"Exciting times ahead" - John Marquis on Gavin Cowan's Shrewsbury Town project

John Marquis has billed the future at Shrewsbury Town under Gavin Cowan as “exciting” and something many players want to be part of.

Salop’s club captain is one of several players out of contract at the end of the season, having joined on a two-year deal in July 2024.

Looking ahead to the summer following their revival under Cowan - which saw them secure safety with three games to spare - Marquis admitted there is optimism around the club.

“It's about people showing that they're here for the right reasons and they want to see this club progress,” Marquis said about the end of the season.

“We know, certainly this season and obviously off the back of a relegation last season, the past 18 months have not been how anyone would have envisioned.

“I feel like we're in a much better place now with what's going on, in terms of off the pitch and what we're working towards.

“The management staff have got big plans and a big picture moving forward. It's exciting and a lot of people want to be a part of it.

“The manager's going to make sure that the people are here that do want to be a part of it.”

Marquis, Town’s top scorer with six goals in all competitions, says he would be open to extending his stay beyond his current deal.

Cowan is the fourth manager Marquis has worked under since joining the club, and the 33-year-old praised the impact he has made.

“He's brought a fresh energy and a fresh perspective to a lot of us,” Marquis added.

“They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, you definitely can.

“The energy, the enthusiasm, between himself and Jamie and Dave, which they have brought in. It has really lifted the club.

“When you look at the attendances, people coming to the game and the atmosphere, even after we have lost, the crowd have been able to see that we have been trying to implement a new style.

“There will be a bit of an overhaul and giving the gaffer a fresh slate and the keys to do what he wants to do, recruiting the way that he wants to recruit with the players and the way of thinking that he has, is only going to be positive moving forward.

“Moving forward I generally believe there's some really exciting times ahead.”