Chairman Andy Barnard insists survival will be Shrewsbury’s main aim as the countdown continues to the club’s return to the top-flight of the Birmingham & District Cricket League.
With the start of 2009 looming large, excitement is beginning to increase at London Road as Shrewsbury look forward to a year which promises so much, particularly now they have swooped for Western Australian state star Wes Robinson as their new overseas professional, writes STUART DUNN.
Barnard, ever the realist, said that simply consolidating their place among the top dozen club sides in the Midlands has to be the club’s chief target. After all, Shrewsbury have been relegated at the first attempt in their two previous forays into the premier division.
But Barnard firmly believes the foundations are now in place for a much more rewarding top-flight experience this time as Shrewsbury’s youngsters look to shine at the highest level.
“We’ve done a lot of planning already about how we’re going to try and stay in the Premiership,” said Barnard. “We’ve been relegated after just a season up there twice before and we’re definitely not going to do that again.
“We’ve got a good team at the moment which is far superior to the sides we had when we were last promoted, and that’s not being disrespectful because I was in that team.
“The youngsters we have are now far better equipped to deal with the Premier and a lot of them now have a wealth of Birmingham League experience.”
Barnard acknowledged the departure of county allrounder Jack Shantry to become a professional at Bradford League club Farsley is a big blow.
He’s pleased that Shrewsbury managed to beat off strong competition from other clubs to sign Worcestershire Academy prospect Joe Leach, but he said making further signings to add to the club’s strength in depth is easier said than done. “If you were to ask any cricket club in the country, they would all say the same, how they would love to bring in quality new players,” said Barnard.
“But the reality is that unless you get the cheque book out that’s unlikely to happen, and that’s not something we do at Shrewsbury.
“We’ve got in a good professional and we’ll have a good young side as we’ve got some really talented youngsters.”
Barnard has plenty of faith in the ability of skipper Ed Foster and is backing him to lead from the front again as Shrewsbury strive to enjoy a productive season.
“We’ve got an excellent captain who is very proactive and involved in a lot of things at the club,” added the chairman.
“We’re a relatively small club even though we’re a county town club and we like to think we are representing the people in the community.
“We know we’re going into a very strong league and historically the top division of the Birmingham League has long been the best in the country as it always attracts a high number of quality players, but we’re looking forward to it.”