Shropshire Star

Shrewsbury chief Paul Hurst: Been there, done that, now get the Trophy!

Wembley-bound Shrewsbury boss Paul Hurst hopes to use his experience at the national stadium to inspire Town to Checkatrade Trophy success.

Published
Last updated

Hurst has won two of his five Wembley finals as a player and manager. His solo effort as a player was at the former stadium – against Shrewsbury – in 1996, while the other four were with Grimsby Town.

Town do battle with League Two Lincoln City in tomorrow’s final as they hunt a first Wembley win following three defeats.

Around 12,000 Town tickets were shipped during the sale period. Lincoln, heading to Wembley for the first time in their history, have sold more than 26,000 tickets.

“I don’t want to run the risk of dulling down tomorrow and the whole event but I don’t view it maybe the same as a manager, maybe like Danny (Cowley, Lincoln boss, who hasn’t been there before,” said Town boss Hurst,

“There are certain things that aren’t going to come as a surprise to me. Excited might not be the word but, 100 per cent I want to go there and lead the team out – and I want to win.

“It’s not complacency or ‘oh it’s just going to Wembley again’. It’s not that. I feel that, like most things, if you’ve done it once or twice then it doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy it again. You book the same holiday again don’t you?

“But you know what to expect, in general. That’s where I’m at with it.”

Hurst and his squad were greeted by fans as they departed Montgomery Waters Meadow for London yesterday. Town enjoyed a whistle-stop tour of the stadium yesterday evening, allowing players to familiarise themselves with the surroundings.

They will train in the capital today. Hurst added: “I’m very relaxed about everything. I want to almost watch the players and see their enjoyment.

“But then at the same time we’ll get to a point where it’s trying to get them mentally prepared as much as everything else. The tactical side is like any other game.

“I do think there’s a little more emphasis on the mental side and trying to allow them to enjoy it but keeping their feet on the ground and mind focused on the job in hand.”