Shrewsbury Town confirm new captain for 2026/27 season

Will Boyle has been named Shrewsbury Town’s captain ahead of the new season.

Boss Gavin Cowan described the defender as the “brilliant” choice to lead Salop.

The centre-back succeeds John Marquis, who departed the club this summer, having served as vice-captain last season and regularly worn the armband in the striker’s absence.

Now entering his second campaign at Croud Meadow, Boyle has been handed the role on a permanent basis after impressing both on and off the pitch.

“Our club captain will be Will Boyle,” said Town boss Cowan.

“I think he’s a brilliant candidate. I have forming a really good relationship with him.

“He’s a man’s man, he’s a leader. He’ss brilliant around the training ground, around the dressing room and really committed to the cause that I've put forward.

“I’ve had big conversations on how committed he is to what it is that I want to do. And he’s invested in that.

“In terms of the team captain, if he’s playing, he’ll be the captain. But he’s got to get himself on the team. He has the same obstacles to overcome as all of the other players.

“He’ll be our club captain. If he plays, he’ll be our team captain.

“So, yeah, really, really proud to have him as well as the other players at the Football Club. And he’ll be a brilliant leader for us.”

Boyle was viewed as the leading contender to step into the role after serving as vice-captain last season.

With former skipper Marquis sidelined through injury between mid-February and late March last term, Boyle captained Shrewsbury for 10 consecutive matches and wore the armband in 17 of his 43 League Two appearances.

Boyle joined Shrewsbury from Wrexham last summer on a two-year deal and earned praise from Cowan for his leadership qualities during the previous campaign.

Asked whether a vice-captain had been appointed, Cowan added: “I haven’t discussed that at the moment. But if that comes about, I’ll let you know.”