Jamie Tolley: The possibilities are endless - Shrewsbury Town’s exciting new chapter

There is a huge amount of excitement, personally, but also a great sense of relief.

A takeover has been talked about for a number of years and now we are finally here. There is a real sense of anticipation about what is to come and what this club could become.

There is huge potential. Look at the facilities already in place - a fantastic stadium, an excellent training ground, a strong youth set-up, the women’s team and the foundation. Everything is there for the new owners to build on.

There is a fantastic platform and, in my opinion, they can take this club wherever they want to.

The town will benefit, too. The increased attention on the football club can only help, while the infrastructure and investment they could bring to the area and local businesses could be significant. The possibilities are endless.

It is a really exciting time to be in and around Shrewsbury Town.

Of course, the takeover also brings the departure of long-standing owner Roland Wycherley, who has been at the helm for more than 30 years and achieved some brilliant things.

I was at the club for nearly seven years as a player, and in that time we experienced plenty of highs and lows. We suffered relegation, but also enjoyed promotion, some unbelievable cup runs and incredible occasions at the Meadow that will live long in the memory.

One of Roland’s biggest projects was the move from the Gay Meadow to the New Meadow, and everything that came with it. He spearheaded that whole process.

I believe his time at the football club should be remembered fondly, and I hope that is how people look back on it.

I have plenty of stories from my time with the chairman, some of which I won’t go into in this column! But there are countless memories, and one thing I will say is that he is a funny man. Whenever you bump into him, he loves a laugh and a joke.

We had a great core group of players and a really tight-knit dressing room when I was there. Roland would regularly come in, get involved in the banter and have a laugh with the lads. It was great to see.

Even now, I have bumped into him at away games around the country and we have exchanged a bit of banter in the car parks. Some of those stories are probably best left out of print!

And so, in comes the new ownership group, led by Scott Davidson.

Not only is he a successful businessman, but he also holds a Uefa A Licence. That means he understands the football side of the game, which is another fantastic string to his bow.

We have also seen the impressive work they have done in Scotland with The Spartans. It is not just about the football club itself, but its place in the community and the work they have done there. Everything looks very positive.

Then there is Brad Friedel, who is coming in as sporting director. He is a huge name in football, recognised across the world.

He is outspoken, which I like. He knows what he wants and is a football man. I think the combination of him and Scott, alongside the current squad and management team, could be a really strong one.

I am hugely positive about what lies ahead. Where it could lead, who knows?

That said, there is only so much the new owners can do at this stage, particularly when it comes to the football side of things.

It is important that the players remain focused. I have no doubt they will, and manager Gavin Cowan will make sure standards do not slip.

The priority is to stay in touch with the teams at the top end of the table and get through the busy Christmas period, which we all love.

Then, when January comes around, we can take stock of where we are, who is available and what additions might be possible.

Everyone knows the squad is light. For now, it is about sticking together, continuing to play some brilliant football and keeping ourselves towards the top end of the table.

Come January, who knows where this American adventure could take us?