Ex-Shrewsbury Town man hails ‘unheard of’ quality of prospective new owner

Ex-Shrewsbury Town wing-back Elliott Bennett has hailed the club’s prospective new owner for his “unheard of” coaching qualification.

Miami businessman Scott Davidson has been revealed as the figure leading the consortium seeking to complete a takeover at Town.

The 58-year-old holds a Uefa A Licence coaching qualification - something which caught the eye of former Salop man Bennett, who believes it could prove a major asset to the club.

“The most exciting thing that I have read about the new ownership is the fact that the prospective new owner has a Uefa A licence, which is unheard of,” Bennett told BBC Radio Shropshire.

“He’s got the second highest qualification of a coach, and he is never intending on using it. I think that speaks volumes for the person he must be, because he wants to understand the job of the person he is employing, which is only going to benefit Shrewsbury in the long run.”

Bennett, who grew up in Telford, spent three seasons at Shrewsbury between 2021 and 2024.

Before joining Salop, Bennett spent six seasons at Blackburn Rovers, where he was captain, which is also the former club of Bradley Friedel who is part of the American consortium seeking to complete the takeover.

Asked if he knew the former United States goalkeeper, Bennett added: “Not personally, but people spoke very highly of him at Blackburn.

“He was a fantastic goalkeeper. If you spoke about Premier League goalkeepers, he would be one that came to your head if you had to do a pub quiz. That speaks volumes for what he did in his playing career.”

Should the takeover be completed, it would bring an end to Roland Wycherley’s long-standing ownership of the club.

Bennett also paid tribute to Wycherley and his contribution during more than 30 years at the helm.

“I would like to say what a job Roland Wycherley has done,” he said.

“Bringing the club to the new stadium, the training ground he has built, how he has saved them from bankruptcy.

“Everyone is excited and has a right to be for what is hopefully to come with the new owners. But before all of that is said and done, I think there’s got to be great credit given to the job he has done.

“It’s always hard when someone is at a football club. When he’s gone, I think people will realise just what a great job he has done for the club and the town.”