Proud Paul Hurst delighted with Shrewsbury League One survival
Proud Paul Hurst has ranked League One survival with Shrewsbury Town as an achievement to match anything in his managerial career.
The Town chief, who oversaw his side secure their status despite a 2-0 defeat at Oxford on the final day, has previously enjoyed promotions with Ilkeston, Boston and Grimsby but claimed his role in keeping Shrews in the third tier was right up there.
The Blues finished their campaign in 18th, as rivals Port Vale suffered the drop alongside Swindon, Chesterfield and Coventry.
Hurst revealed the pride he shared with assistant Chris Doig and the rest of the staff at Greenhous Meadow.
Hurst said: "Overall the achievement to stay in the league is far greater than it sounds in terms of a six-point gap when I came in.
"When you looked at the bigger picture, the previous games and the squad, I came in and saw how low on confidence we was, there was no togetherness.
"I am proud of myself and Chris coming in but that's been helped by a fantastic group of staff that we've got and a group of players that have ultimately dug in, bought in to what we've tried to do.
"Training changed, they had to change and adapt, the ones that came in January carried that on.
"I don't want to get carried away because we're staying in the league, we're not winning promotion, but I do put it right up there with promotions I've had."
The Yorkshire revealed his pride in re-paying the faith shown in him by chairman Roland Wycherley and chief executive Brian Caldwell, who plucked him from League Two Grimsby in October.
The ambitious manager heaped praise on the near 900 travelling Salopians who roared Town on at the Kassam Stadium and insisted the supporters had 'stepped up' during his tenure.
"It's the highest league I've worked in," Hurst added. "I've got ambitions to go higher. A few people questioned me joining when I left a club on the verge of the play-offs doing well after being promoted.
"But I love the challenge, it certainly has been a challenge, but I'm delighted for everyone connected with the football club.
"The fans turned out fantastically well today and have done since I've come in. They've probably raised their game.
"To Brian Caldwell, along with the chairman, in terms of putting faith in me to make a difference, it's great to re-pay that trust."
