New defender Gavin Cowan has revealed he made the running to seal his summer switch to AFC Telford United.

The 27-year-old has agreed a one-year-deal at the New Bucks Head after leaving crisis club Nuneaton Borough.

And the former Shrewsbury Town defender has revealed he was desperate to seal his footballing return to Shropshire.

“There were a lot of financial problems at Nuneaton and we were told to try and fix ourselves up,” he said,

“The ideal scenario for me was to come to Telford – it’s a great club and in a good location for me.

Luckily, the management (Rob Smith and Larry Chambers) were as keen for me to come as I was to go to Telford so there was only one real outcome with that type of mutual respect.

“Anyone who knows me knows I wouldn’t have joined a club who didn’t have aspirations to move on and that’s exactly what shone through when I met the manager, the assistant and the chairman (Lee Carter).

“They said that they fell a bit short last season and they have made some signings to get the club challenging strongly again.

“I’ve always enjoyed playing at Telford and to play in a ground like that week in week out will be fantastic.”

Cowan dropped out of the Football League when released by Shrewsbury in January 2007 – but insists that has given him the opportunity to pursue fresh challenges.

“I always have confidence in my ability but you learn that there are other things to life,” he added.

“I’m working towards a sports science degree and I’ve been doing some coaching and other bits with the Shropshire FA which has been fantastic.”