Blueprint shows Shrewsbury can have success, believes Brian Caldwell
Chief executive Brian Caldwell believes last season’s success serves as motivation for Shrewsbury to repeat the feat.
Under Paul Hurst, who last week left for Ipswich, Town shook off their bookmakers’ tag of relegation favourites to make it all the way to the League One play-off final.
New boss John Askey begins his recruitment drive with the bulk of last season’s squad in place. As goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray became the first player offered a contract to leave yesterday, decisions are still being waited on from Abu Ogogo, Junior Brown, Lenell John-Lewis, Alex Rodman and Arthur Gnahoua.
But Caldwell sees the potential at Montgomery Waters Meadow after Hurst set an example of what could be achieved on a shoestring budget. “We’ve developed a lot and come a long way in a short space of time,” said Caldwell. “We’ve now got a squad of players with a value in them. The crux of the squad are contracted for next season.
“We have a training ground too. We are in a far better place than we were 18 months ago (before appointing Hurst).
“Paul has proven you don’t necessarily need to have the biggest budget in the division to progress.
“Having most of the squad in place next season already, I think there’s potential that anything can happen going forward.”
Askey’s Macclesfield Town also upset the odds last season. Similarly to Shrewsbury, they were tipped to be staving off the drop but charged to an emphatic National League title triumph by 10 points.
The Silkmen legend has said he will first look to lead his side to the 50-point mark, seen by most as safety from the drop in League One.
Caldwell stresses that Shrewsbury are not looking to appoint just to keep their heads above water and will strive to be competitive.
Town’s supremo added: “Absolutely it’s to be competitive. You look at what Paul’s done this year. He had an exceptional season.
“The good thing is Shrewsbury fans are realistic and realise they’ve witnessed something quite special.
“But we played 62 games – OK we got third place in the league – but we haven’t actually won anything.
“Having most of the squad in place next season already, I think there’s potential that anything can happen going forward.”
