Anxious Simpson can’t make room

Friday 6th June 2008, 11:50AM BST.

Paul SimpsonBoss Paul Simpson has been frustrated in his efforts to trim his Shrewsbury Town squad – with little interest being shown in his misfits.Simpson is anxious to move several players on after a disappointing season at Oteley Road that saw Town finish down in 18th place in League Two.

He only had four players out of contract at the end of the campaign, so any further cuts will have to be made by finding clubs interested in snapping up his unwanted troops.

But, despite several phone calls and discussions, no-one has yet followed up with any firm offers.

“It’s very hard to move players on,” he said. “There have been a few inquiries but nobody has come back to me and said they’ll definitely take someone.

“You get managers who phone up and ask what the situation is and it’s basically a case of keeping in touch with them.

“I think that if anyone is going to go, it will probably be in the last week of June or the first week of July.

“We’re all in the same boat as no-one wants to take a player on now and have to pay for them through the summer for nothing.

“You tend to see a surge just before pre-season starts and I’m hopeful that things will start to happen then.”

Meanwhile, Simpson has made some changes to his backroom team – with a new physio and kit man being appointed.

Nathan Ring has been promoted from youth team duties to take over as first team physio, while Pete Downward has returned for a second spell as kit man.

Ring replaces Joe Hinnigan as physio, with Simpson declaring: “He’s impressed me during my time here, he has the qualifications I wanted and he’s very keen to make himself better.”

Supporter Downward was appointed by former boss Gary Peters but left after a year to be replaced by Ryan King, son of ex-Town manager Jake.

But Simpson has brought Downward back to resume what he believes is one of the key roles at the club behind the scenes.

By Chris Hudson


  1. 1
    Egbert Nobeanz

    Ask his predecessor why!

    A squad full of Gary Peters ‘ones’ for the future with just the odd exception to the rule, the sooner Peters’ legacy has forever been banished the better for the future STFC.

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  2. 2
    richard owen

    I don’t envy Paul Simpson in this respect. It’ll be difficult to move on those contracted players who are surplus to requirements, especially given that these players didn’t exactly set the league alight in a very disappointing season for the Town.

    Having to deal with another manager’s legacy ain’t easy!

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  3. 3
    Denis

    Does not look good for the future!!

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  4. 4
    Lelo

    If the club are asking for transfer fee’s for these players, they will not get rid of them will they.

    Report abuse

  5. 5
    Denis

    This is bad news on top of the possibility that we will not after get the extra £500,000 for Joe Hart

    Report abuse

  6. 6
    Ian Carter

    Not much happens before end of June in lower league transfers most years, why sign players when their present club have to pay them until then ?

    Report abuse

  7. 7
    devon salopian

    is there any other job they can do? eg car park attendants, directors, program sellers etc

    Report abuse

  8. 8
    reeceer

    There is still the CHURCH STRETTON girls who will play for nothing with better results than last season.

    Report abuse



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