Shrewsbury skipper Ed Foster wants his table-toppers to turn on the style in front of the men who featured in the club’s finest hour in Saturday’s big local derby clash at home to Wellington (12.30pm).
A reunion of Shrewsbury’s successful team of 1983 takes place at London Road to co-incide with the Birmingham League first division match – a rare chance for the men who lifted the National Club Championship at Lord’s 25 years ago to get together.
“We always want to play well and play positively so nothing will change in that sense,” said Foster, one of several current players whose fathers starred at Lord’s. “But it would be nice to do well in front of the 1983 side as they play such a big part in the club’s history for what they did at Lord’s.
“You only have to go into our clubhouse and see the pictures and reports on the wall from that game.
“You never know what could happen in a few years’ time if this team we’ve got at the moment stay together.”
The Wellington game is part of a vital home double header for Shrewsbury over the Bank Holiday weekend with Harborne the visitors on Monday.
“These two games can go a long way towards deciding what we can achieve this season,” said Foster, hoping his side can close in on promotion to the top flight.
“Two wins will keep us massively in the hunt.”
Shrewsbury hammered county rivals Wellington by 10 wickets at Orleton Park earlier this season, but Foster expects a much tougher game on Saturday.
“I don’t think it will be that easy this time,” he said. “I didn’t play in the game at their place as I was playing for Leicestershire at Leeds, but they’ll be up for it this weekend and they’ll probably want to ruin our day.
“I think they’ve struggled with availability this season and we know how much of a problem that can be and they were also unlucky with their pro (Rhajat Bhatia).”
Shrewsbury are forced to make one change from the side who hammered basement boys Sutton Coldfield last Saturday with contracted Warwickshire paceman Tom Allin ruled out of both weekend games owing to a groin injury.
“That’s a big disappointment,” added Foster, who nevertheless has plenty of faith in Steve Barnard and Alex Blofield, the two youngsters drafted into a 12-man squad as replacements.
Spinner James Gale, meanwhile, is set to make his 100th Birmingham League appearance for the club.
Shrewsbury have a special programme of events lined up for Saturday’s celebration day with a drinks reception for invited guests at 11am ahead of the game.
There will be a hog roast later in the day and a grand draw with the prizes up for grabs including a bat signed by legendary Aussie wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist and a signed shirt belonging to England goalkeeper Joe Hart, a man long associated with the town’s cricket club.
SHREWSBURY (from): E. Foster, D. Rees, R. O’Connell, R. Foster, J. Shantry, W. Merrick, J. Gale, D. Manders, J. Brydon, M. Barnard, S. Barnard, A. Blofield.