Micky, Sadler And Edwards Attend First Workshop
Shrewsbury Town players, past and present, took a trip down memory lane with a visit to the Marches Care Home in Oxon as part of the STFC ITC Meadow Memories initiative.
Town legends Ken Mulhearn, Andy Tretton and Wales and Wolves midfielder Dave Edwards were accompanied by Mat Sadler and Micky Mellon who cast their eye over some historic Shrewsbury Town memorabilia with residents and staff of the care home.
The programme is designed to help people suffering with dementia and thanks to supporters donating their memorabilia, many residents were able to look back at some classic Salop moments with some of their favourite players.
Ken Mulhearn, who starred for Salop between the goal posts during the 70’s said: “Anything like this, no matter how small must be good. It’ good for football as a whole and good for the players today to put themselves out.
“When I’m on the door at Shrewsbury I see all the old players like Jake King, Sammy Irvine, Jimmy Linsey and Ian Atkins and we all have a good natter about what it was like when we played at Shrewsbury. All different stories come out, some good, some bad. But it’s good to meet old friends because we’re not getting any younger.”
Health and Inclusion Officer at STFC ITC Aiden Wassall was grateful for Salop supporters from all over for donating some of their treasured memorabilia.
He said: “We’ve got old shirts, programmes and even a Welsh Cup plate. We are working with the residents here for our dementia programme so it’s all looking at invoking that memory of when they used to go down to the meadow and watch Shrewsbury.
“In my section of health and inclusion we work on elderly engagement. I think it’s something that’s forgotten about most of the time but it’s good to get this sort of thing happening. You never know it might make their day looking back at old times.
“It’s great seeing their faces light up when looking back at all this memorabilia and we are hopeful this is the first of many.”
As the day wound down, recently appointed Shrewsbury Town in the Community Ambassador Dave Edwards popped along to show his support.
“I’ve come down to help try and raise awareness for some work that we do with our dementia charity and am just hoping to build the profile up of it.
“I’m looking forward to having some good conversations with people at the centre and look back on some good memorabilia.
“A lot of the stuff is from the 90’s when I was going to watch so there’s a lot of dodgy haircuts and suspect clothing. It’s nice to see and it’s as interesting for me as it is for everyone else.
“I’ve had a chat with Jamie (Edwards) about everything STFC ITC do and they’re doing a great job so if I can just help add to that a little bit then that will be great.”
Registered Nurse Manager Carey Bloomer summed up the impact of these sessions. “One of our gentlemen who is on the dementia side of the house used to be a footballer and he’s come down and chatted to people.
He’s quite difficult to get emotion out of but he’s just gone back to the unit and burst into tears. I know that sounds a bit odd but to provoke that sort of reaction from him is just amazing.
“That’s what memories do, they bring out the emotion in you.”