Lenny the Lion wishes Shrews manager Paul Simpson good luck

Shrewsbury Town’s exodus to Wembley was getting under way today, led by manager Paul Simpson and his team.

The squad set off yesterday in the club’s coach which left the Prostar Stadium with mascot Lenny the Lion on hand to wave-off the team.

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Tomorrow almost 100 coaches and two special trains will be taking crowds of fans to Wembley to cheer on the team in the League Two play-off final against Gillingham along with hundreds of others in cars and mini-buses.

One of those off the big match is one of the club’s oldest former players who will be making his way to the game in style as his family has hired a limo bus to take him to Wembley.

Arthur Hughes, 91, of Hanwood, played for the club when it was in the Midland League before it changed to the Football League in 1950. Now with 15 members of his family, he will set off from Shrewsbury in the limo bus, hired from Stafford.

Mr Hughes said: “I’m very much looking forward to it. The last time we went to Wembley we lost but I’m hoping they are going to win. I’m looking forward to the limo – I have never seen anything like that. I enjoyed playing for the club.”

His son John, of Meole Brace, said: “My dad has always kept an interest in the local football club. He paraded round the old Gay Meadow when they invited all the legends.”

Family member Brian Jones, who booked the bus, said: “It’s a bit special. Arthur is my brother-in-law’s dad.

“All the family are going. We all support Shrewsbury. We’ve seen them lose down at Wembley so hopefully this time we will be in for a treat.

“The youngest family member going down is 16-years-old. There is a good mix of people. The limo bus is beautiful. We may go in fancy dress.

“We are really looking forward to it. He’s said he might never seen them again at Wembley.”

Supporters groups said that more than 20,000 people will be making the journey down to the ground to boost to the team.

Many of the fans are expecting to travel down tomorrow with coaches and trains setting off to get supporters to the match just after lunch.

Roger Groves, chairman of shrewsTRUST, added: “When you think nearly 100 coaches, two full trains, and hundreds of cars, and mini-buses, all converging on Wembley, it should be quite a sight.

“It will give the team a massive lift to see 20,000 plus of us lot in the stadium and we hope it inspires them to victory.”

Meanwhile, Vicki Price, landlady of the Prince of Wales pub in Bynner Street in Shrewsbury, said some fans would be there tonight making their final preparations.

Central News will broadcast from the pub at 6pm. It will promote the game and a beer festival the pub is hosting from tonight until Monday night and will have 22 ales on sale.

Three coaches will take 162 fans from the pub to Wembley tomorrow. Vicki said: “Everyone is in good spirits for tomorrow for the game and hope Shrewsbury Town win.”

Meanwhile, the family of Prestfelde School pupil Ethan Wycherley, of Berwick Grange, today spoke of their joy as he will lead out the team as the mascot tomorrow.

Yesterday the Shropshire Star revealed that the six-year-old grandson of Shrewsbury Town chairman would be the mascot, stepping out on to the hallowed turf with the players in front of thousands of fans.

His proud father Mark, 37, said both he and his father Roland would be at the stadium.

Mark said Ethan had initially been reluctant to be the mascot, but was persuaded when he realised he would be looked after by his hero and top goalscorer Grant Holt.

He said: “He originally said no because he saw what Wembley was like but my dad had a word with Grant Holt and he said he would look after him so it’s a different ball game now he will be next to his hero.

“We have got him some ear plugs because he doesn’t like loud noises so we have bought some specially for him.

“If he gets a bit overawed then he can wear them. Ethan goes to every single home match and he’s been away as well and went to Bury. I’m hoping he will be a lucky mascot.”

By reporters John Kirk and Rebecca Lawrence