Shrewsbury Town saw potential ninth summer signing fall through

Shrewsbury Town saw a move for a ninth summer signing collapse at the final hurdle ahead of their season opener.

Boss Gavin Cowan revealed the club had completed the player’s medical and media duties and believed the deal was close to being finalised.

However, the move fell through, with Cowan insisting the club could not afford to put itself in a vulnerable position. The Shrewsbury chief also praised chairman Roland Wycherley for backing him in the transfer window to help strengthen his squad.

Cowan said: “We’re hoping to get a few more in. We actually had one in the building yesterday, all signed, sealed and delivered, but not quite signed.

“Medical done, media done, everything done. And then in the last minute, a few things that unfortunately the football club can’t be backed into a corner.

“Fair play to the chairman. It’s been said to me that I need to get some out before I get some in. Now he’s superseded that because he knows I need players and I want them yesterday.

“He’s been brilliant in backing me. I have been really appreciative of that. Whatever they’ve got, they’ve given me.

“Whether people agree with how much that is, it’s where it’s at. But now they’re trying to go above and beyond to help me, and they did that yesterday (Friday, August 7).

“But unfortunately, we were left in a bit of a predicament where we can’t leave the club exposed.

“I think previous to the tenure of myself and Liam, the chairman has had to endure maybe signings that have left the club a little bit open.

“We want all the best players. This player was a particularly good player - one I’m really, really a fan of.

“But we can’t leave the club exposed. We have to make sure that we win football matches, of course. But I think the right thing to do is to make sure that we keep the club intact.

“I don’t want to be, in years to come, looking back on my tenure and knowing that I left the club in a precarious position. We’ve got to make sure the club stays safe and in its rightful place.

“But we obviously want to kick on on the football pitch. So, yes, we really appreciate that. We’ll carry on now.”

The summer transfer window closes on September 1, giving Cowan almost a month to continue his search for further reinforcements.

Salop have made eight signings so far this summer, with goalkeeper Sam Proctor the latest arrival on a season-long loan from Aston Villa.