Paul Simpson’s summer rebuilding plans have been dealt a blow – with the Shrewsbury Town boss resigned to missing out on the signing of highly rated midfielder Asa Hall.
Hall was signed on loan from Birmingham in January and Simpson was keen to involve him in his plans for next season. The 21-year-old had been expected to secure his long term future with Town but has so far rejected the offer of a contract.
And Simpson admitted he was now resigned to losing Hall who looks likely to see his future away from the League Two club.
“Asa has not signed a contract and it’s got to a point now that I don’t think he will,” said the Town boss. “He is a young player who is looking to make his way in the game and I felt we would be a good place for him to progress.
“But the indications are that he will be looking elsewhere as he says he has a couple of clubs interested in him. It’s disappointing, but we now have to look elsewhere ourselves as there are other central midfield players out there.”
Simpson, who has just returned from holiday, said he had “irons in the fire” with new transfer targets but added it was unlikely there would be any developments for a number of weeks. “It’s a quiet time, everything’s really slow at this time of the summer. Players are either away on holiday or want to go away to think about things so I’m not expecting decisions quickly. I have talked to a few people, though, and I’d like to think we can get a couple in for the start of pre-season.”
Simpson, meanwhile, admitted Joe Hart’s elevation up the English ranks will provide a big boost for the club.
Keeper Hart continued his remarkable rise by becoming the club’s first £1m player after making his debut against Trinidad and Tobago.
“It’s great news for the club and it shows the younger players here what you can achieve if you do things properly,” said Simpson.
Hart’s departure to Manchester City saw Shrewsbury receive an initial £600,000 fee, and the club have received further payments for each appearance he has made for the club. Following his senior international bow, Town are now in line to pocket a further £500,000 as part of the deal.
• The sale of Town season tickets continues to go well with the club expecting a busy few weeks ahead. They reported this week that some 1,149 season tickets had been sold, with an anticipated rush in the next fortnight before the first “Early Bird” prices end on June 14.
“The sale of season tickets was steady at first but it is a lot busier now and we’ll be extending our opening hours to accommodate this,” said ticket office manager Judy Davies.
The club, meanwhile, have announced that season ticket booklets have now arrived. Anyone who has already bought a season ticket, but were not given the book, can now collect them during the normal ticket office hours, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, with late night Wednesday to 7pm.
The ticket office will also have extended opening hours next week as follows: Monday 9am to 6pm, Tuesday 9am to 6pm, Wednesday 9am to 7pm, Thursday 9am to 6pm, Friday 9am to 6pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm.
If collection is difficult, books can be posted out but there will be a charge of £4 to cover postage.
