SHREWS’ GRAHAM NOT FOR TURNING IT IN YET
SHREWSBURY manager Graham Turner says that he is not ready to switch to a quiet life, and to prove it, he has just signed a deal to stay on as boss next season.
The 65-year-old, who is the longest serving manager in English professional football, is about to come to the end of a three-year deal that he signed on his return to the club in June 2010.
The initial plan was for Turner to take over as director of football next season and work in a more advisory role, but the former Aston Villa boss will be staying on the touchline instead.
“I still get a great buzz out of it,” he said.
“I could just sit back at my time of life and enjoy the sunshine. And I take nothing for granted. I know that, if results don’t go well, I’ll be shown the door.
“But the board seem reasonably happy with the job I’ve done, I’m working with people I trust and I’m happy to carry on as we are.”
This season Turner has not only kept the Shrews in League One in his 35th season in management, but also guided them to 16th in the table.
And club chairman Roland Wycherley is delighted at the continued stability.
“In a period where football clubs are seeing so many tough challenges throughout the leagues, we continue to endeavour to provide stability and continuity at Shrewsbury,” he said.
“We only have to look at local clubs, for example Chester and Wrexham, to see how clubs can suffer from previous poor management or an over-zealous approach in order to gain success in a league can put the future of the club at risk.
“Through a combination of the board’s strategy and Graham’s knowledge and experience, we have secured our position in League One without compromising Shrewsbury Town Football Club, an achievement which we are proud of.”