Harry Burgoyne named as Shrewsbury Town's new goalkeeper coach

Speaking at the supporters’ parliament, boss Gavin Cowan confirmed Burgoyne - who has been playing for Alfreton Town this season - has stepped into the vacant role. 

Burgoyne has already been assisting behind the scenes in training, working closely with goalkeepers Matt Cox and Will Brook.  He will assist the team ahead of their clash with Walsall at the Meadow. 

The 29-year-old succeeds Brian Jensen, who left Shrewsbury earlier this month after more than six-and-a-half years at the club. 

Cowan said: “We wanted to go with a profile that we felt was suited to the management staff. 

“I know Harry, we know each other and have had dialogue. Harry and Jamie know him. I would have liked to have brought him into Brackley at one point.

“He's very much been a player. But he's definitely at that stage now where he's got one eye on coaching. 

“We've had him in over the last couple of weeks, taking sessions, and been really impressed - really high level stuff.

“He's young, he's eager. He fits the management staff really well. He's got a passion to try and improve the goalkeepers.

“They've really taken to him. He's relatively young. I think the players have loved that, they've loved having him around.

“He's a great character in a good way, really professional. It’s been like a breath of fresh air having him about.

“When you've got someone who's really young and enthusiastic and wants to do well, sometimes I'm having to hold him back and say, less is more sometimes. 

“But he's been really infectious around the place. The two goalkeepers that we've got have really taken to him.”

“We'll have him until the end of the season. It's almost like a bit of a now until the end of the season, see how you get on. He hasn’t got a massive body of work, we understand that. 

“We feel like it's a great opportunity for him. He really suits our management staff, of wanting to be driven and full of energy. Really happy to have him on board.”

Burgoyne has made 19 appearances for Alfreton in the National League North this season, most recently against Scarborough Athletic last Tuesday, where he was sent off in stoppage time.

Born in Ludlow, Burgoyne’s football journey began when he joined Wolves at the age of 12 after being spotted playing for local side Ludlow Town.

Before joining Shrewsbury in 2020, he had loan spells with AFC Telford United, Falkirk and Barnet, among others. During his time at Telford in 2015, he made nine appearances.

Burgoyne initially signed for Salop in January 2020 on a short-term deal until the end of the 2019/20 season. His stay was later extended and, in May 2022, the club exercised an option to retain him for a further season. He was released at the end of the 2023/24 campaign.