So far, so good!

It only seems a couple of weeks ago that I was walking through London, thinking about the Play Off Final, on a warm sunny June day. That was of course the last warm sunny day not only of June, but also of the entire summer!

Actually as I look out of the window today, the sun is out, but Emma Jesson, the lovely Emma Jesson that is, has told us, that rain is due for the weekend, and were going to get wet again!

Luckily Town's first to games at the New Meadow (or as I like to michealy call it 'The Stadium with No Name) have been graced with sunshine and clear skies.

It is fair to say that when July 14th came, I was as excited as a kid in sweet shop. Why? Well, not just because I'm a Town fan, but because being involved with the SUFAN campaign for the stadium, it's fantastic to believe it's finally here.

When I think about all those times I've driven on the by-pass past the site after the latest set back and wondered 'would this ever really happen', to see it there in all it's glory is a fantastic achievement.

When I think back to all those letters, and meetings, and knocking on doors, to finally sit in the stands and watch a game, well you can imagine my thoughts as the teams came out and strutted there stuff.

You have to be impressed with the place, and it was good to see Frank Leath this week write in the Star his thanks to Roland and how much he liked it. This from a guy who I know from personal dealings was totally and fervently opposed to leaving GM. Welcome on board Frank!

I think everyone has to understand that New Meadow is very much an unfinished canvass, and will be a 'work in progress' for much of this season, and for the near future. Yes, the framework is there, the stands are complete, seats in, and soon plasma screens, scoreboards, and external decoration will come, but other things will come besides, like atmosphere, special memories etc.

I've already heard one or two moan that 'it's not as good as Gay Meadow'. As much as I love the now overgrown pitch, rusting stands of our former home, how anyone can say that the place where we used to watch football with restricted views, no beer, overpriced and poor quality food, and being out sung by a tiny following from the opposition is better than New Meadow (sorry the New Stadium) is beyond me!

Change isn't easy. People don't react well to change. I remember doing a project as part of a college course years ago about change and change management, and how behaviour is affected by change, and how to negate that. People to start with resist change and that it was your seeing. You're seeing it from some fans, from SARA, and other bodies. That eventually passes and then you get an acceptance from the majority and over time change becomes the norm, the routine.

For me change is not being able to park at the Telepost, not being able to stroll into the ground five minutes after kick off. It's about new pubs (The Brooklands) a beer in the ground before the game. Sitting down all the time (actually with my on going years I'm liking that - the times I'd stand on the Riverside and my back would be killing me!), and travelling on the park and ride.

There will be hiccups along the way. Last night was one for me not getting back from Droitwich until after kick off. But we'll learn from it, and move on, and that's what we have to do. We can't keep doing this, 'oh I told you so' rhetoric. We all make mistakes, and even the best organised project, have teething problems. The trick is to make sure you minimise them, and learn from the ones you make.

I believe the club is doing that. I know that the pricing of friendlies has been an issue, and I think there are two points here. I think the opening game was far enough (although when Wrexham charged £10 and £5 for Liverpool) I guess their audible 'doh!' in the corridors of power at Oteley Road. I think Coventry game though was a bit steep, and actually 2,300 wasn't a bad crowd considering.

For the Man City game, I guess being Premiership and all, you'd be looking at full price, and I'd expect to pay it to be honest. Next time however the club does need to look at pricing for pre season games.

You have to understand the clubs view on this. The prices for the season are fantastic in my view and the kids' prices are what we've always wanted. Maybe the feeling was the early games would be a must for everyone, but that hasn't proved to be the case so far. Holidays, just having bought a season ticket etc would be valid points, and again we need to learn from that.

One thing that has been great is the amount of families that have come to games. It really does bode well, and with a Family Stand in full force in the East Stand and the Railside belting out 'Hey Jude!' the New Stadium is going to rock.

GP has asked the question should we change the music at New Meadow. It was interesting what he was saying that he felt 'Catch us if you can' actually inspired the opposition. Have to disagree with you on this one Gary, because as a kid doing PE on a Friday, in my full Town kit, I always remember the Dave Clarke fives top tune in my head, and me trying to mimic Chic Bates as he did his warm up pre game. I then wanted to win the following game of football, more than anything!

Now, I think we need some music that pumps up the crowd before kick off. You've got your bog standard 'Hi ho Silver Lining' - (We hate the Wolves!), and other tracks, that build up and then as the teams run out it should be 'Catch us if you can!'. But before that record I would play 'Hey Jude', because just before the teams come out, and 'Catch us if you can' is played can you the imagine being an opposition player and here ' Nah nah nah, na na nah, na na nah SHREWSBURY!' You'd brick it wouldn't you!

So for me it's this lot in order

Hi Ho (Something not very nice about the city of Wolverhampton and the team that plays there). I'll be finishing my last pint at this point, so good queue music!

Three Lions - Lightning Seeds

Boys are Back In Town - Thin Lizzy

Ashes - Embrace - because whenever I replay the video of Wembley on my phone and that big 'loggerheads' badge is being paraded on the pitch, it brings a lump to my throat

Hey Jude - with the ground 'Nah-ing' at five to three.

Then 'Ladies and Gentleman , please welcome xxxx and Shrowsbury Twon!'

Then CUIYC!

Goal music seems to split the fans, but timing is important. I think the noise of the fans celebrating has to be allowed to be heard, but then when it just dying down, on should go the music. This 'Chelsea Dagger' has been mentioned and I think I'm right in thinking that this was song played as half time started on Tuesday, and also was song played when Brizzle lifted the play off trophy, so brings back bad memories, but it's a song that gets everyone going, and atmosphere is so much of football. I really hate it when people say they just come to watch. Even my Day shouting and stuff at matches and he's retired and on kidney dialysis three times a week, so I don't get this 'library room' stuff.

Anyway I'm sure we'll see loads of debate about that one!

And the shirts! Well I've just about managed to squeeze into mine, and I've now got some incentive to lose some weight. Actually the fit isn't that bad, but it's certainly a bit tighter than my last shirts.

Good to see some good stuff coming into the club shop. Like the trackie tops. One thing. Can we please have programmes being sold again in the club shop!

Oh well, a trip to the New Bucks Head awaits next week. So know doubt see you all there, and yes I will be in the right end!

And finally a good friend of mine is losing his freedom and getting married! Cheeky (Stuart) Farmer is a well known Town fan and is getting married to the lovely yam yam that is Michelle on Saturday. I wish both of them the very best of luck, and hope the weather holds!

Blue and amber (and a hint of white) always!

Ade Plimmer