Paul Simpson’s departure from Shrewsbury Town Football Club was still sinking in today with fans urging the club to use it as a springboard for success next season.

Simpson was sacked yesterday after the League Two club failed to reach the play-off’s and the race is now on to find his successor.

Adrian Plimmer, for shrewsTRUST – the club’s supporters trust initiative – said: “The manager’s dismissal shows that we as a football club haven’t achieved our stated goals, but we believe the club has a fantastic future.

“The fans expectations have been raised by a new stadium, investment in the team, and a chairman leading a board who are desperate for success.”

Meanwhile, former Town bosses Jake King and Jimmy Quinn agreed that Simpson should have got the club into at least a play off position.

Mr King, who was Town boss from 1997 to 1999, said: “You could see it coming. To be honest I am not surprised.

“Despite not being in management recently I have been scouting and talk to a number of League Two managers on a weekly basis and they all tell me that Shrewsbury has one of the biggest budgets in the division.

“When you see teams like Rochdale and Morecambe right up there who have much smaller budgets than Shrewsbury’s and Bournemouth, with their financial troubles, already promoted it does make you think.”

Meanwhile, Mr Quinn, who took the club up from the Conference in 2003/4, added: “The club should have at least got into the play-offs and although Paul is a good manager it just hasn’t worked out for him.”

l Deliver — See StarSport