Academy chief hails “positivity” sweeping through Shrewsbury Town

Academy bosses believe the success of Shrewsbury Town youngsters signifies the wider “upturn” and positivity at the club.

As Gavin Cowan and his management team masterminded a revival with the first team, securing League Two safety, the club’s under-18s enjoyed a historic, record-breaking season.

With Hugo Aiston becoming the club’s youngest-ever player, while Will Gray and Isaac England continued to shine and feature for the first team, and the under-18s winning the EFL Youth Alliance North West and Northern divisions, there has been plenty to celebrate.

Lead professional development phase coach Sean McAllister believes the success epitomises the positive feeling around the club.

“It's great,” he said. “There were worries throughout the season and then obviously the new manager has come in and the upturn, you feel a positivity.

“We feel like the academy has been positive throughout the last few seasons anyway in terms of their achievements here.

“We want to get more in the first team, we had obviously Travis Hernes who got sold which was a real positive and now you're seeing Will Gray and Isaac England within the first team.

“There was Tom Bloxham before that, but we want more successes and impact on the first team pitch.”

Hernes was sold as a 17-year-old to Premier League side Newcastle United in 2023 for an undisclosed fee. Shrewsbury also secured a 20 per cent sell-on clause as well as add-ons in the deal.

After spending the latter part of last season on loan at Danish Superliga club AaB, Hernes has spent this season on loan at Dutch side FC Groningen.

Meanwhile, Bloxham is another recent academy success story for Town, having made more than 120 appearances for the club before leaving for Blackpool.

There has been a brilliant turnaround at Shrewsbury under Cowan so far, and McAllister believes that has lifted the atmosphere around the club.

He continued: “There's definitely a better aura around the club. Obviously it helps when on the Saturdays, the first team are having success, so long may that continue.

“We'll keep doing what we're doing. First of all looking at the players and then if that brings success along with it then great.”