Barnard hoping for big crowd at clash
Thursday 20th August 2009, 2:14PM BST.
Shrewsbury Cricket Club are hoping to roll back the years with a bumper crowd cheering them on in their ECB National Knockout semi-final against Chester-le-Street, writes CHRIS HUDSON.
Sunday’s clash at London Road will be their biggest game since they reached the final at Lord’s in 1983.
An astonishing four-figure crowd turned up to cheer the club on in their semi-final against Wigan that year.
Chairman Andy Barnard does not expect nearly so many this time around, but is urging cricket fans in the town to get behind them for their big day.
“I was speaking to one or two of the guys who were involved in 1983 and they were recalling that there were around 1,500 people there for the Wigan game,” he said. “If we could get anywhere near that then we would be delighted.
“Chester-le-Street’s a lot further away but we’ve spoken to the people there and they’re going to be bringing about a hundred. If we could get more than 500 in the ground with our own supporters as well then that would be fantastic.”
Shrewsbury are battling to beat the drop in their first season back in the Birmingham League premier division, but have been in decent form of late – and have tended to save their best performances for this competition.
Sunday’s match starts at 1pm, with the gates opening at 11am. Car parking and programmes are £2 each, with entry free.
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