Shrewsbury Reds mark half-century
One of our longest-running official supporters’ clubs celebrates a remarkable 50-year anniversary this month.
The Shrewsbury branch was formed in 1973 by Bill Meredith (a solid United name if ever we heard one!) following a meeting at the local Wheatsheaf pub. The group started running coaches to Old Trafford and to away games and, half a century later, it still boasts more than 100 members, who hail from Shrewsbury and many towns throughout Shropshire.
“The supporters’ club has always had a family feel about it, with many generations of families travelling with us to the games over the 50 years,” explains secretary Kristofor Kelly. “[It all comes from] the passion of so many of our members to travel and attend as many games as possible.
“It’s the travelling to and from the games together that is the best part. There are loads of United fans in Shrewsbury that wouldn’t necessarily know each other if the club hadn’t been formed, and we would encourage any others from Shropshire to get in touch to build up relationships.”
The branch will be invited pitchside at this weekend's match against Luton Town, as recognition for all those decades of steadfast support.
But Kristofor says the Shrewsbury Reds’ eyes are fixed firmly on the future, and replenishing local support for United.
“We continue to try to attract the next generation of supporters by providing cheap coach travel for under-16s,” he says, before mentioning Reuben, aged seven, who goes on the coach each week and likes to keep fans in line by dishing out yellow and red cards when behaviour levels drop!
“Best memories? The best atmosphere has to be the 1993 game against Blackburn,” Kristofor continues.
“Some of our members would have been present during the previous title triumphs, but I’d say the majority would say this game, because it ended that 26-year-wait. The best away trip has to be when we stayed in Salou for a week to watch us clinch the Treble... 32 of us!”
“Some of our members would have been present during the previous title triumphs, but I’d say the majority would say this game, because it ended that 26-year-wait. The best away trip has to be when we stayed in Salou for a week to watch us clinch the Treble... 32 of us!”
Fifty years means a lot of miles clocked up following the Reds, and enough golden memories to fill a treasure chest. Congratulations to all our loyal Shrewsbury Reds, and long may United’s Shropshire support soar.
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