Legends - Colin Griffin
Following the announcements of Arthur Rowley and Chris Smith into the first ever Hall of Fame, Shrewsbury Town have great pleasure in announcing the third legend into this prestigious group. The evening will be hosted at the Greenhous Meadow on Thursday 6th October 2011.
The third legend to be inducted into the Hall of Fame is Colin Griffin. Colin played over 400 league games for the Town following his move from Derby County in 1976. The 6ft defender made his league debut for Shrewsbury Town FC against Grimsby and is still the Towns record holder in terms of most games played.
Colin Griffin
No player in the 125 year history of Shrewsbury Town Football Club has spent so much time on the pitch for the Club as Colin Griffin. The centre half joined Salop from Derby County for just £10000 in January 1976 and would be the defensive kingpin on which the Club's most successful spell was built. He was signed by Alan Durban who knew the twenty year old from his time with the Rams under Brian Clough.
He started every game in the Football League and both major Cup competitions and only missed the dying stages of the home game with Southend United in February as Steve Cross went on as substitute. During his career Colin started 402 League matches and was a substitute on only four occasions but took his defensive duties so seriously that he only scored seven goals. It is fitting that one of those strikes was in the first home game in the second tier against Notts County. Town had failed to score at Swansea and lost but earned a point in the 1-1 draw at Gay Meadow.
Colin was a no nonsense defender who also made 91 starts in total in the F.A. Cup Football League Cup and Welsh Cup. He scored once in these ties in the Welsh Cup Final second leg as we beat Cardiff City 3-0 His games in the Shropshire Senior Cup carry his grand total to well over 500 matches.
After retiring he moved into coaching and continued his connection with Shrewsbury and was number two to Ian McNeil but was used as the scapegoat for relegation and the lack of discipline. Something which aggrieved the loyal servant who had tried to rein in some of the miscreants. Sadly this also meant that his departure came before a much deserved Testimonial Game.
Since retirement Colin has remained in Town and worked as a postman. Hopefully he will attend the evening to initiate the Legends into the Hall of Fame as he clearly deserves the honour and is still much loved by fans both old and new. A man who played over 35000 minutes of League Football at the height of the Club's success has to be an outstanding candidate.