Popular Shrewsbury Town defender Ben Herd believes the club will not have a better chance of grabbing a slice of League Two glory than this season.
And he is urging his team-mates to take the opportunity – because he reckons it’s about time Town began to repay the fans for their loyalty.
Herd has been impressed by the quality of Paul Simpson’s six summer signings and feels Town have what it takes to emerge as strong challengers in a division which looks to be wide open.
“I would say since I’ve been here this will be the best year to get out of this division,” said Herd, who has spent this week at the club’s Spanish training camp. “That’s purely because the teams who have come down from League One lack financial muscle.
“I think Gillingham will do well but the likes of Luton are going to find it tough because of the points situation (they have been docked 30 points). Bournemouth are struggling for money as well so if there is a good time to get out of this division, I think it could be this season.”
Herd knows Town are due a good season after the huge disappointment of last term.
“Considering the poor season we had, the number of season ticket sales is great,” he said. “It’s about time we started repaying the fans. They’re decent wherever we go and they’re probably the best in this league.”
Herd revealed pre-season has been tough so far but has no complaints as he knows it’s important Town come racing out of the blocks.
“Under the previous manager we didn’t really do too much,” he said. “We did enough probably but this time it’s really pushing us and hopefully it will pay dividends in a month or two’s time.”
Herd added he was delighted with Town’s summer recruitment drive which has given the squad real strength in depth. “We’ve brought some quite big names in for League Two level and I’m pleased to have them here,” he said. “It was a bit of a surprise to see us spending money on people like Grant Holt but he’s a proven scorer at this level and hopefully he can take that on for us.”
Herd is also pleased to now be on the same side as Richard Walker, Simpson’s other striking recruit, having suffered Wembley pain thanks to Walker’s brace for Bristol Rovers in the League Two play-off final 14 months ago.
“He ruined my summer last year,” he said. “I watched the game on DVD for the first time when we broke up at the end of last season and they were two sublime finishes.
“He’s another proven goalscorer, a quality finisher, so it’s great to have him on board. I’ve not spoken to him about Wembley. I’m keeping that subject at bay as it opens up a few emotions. But if he does the business for us I’m sure it will erase the memory of Wembley or at least dampen it.”
Town, who launch their new home and away strips on Monday night, play their opening pre-season friendly at Steve Bull’s Stafford Rangers on Saturday (3pm) before taking on Premier League new boys West Bromwich Albion at Oteley Road on Tuesday (7.45pm).
l Ex-Town midfielders Asa Hall and Jamie Tolley appeared as triallists for troubled Luton in last weekend’s 4-1 friendly defeat at non-League neighbours Hitchin.
Two former Town men have new clubs with striker Mark Stallard signing for Mansfield and winger Darren Currie joining Chesterfield where he will team up with Danny Hall.