Paul Hurst is made for success, says legend Ken Mulhearn

The former goalkeeper, who made 432 appearances in nine years at Gay Meadow, says the whole town has been lifted by the club’s remarkable unbeaten form that sees them top League One.

The 72-year-old was part of the legendary 1978-79 squad that earned Shrewsbury promotion to the old second division, the first of two Football League title victories in Town’s history.

Mulhearn now conducts meet and greets on matchdays at Montgomery Waters Meadow and is enthused at the club’s turnaround under Hurst.

“It reminds me now of going back to the times I played,” he said. “Now it’s more of a team. They are playing as a team as we did. With the likes of Jake King and Jimmy Lindsay, we used to knock around together and go out as a team. We won then because we were a team. There ware no individuals.

“I’m 72 now and I hate to go back and talk about the old days but it feels like those old times. The way everyone gets in the bar after matches, it’s like a family business.

“It’s lifted the whole town, in pubs and people in general, everyone is so buoyant and aware of Shrewsbury Town.

“I’ve just come back from Scotland, watching my grandson (former Town goalkeeper Harry Lewis) playing for Dundee where he is doing very well.

“Somebody sweeping the roads saw I had a Shrewsbury badge on and came over to talk about how well they’re doing and the success.

“It’s a different club from a couple of years ago with a different atmosphere. They’ve been breaking every record, it’s phenomenal.”

Mulhearn hailed chairman Roland Wycherley and the club’s hierarchy for appointing ex-Grimsby chief Hurst a year and a day ago, drawing likeness with legendary player and boss Graham Turner.

“He (Hurst) was a player like Graham Turner,” he added. “He was a stalwart in defence. They’ve got the same ability to gel a team, to instigate team spirit.

“Paul makes everyone feel like part of the team spirit, even old players like me. He says ‘go on Ken come and see me whenever’. He’s made such a difference, he’s firm but fair and made for success.”