Adam El-Abd calls for Shrewsbury Town win for Micky Mellon

Such was the relationship between the departed boss and his players. They were shell-shocked when the news was broken in the dressing room about his exit.

But the captain put on a brave face in front of the press and cameras and made a promise to the departed boss – who has since been announced as Tranmere Rovers manager – that the squad were going to pull off a belated and unexpected three points.

El-Abd's bond with the Scottish chief was perhaps stronger than most, the experienced defender was handed Salop's captain's armband on the opening day of the campaign and leads like a warrior.

He admitted yesterday that the bond between manager and captain is a deeper one and told of genuine devastation at the departure of a 'good guy' and 'good coach'.

"There's a lot of good characters in there and we'll be aiming and doing our best to get the win for Micky at Bradford," said Egypt international El-Abd.

"It's to go and win for Micky really.

"Unfortunately it's a results business and if we don't perform on the pitch then he has to take the brunt of it for everybody – that's part and parcel of being a manager.

"It's not fair, possibly. The boys are disappointed in the dressing room, but you have to react in the right way now.

"If we don't then then we'll get punished, there's no time for sulking.

"I feel, as the dressing room does, that we've let him down really, because we haven't been able to get the results on the pitch that would've helped him.

"I think we owe it to him. Obviously he's brought a large number of us from that dressing room into the club.

"In reality it'll be too late for him but getting that win could soften the blow."

The 32-year-old has always insisted that his job as captain never stood him above others in this season's Town dressing room.

With the experienced Jim O'Brien also there as vice-captain and many others with playing experience in at higher levels, the squad isn't crying out for an old head.

Goalkeeping coach Danny Coyne, 11 years El-Abd's senior, is in the hotseat for Salop's unenviable trip to Bradford's Valley Parade.

The Bantams are one of just three teams remaining to be beaten in the league this season. The others are Tottenham Hotspur and League Two's Carlisle.

So Coyne could have barely hand-picked a more in-form host.

But the Welshman, who has only sampled life as an assistant boss briefly in his young coaching career, will be well-supported by the experience El-Abd and co can offer.

"I suppose so (my job to help)," added the centre-half.

"The whole scenario and situation had came as a surprise to everyone.

"Coyney is going to take the reins, and it's probably a position he wouldn't have expected himself to be in.

"Myself and Jim (O'Brien) are there for Coyney if he needs us, to aid him in any way and to try and keep the boys together – that goes without saying."

If ever there was incentive to go and prove everybody wrong, it is tomorrow. If not for themselves, then Salop will do it for their former boss.