ShrewsWeb revealed yesterday the news that Craig Disley had become Paul Simpson's first new signing of the close season.
Disley has signed on a two year contract after being released by Bristol Rovers and adds a bit of pace and attacking option to the Town midfield.
ShrewsWeb grabbed a quick word with Craig before he jetted off on his summer break and started by asking him how the move came around: "It came around pretty quickly to be honest, my agent got in touch with Paul over the weekend and we arranged to come up on Wednesday to have a look.
"I had a look around the club, spoke to the manager about his plans and after that it wasn't a tough decision to make.
"I signed there and then and was glad to get it all sorted and I'm now really looking forward to getting started.
"I had the chance to go to a number of other clubs but after I came here there was only one place I wanted to go."
The first impressions that players now get of Shrewsbury Town are a lot different than before.This was the case with Craig who had played at the old Gay Meadow several times but driving into the Prostar was a bit of an eye opener: "When I pulled in the stadium I was a bit taken a back as I didn't realise it was so good.
"I hadn't been to the new stadium and it is a really beautiful place and a great first impression for anyone."
Last season saw Craig play around 40 games in League 1 for Bristol Rovers but at the end of the season there was disappointment with him being released: "It was disappointment when they said I could go as I'd had 5 good years at the club.
"It was disappointing but that's football and people and times do move on.
"I know have a new challenge at Shrewsbury Town and it is one that I am really looking forward to."
He now begins the next chapter of his career by becoming a Shrewsbury Town player.It is something that he is really looking forward to even though a lot of his new team mates are new to him: "I don't know any of the players personally but the squad has a number of names that people all over the leagues know about.
"Grant Holt has scored a lot of goals and Ben Davies scores goals so people know about them.
"There is a good squad here and if the gaffer can keep that together then I think we will have a great chance of the top 3 next season.
"Shrewsbury have been unlucky in the last couple of season so let's hope that next season is a better one where we don't have to go to Wembley this time around."
Craig's description of himself as a player will please a number of Town fans who have been looking for an addition to the clubs midfield: "I'd probably say that I'm a box to box type of midfielder who likes to get up with the forwards.
"I like to get a chance of a goal or two but also work hard and give everything that I can to help the team."
The move sees Craig drop down a division but he's coming to a club that he doesn't think will take long to get promotion up the leagues: "I did want to stay in league 1 if possible but if I did drop down then I wanted to go somewhere that had a genuine chance of promotion.
"That is a real chance at Shrewsbury and I'm really looking forward to being a part of that next season and pushing Shrewsbury into league 1."
He's now off on a break to put his feet up but also to get married before the hard work of pre-season begins.The players return on July 1st and it can still be a bit of daunting experience for any player: "It will be a nerve racking experience no doubt but it's all part and parcel of football.
"Once you get in there amongst the boys the banter always kicks in so it should be ok.
"I remember my first day at Bristol rovers 5 years ago and I hated that, I guess it will be daunting but as soon as that's over I'm sure it will be fine.
"Once that's over I can look forward to the pre-season training and games and then get into the season flying."
