Shrewsbury will have more than one foot in the door at this year’s World Cup after a town designer came up with the slogan for the boots that will be worn by England striker Wayne Rooney.

While goalkeeper Joe Hart will be in the squad for the tournament, there will be also be another town-dweller hoping their handiwork will fire the country to glory in South Africa.

The 'Roo Dares Wins' slogan on Rooney's boots

Richard McKenna’s slogan “Roo Dares Wins” was personally chosen by Rooney out of thousands of other entries in a nationwide competition run by Nike.

Now Richard, 34, of Hereford Road, has seen his winning slogan stitched onto the star’s £250-a-pair Total 90 Nike boots, which the Manchester United and England star will wear during the World Cup.

Lifelong Man Utd fan Mr McKenna said he came up with the idea for the competition – called Inspired by You, Worn by Wayne – after watching an episode of TV show Ultimate Force. After winning the competition he got the chance to meet and pose for pictures with Rooney, who told him the design would inspire him during the World Cup.

“That is something I will never forget and will stay with me forever,” said Mr McKenna.

“I told him I wanted to see the design three times when he scores a hat-trick in the final and the thought of seeing it on the TV during the World Cup makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up – it’s absolutely fantastic.”

Meanwhile councils across the West Midlands were today urged not to be “spoilsports” but take a common sense approach to allowing St George’s flags being flown in support of England during the World Cup.

They are being encouraged to support all communities who want to fly a national flag of their choice in support of the competition which starts tomorrow in South Africa.

It follows a number of cases during previous sports tournaments where councils have asked for flags to be taken down, particularly from buildings, on health and safety grounds.