshrew2 on Jun 4, 2005 13:18:57 GMT 1
There seems to be a common theme running through a lot of these "seeing the light" experiences of becoming a Shrews supporter. Come a few times and you're hooked!!!
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