John Trewick, the latest addition to Shrewsbury Town’s coaching staff, insists the club have the ideal man at the helm in Graham Turner to bring back the good times.
Trewick knows Turner better than most having worked alongside him for six years at Hereford United, and the former Newcastle and West Brom midfielder firmly believes the Town legend can resurrect the club’s fortunes.
“He’s got a massive enthusiasm for the game and vast experience,” said Trewick, 53, delighted to be reunited with Turner at the Greenhous Meadow.
“He’s been at Wolves and Aston Villa since his first job at Shrewsbury and it’s destiny that he’s arrived back here.
“Who knows, it could be destiny that he takes the club forward again to the level they were when he left. He’s got a lot of attributes to do the job and I don’t think this football club could have brought in a better man.”
Trewick, who had a brief spell in charge of Hereford last season after a long stint as Turner’s No 2 at Edgar Street, said he was excited at Town’s potential and is looking forward to meeting the players when they report for the start of pre-season training today (Thursday).
“There’s an enormous amount of potential at the club to progress but, of course, you can’t do everything overnight,” he said.
“People can rest assured we’ll be working hard from the word go.
“You look at the stadium here and it’s wonderful, and the crowd potential is good.
“I remember the times when Shrewsbury were at what is now Championship level very well. I came to Gay Meadow to play many matches and I remember some of the players from that time. A lot of the supporters will remember those times and will want to see that sort of thing come back.
“We’ve got a bit of work to do before that happens but we’ll look to progress step by step. I’m absolutely delighted to be coming here with the boss and if we can have the same sort of success we had at Hereford I’ll be well satisfied. Two promotions in the next four or five years would be wonderful.”
Trewick will share coaching duties with Mike Jackson while Turner has drafted in Tony Ford, who won a gold medal for England at weightlifting in the 1974 Commonwealth Games, as fitness and conditioning coach on a part time basis.
Dave Ashlin, a Town season ticket holder for more than 30 years, has also been appointed kit man, replacing Pete Downward in the role.
“I’m pleased with the backroom staff,” said Turner, who is now close to appointing a chief scout and is also on the trail of several transfer targets.
Left back Joe Skarz, who spent last season on loan from Huddersfield, is one man who will not be returning after joining League Two rivals Bury.
Steve Leslie, 23, is now Town’s longest serving player after Kelvin Langmead completed his move to Peterborough.
Town, meanwhile, have frozen match day admission prices for the season.
“The club’s support last season was superb,” said a spokesman. “We also recognise the current economic climate is a difficult one.”
By Stuart Dunn