League Two Pro Life - Sky Sports Expert

New season, new Hope

Posted: 11th October 2007 14:27

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Richard Hope

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It is great to be back for what is now my fourth season with skysports.com!

A lot of things have happened in the last few months. I was again on the move in the summer as you will have seen as I joined Wrexham.

It was an excellent deal for me as I feel I've joined one of the real sleeping giants of the lower leagues - any team who could on their day attract and house crowds of well over 10,000 shows what level they could achieve and that is one reason why I joined.

It also meant I did not have to uproot myself having been at Shrewsbury - which also brings up the issue of playing for a rival club, which I coincidentally had to cope with after moving from Chester to Gay Meadow - so that is not a problem for me.

Departure

Obviously many people were shocked at my departure from Shrewsbury, having skippered them to the play-off final at Wembley.

And to be honest nobody was more shocked than me, we'd just got to the play-off final, but Gary Peters said he was not renewing my deal. He cited family reasons which were totally untrue, as has been proved.

Had he offered me a contract there then I would have signed but if I would have known about the interest from other clubs and that of Wrexham - who in all fairness are a huge club, bigger than (in all respects) Shrewsbury, I could not have turned them down.

Season so far

On the pitch, it has been a difficult start to the season, and I think there are a number of issues that we could raise about that. But it is very easy to make excuses and I don't think any fan wants to hear it.

We have recently got ourselves going with some good victories and I hope that can be a starting block for our season - as we know we are much better than our current league placing might suggest.

One other real bonus to me was being handed the captain's armband, which I really enjoyed at Shrewsbury, and I hope I can prove I'm worth it.

Also the supporters have been different class with me; I seem to be fortunate with the way fans take to me. Again they have been superb and I can't thank them enough for making me feel wanted.

Comments

Chris Neutral says...

In fairness to Richard, I don't think he has made any negative comments about Shrewsbury fans. He is complimenting the Wrexham fans on how quickly they have accepted him. Good luck to Richard, I hope he does well.

Posted 17:41 16th October 2007

Impartial Fan says...

I happen to know that Richard would never say or do anything against the fans of the clubs he has played with and for, he holds the fans as an important part of his game and is always wanting to do his best for the people who show such support whether the result is good or bad. Yes GP treated him badly and we don't know the full story but I know he would be very hurt to think his words have been taken as him knocking the Shrews fans. The guy you respected on and off the pitch is the guy he is, don't judge him on a few words. Your support still means alot to him.

Posted 11:46 15th October 2007

Peter Taylor says...

I doubt you were really shocked that GP didn't offer you a deal. Surely you saw that coming after he'd dropped you? Gone to a bigger club - didn't you say that before? I wish you all the best for the remainder of your career and you will be respected when you visit the new stadium.

Posted 13:36 12th October 2007

Ladyshrews Fan says...

I have to agree with the other postings here. How very disappointed I feel about your comments Richard. We supported and believed in you. By all means have your gripe with GP but to say Wrexham supporters are a better class than us was way too far below the belt. I have been watching how you have been getting on and reading the reviews from your better class of fans about your performance was less than flattering, infact they are blaming you for poor results. So you are welcome to wrexham your fans and bottom of the league. I will no longer bother asking how you are and watching your career.

Posted 12:43 12th October 2007

Anothrt town Fan says...

Richard, as another Town fan, I feel your comments are a little misguided. I don't know of anyone in Shrewsbury (apart from Peters) who believed you should have left and there are very few who ever believed him regarding his reasons. Pretty much everyone wished you all the luck in the world at Wrexham, despite being one of our main rivals and were looking forward to giving you a huge welcome at the New Meadow (where you should have been leading us out!) As the other guy has said, these comments do not affect GP, but is an unnecessary swipe at the fans who supported you..and to a great extent still do. I will still applaud you when you come to Town for what you did for our club but just feel a little disappointed...where these comments really needed?

Posted 10:31 12th October 2007

Town Fan says...

Hi Richard Im a Shrewsbury fan and have to admit I like many other fans are a bit disappointed at your comments, You may have a point to prove to Mr Peters but to say that Wrexham are a bigger club hurts the fans that stood by you no matter what. You were worshipped at Shrewsbury and nobody wanted you to go but to make a comment like that doesnt hurt the like of Gary Peters but hurts the ppl that will always support the club no matter whos playing or whos in charge.

Posted 09:17 12th October 2007

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