StarSport’s JAMES GARRISON looks ahead to Shropshire’s MCCA Trophy final at The Riverside

Shropshire’s cricketers face their Durham date with destiny tomorrow with confidence high that the boom years are just beginning.

Ed Foster’s side take on Lincolnshire in the final of the MCCA Trophy at the Riverside.

The chance to end a barren 37 years without major silverware will be the main incentive for Shropshire to secure victory in the 50-overs-per-side clash.

And County Cricket Club chairman Bryan Foulkes believes reaching the final can be the launchpad for a successful period in Shropshire’s history.

“Cricket in Shropshire has never been healthier at grassroots level,” said Foulkes.”There are a lot of very talented players coming through the age group teams.

“A lot of lads who are in the team tomorrow were running around in shorts seven years ago and now they are integral part of the senior side.And there are a lot of younger lads who are in the age group teams who will have a big part to play in the future.

“If we win tomorrow it will be all the sweeter because we have got a lot of young Shropshire players in the team.

“When myself and Pete Bradley became chairman and vice chairman in 2003, we didn’t want any more than three ‘outsiders’ in the team.

“We have got that down to two now with Chris Murtagh and Andy Gray and they are crucial to complementing the younger players.”

This will be Foulkes’ second Shropshire final as chairman, and he admitted the pressure is building as the team chases an elusive piece of silverware.

“There has been a knot in my stomach since yesterday and I expect it will get worse,” he said.

Massive

“It’s that fear of failure but I’ve just got everything crossed that tomorrow will be our day.

“The Shropshire supporters deserve it more than anything. They support us in massive numbers at home and away and we sometimes have more watching our game than First Class Counties.

“It would be great for them to say that ‘I was there’ or ‘I was a member’ when we finally won a trophy.

“I remember speaking to the Shropshire Star after we lost at Lord’s in 2003 and I said we would be back.

“Well we are back now and we are all desperately hoping it’s our day. ”

And Foulkes has dropped a hint that victory tomorrow may tempt him to bow out at the top.

“If I was to experience the joy of winning a trophy as chairman then I would want someone else to experience the same,” he added. “I can’t go on forever.”