Sam Ricketts believes Graham Barrow is 'perfect fit' as Shrewsbury Town confirm new assistant

The 64-year-old was Ricketts’ No.2 at former club Wrexham and took over as boss at The Racecourse when Ricketts departed for Shropshire.

He has been out of work since leaving in February.

Barrow managed the clubs he spent most of his playing career at, Chester and Wigan, in the 1990s, as well as spells in charge of Rochdale and Bury

“I thought it was really important for myself and for the club with what we are trying to achieve here is to have someone who has managed and coached at all levels as part of the group," said Ricketts.

“Graham has experience to lean on when required as he’s been there and done it, but he is very good and very driven at being successful.

“He wants to be successful, as do I and the club and I think it will be a perfect fit with his experience and drive.

“Graham has coached and managed from non-league through to the Premier League and he knows the game inside and out.

“I believe he will be a valuable asset to the team and will help to improve standards and push us on.

“Graham is also young and hungry in his heart and isn’t someone who is just coming in to go through the motions."

The experienced coach was appointed Wigan first-team coach in 2009 under Roberto Martinez, a former Swansea team-mate of Ricketts.

He had three times been a caretaker at Wigan between 2013 and 2017 before linking up with Wrexham last summer.

Barrow bring vast experience to Ricketts’ backroom staff at Montgomery Waters Meadow, which is currently undergoing change after long-term goalkeeper coach Danny Coyne left, with others expected to follow.

Head of performance Jon Pitts and first-team scout Luke Fogarty were the only members of staff to follow Ricketts to Shrewsbury.

Ricketts was without a No.2 for his first six months at Town, though he works closely with Pitts, while coaches Coyne and Eric Ramsay were heavily involved.