Matt Williams: No rift with Roland Wycherley
Matt Williams insists his reasons for leaving Shrewsbury Town have nothing to do with Roland – and insists he hasn't been 'straitjacketed' by the chairman.
The club announced yesterday Williams has resigned as Town chief executive to take over as general manager at Burnley to be closer to his home and family in the north west.
Williams, who is set to become a father in March, is to step down at the end of January and begin work at Burnley on February 1.
Some fans claimed on social media that the hugely-popular Williams has decided to leave because he has become frustrated with Wycherley.
But the 41-year-old dismissed such suggestions.
He said: "There has been no bust-up with the chairman. We speak regularly during the day and I see him first and foremost as a friend who I can go to for his advice on anything. During my time at the club he has always been there for me and been sympathetic with situations that I have needed him for.
"From my point of view, any fans criticising the chairman or suggesting my leaving is down to him is wrong.
"The chairman has made it clear he would like me to stay.
"I'm aware of the conspiracy theories but the decision is based on being closer to my family and the fact I'll be moving to a club in the north west has made it easier.
"I'm leaving purely for those reasons, not through being put in a straitjacket and it's nonsense to suggest otherwise."
Williams believes Wycherley, who has been chairman for 18 years, is as passionate about the club as ever but would happily walk away if the right people emerged to take the club further.
"No one should ever question his passion and commitment to Shrewsbury Town," he added.
"People who say he's been here for too long should be careful what they wish for.
"They need to ask themselves who or what is the alternative? Because despite my best efforts over the last 17 months, I have not been able to attract significant investment to Shrewsbury Town from outside Shropshire.
"I'm sure if someone offered the chairman a valuation he found acceptable and was in the best interests of Shrewsbury Town he'd walk away. The club is not cash rich, but it's on a sound financial footing and is one of the few outside the Premier League that has not been into administration, and that is down to the chairman.
"People think I'm finishing now but I'm here until January. There's so much going on in the background and I'm still working with him to develop the club, the training ground and the site we sit on."
Williams has improved many parts of the club since he arrived in May 2014 and he believes the chairman has gained fresh energy because of the improvements made.
He continued: "I would have hoped my manner of doing things has re-energised him into wanting to drive the club forward and I can assure people from the conversations I've had with him, that's the case."
Shropshire Council leader Keith Barrow, who has been linked with being Williams's successor, says he has no interest in the job.
Oswestry-based Councillor Barrow, who is a close friend of Wycherley and attends games with the chairman, said: "I have no aspiration to do the job and I do not have the skill set, so I won't be putting my name forward."
Meanwhile, Town will pocket £72,000 after their FA Cup second-round tie at Grimsby was chosen as one of four ties to be televised live.
The game has been moved to Monday, December 7, and will be broadcast live on BT Sport 2 (7.45pm).
