Comment: Time for Shrewsbury fans to pump up the volume

For those of you fortunate enough to stay away from Twitter and Facebook, that statement is effectively a 21st century rallying cry – and it is being directed at Town fans to roar their team on with the support they deserve.

There is absolutely no doubt that this improbable season has captured the imagination of Shrewsbury fans.

Even the most stubborn and unexcitable of Town fans have been pinching themselves and bouncing with optimism and euphoria at some point this season.

That is the remarkable affect Paul Hurst has had in his first full season as Montgomery Waters Meadow boss.

The spike in this season’s attendances, both home and on the road, have backed up supporters’ exuberance. There was a real upturn in turnouts in September as the positive start became much more than that. Wigan were defeated at the Meadow and Blackburn managed to scrape a point five minutes from the death.

Around 6,900 and 8,200 saw those September fixtures. There have been some great crowds since, games against Portsmouth and Bradford spring to mind – not to mention the sell-out allocation home and away against West Ham.

Yes, they are the bigger clubs in the division, but even the attendances for the ‘lower-key’ fixtures have been north of 5,500.

After crowds threatened to drop towards 4,000 towards the end of Micky Mellon’s reign not too long ago, those kind of turnouts are well received.

Then there has been the away support. Shrews fans have travelled in their droves all over the country this season. They have been rewarded by some memorable occasions. Wigan on Boxing Day, Portsmouth and Bristol Rovers in recent weeks. late shows at Rotherham and Doncaster are others.

The unbelievably consistent form, spirit, passion and determination Hurst’s men have shown this season has caught on and it has taken hold of the town.

But there will be a time this season, perhaps it will start today with the visit of Plymouth – who will make the trek with their hundreds of die-hard fans – when the team will need roaring home.

More than 6,000 tickets were sold by yesterday morning and plenty more are expected to fly off the shelves. It is looking like another 7,000-plus crowd.

The Meadow is likely to be the place where Town’s promotion dreams are – or aren’t – realised this season. Ten of the final 17 league fixtures are on home soil and the ‘12th man’ in the stands can play a pivotal role.

That is where #PackTheMeadow comes in. And it is not just about bringing yourself to the games, it is about making a difference, getting behind the side and making yourselves heard.

Defenders Toto Nsiala and Omar Beckles have mentioned this week alone what a difference it makes to have a raucous crowd backing the side.

Nsiala said: “We go to Bristol Rovers and their fans are pretty loud. They get them going and it’d be fantastic if we get the same at our place.”

Do not be frustrated if Town are not two or three goals up at the break. Hurst’s side is one built around patience, determination and a willingness to battle for the spoils until the last second.

Town fans have, rightly, got carried away this season and long may it continue. But there will come a time when the support needs ramping up another notch as the pressure kicks in and the promotion heat intensifies.

Hurst said he is confident his side will handle the pressure – but every decibel summoned by fans will play its part.