Micky Mellon: Nothing personal over Shrewsbury Town departures
Shrewsbury Town boss Micky Mellon says there was nothing personal behind the recent departures of defenders Tamika Mkandawire and Dave Winfield.
Both had been under contract for the forthcoming season but left the Greenhous Meadow last month.
It was mutually agreed that Town would cancel Mkandawire's contract while the club said it had also come an agreement regarding the rest of Winfield's.
Both would have come under pressure for places next season after Mellon bolstered his centre-back options with the signings of Nathaniel Knight-Percival and Mark Ellis.
But asked about the departures, Mellon said: "It was nothing personal, nothing ability wise. I just wanted to put my own team together.
"It is just one of these situations that you get in football that any manager coming into a new club wants to put his own team together.
"I spoke to both of them and I know that they understood that. They were both ultimate professionals in the way that they dealt with that.
"They are both experienced guys and they both understood that. That is just something that happens in football."
Winfield and Mkandawire were followed swiftly through the exit door by popular midfielder Jon Taylor who joined League One high-flyers Peterborough for an undisclosed fee on a three-year deal two days later.
Mellon admitted that he had been keen to retain the services of last season's top-scorer.
He said: "I came into the situation where there was interest in him, and having spoken to the lad he wanted to play at as high a level as possible.
"Of course we are disappointed to see Jon go but I must stress after speaking to him, it was such a big decision for him. He loves the club and he had to make a decision to play at that level. We couldn't stand in his way with that.
"We believe we got fairly compensated for Jon and we wish him all the best because he is great lad and has been a great servant to the club.
"And I promised him that I would make the fans aware of that. He goes with our best wishes."
Meanwhile, Shrewsbury have confirmed that former Wigan and Tranmere striker Simon Howarth will be working with the club as a forwards coach.