Shane Sutton ready to bring passion to AFC Telford

The 28-year-old checked into New Bucks Head over the weekend, becoming Rob Smith’s first new addition to the Bucks squad this summer.

And the bearded and tattooed centre-half’s words should not fall on deaf ears. Sutton spent nine years at Latham Park, home of former club Newtown AFC, where he earned cult status and skippered the club across several successful seasons.

He believes that Welsh Premier League success, where Newtown climbed from the division’s depths to compete in the Europa League,was built on a foundation of a good attitude.

Sutton, based just over the Welsh border in Knighton, is delighted to help Rob Smith, Larry Chambers and Co re-ignite similar success with the Bucks

“I got the feeling that they’re looking to do what we did at Newtown,” said Sutton, who owns his own barber shop. “They built a squad with a good attitude and no big egos.

“I was the main part of that as captain of the club. I feel Rob and Larry have probably looked at that more than my ability on the field!”

The defender, who captained his former side at FC Copenhagen’s 42,000 seater stadium in the European competition amid other games on the continent, is no stranger to Shropshire. Indeed, he spent a decade at Shrewsbury Town.

Punching above his age group and competing alongside a young Joe Hart, he was left heartbroken by Gary Peters, the then-Town boss who left a flea in Sutton’s ear for wearing white boots.

But he was left in no doubt where his future lay after a meeting with Smith, Chambers and coach Gavin Cowan.

“There was such a good mix,” he added. “Rob seemed the no-nonsense type and Gav just came at it with loads of new ideas.

“Larry looked at me and all he said was ‘you’re going to do well’. It was a good meeting.

“I came out knowing that I was going to sign. It was just how to tell Newtown – but now I’m just buzzing.

“I’ve watched Telford before and in my eye they’re a massive club. I said to Gav that I’ve not come to fight relegation.”

The Welshman, who played at Newtown under Bernard McNally and alongside current Shrewsbury academy manager Andy Jones, is excited to sample the New Bucks Head.

“I haven’t had a buzz since playing at Copenhagen and I’ve missed that,” he added.

“Rob said to me that if things are going well then there’s no place like Telford.”