Gavin Cowan’s message to Shrewsbury Town’s new American owners after Oldham win

Gavin Cowan hailed his Shrewsbury Town players for showing the club’s new owners what they are capable of in their victory over Oldham Athletic.

Cowan revealed that new owner Scott Davidson and sporting director Brad Friedel went into the dressing room after the game to congratulate the players following an impressive performance.

It was a day to remember for Salop supporters as the club’s new era under American ownership got off to a winning start.

Reflecting on the occasion, Cowan said: “I just try to stay focused. But I did just enjoy a little moment in the changing room where Scott and Brad came in and congratulated the players.

“And I think that was really lovely for the players, just to hear the new ownership come in and show their appreciation.

“It was great for me as well. I really enjoyed standing back and watching that because a lot of hard work has gone into the takeover happening.

“They're here now. It's been a really busy week. But just for the players to get those warm words is really, really encouraging for them.

“And obviously for them to see what we’re capable of. We’ve put in many a performance like that this season. And we got the result with it today. So onwards and upwards.”

Kevin Berkoe was the match-winner for Town, scoring the opening goal in the 73rd minute before setting up the second to seal an important three points.

The victory capped a historic week for the club after Davidson’s consortium completed its takeover, and Cowan praised his side for delivering a performance befitting the occasion.

“It's a brilliant performance for what we've worked on all week,” he added.

“The players just deserve a huge amount of credit for their professionalism.

“It’s been an incredible week for this football club. It’ll go down in history.

“The new ownership have been an absolute class act. The way they’ve conducted themselves and allowed us to do our job and kept the limelight away, which is important.

“They’ve wanted to obviously get out and among the community, but they’ve allowed us to do that. But then it does fall on the players and the staff then to remain professional.”

Cowan admitted he had repeatedly reminded his squad to stay focused amid the excitement surrounding the takeover this week.

He continued: “I’ve been banging on a little bit and whinging and moaning to the players and making sure that they stay focused and making sure they stay professional and that they’re staying tuned in.

“Some players, maybe with an extra couple of thousand on the gate, might have caved in today and maybe gone on their own agenda, but they really believed in the game strategy, which there was a lot of detail for us today.

“Oldham are a very, very good team. When you’ve got a manager like Micky Mellon, you have to prepare properly and the detail is quite in depth and it was this week.

“They took all of that on board and then they brought their hard work and their desire and doing a job-and-a-half all over the pitch. So it’s a huge credit to the players.

“I just think they’ve been an absolute class act today.”