John Askey working on winning environment at Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury boss John Askey revels in creating the ideal working atmosphere – so much so that training is his favourite part of the job.
After more than 20 years as a player from the age of 18 inside bustling dressing rooms at Port Vale and Macclesfield, he is adept at day-to-day football life.
‘Making people tick’ and ‘being part of the banter’ is something that Askey, a reserved and quiet character, has never been without.
He retired from playing in 2003, became assistant boss, caretaker boss, assistant again and then youth team boss, a role he served for a full seven seasons until the top spot came his way again in summer 2013.
“I’ve been lucky to go from being a player into coaching straight away,” said Askey, who is the Silkmen’s all-time record appearance holder with 677.
“I didn’t really miss the playing side of it because I carried on playing until I was 38 or 39. I was lucky to go straight into the management side. It’s carried on and I still enjoy it now as much as the first day.
“There’s not been surprises really, no. We’ve seen most of them play before and you get to hear about people and their personalities.”
Askey has been honest, transparent and polite in his first few press conferences. That kind of reputation precedes him with the Silkmen.
‘Gentleman John’ and ‘Sir John Askey’ are just two names he was known by. If Town visit Moss Rose in the FA Cup, EFL Cup or Trophy this season then away fans will stand in the 1,530 capacity John Askey Terrace.
Oh, and after winning last season’s National League he was given the freedom of Macclesfield.
Early signs from Town’s first couple of friendlies show that he will not be a baller and shouter, ranter or raver on the touchline.
And it seems that the spirit in Shrewsbury’s Sundorne Castle, which served the club so well last season under Askey’s predecessor Paul Hurst, is as upbeat as ever despite summer departures.
“The most important thing for me is knowing how people tick and getting them to work as a team,” added the new Shrewsbury boss.
“From my point of view that’s where I enjoy trying to work people out and getting the best out of them.
“More often than not I’ve been able to do that. Hopefully that’ll be the same.”
The added pressures of a matchday, with three points on the line, can mean the difference between success and failure and ultimately shapes livelihoods of others, meaning that players and staff can often relish the intense serenity of training.
“I enjoy it more than anything, coming into training and being part of the banter and seeing them train,” Askey added.
“More so than games. You can enjoy training but on a matchday the only thing that matters is winning those games. Coming to training is great.”
