Mat Sadler revealed as John Askey's Shrewsbury Town captain
Mat Sadler has been confirmed as Shrewsbury Town captain for the upcoming season.
The 33-year-old was made club captain by John Askey predecessor Paul Hurst, although the since departed Abu Ogogo wore the armband on match days.
Forward Lenell John-Lewis is Shrewsbury's club captain.
Askey told the players his decision at Sundorne Castle training today. Sadler, entering his fifth season as a Shrewsbury player, will lead the side out against Bradford at Montgomery Waters Meadow tomorrow.
The experience stopper has made 178 appearances for Town.
Sadler said: “I love the football club.
“There’s been ups and there’s been downs throughout my time here, but consistently I’ve maintained the real enjoyment of playing for the club and it’s become part of me now.
“It’s strange how clubs can do that to you. Growing up I was a Birmingham fan, but it’s strange how a club can get under your skin and Shrewsbury Town most certainly has.
“I’m chuffed to bits.
“It’s a big honour for me, I’m really proud to do it, really proud for the manager to give it to me. The manager told me yesterday that that was who he was going with, so I was obviously delighted.
“I’ve said many times how much I love the football club and it’s an honour to be captain of this football club going into a new era, an exciting era.”
Askey revealed the decision to appoint 'respected' Sadler was a straight-forward one.
He added: “He conducts himself in the right way, not only in games but in training as well, and he’s good about the place, so the perfect one to choose really. He’s respected by the players and the staff as well, so it wasn’t a difficult decision.
“He had a good season last season. He’s 33, but the way players look after themselves now there’s no reason why he can’t go on for quite a bit longer.”
On John-Lewis, who enters his second season with the club, he continued: “Every time he trains he does it properly, every time he plays he gives everything that he’s got.
“He’s a good example to the rest of the players, he’s well-liked by the rest of the players, well respected and the perfect one to do that job.
“He’s a really nice bloke and as I say he conducts himself well like Mat, so again it was quite an easy choice."
