Tom looking to build on strong finish to the season
Tom Bradshaw is looking to build on his strong finish to last season after signing a new contract at the Greenhous Meadow this morning.
The Wales under-21 international striker became the second of the six players offered a new deal by manager Graham Turner to pledge his future to the club following midfielder Aaron Wildig earlier this week.
Bradshaw admits last season was a frustrating one, but the 20-year-old is now keen to pick up where he left off after being handed the chance to impress in the last three matches against Colchester, Oldham and Portsmouth.
"I still believed that the club had every confidence in my ability," said Bradshaw. "The opportunity didn't really arise last season bar the last three games.
"It was brilliant and it was what I was waiting for all season, to be given my chance. I got man of the match against Oldham and had a couple of goals disallowed but even the gaffer told me they weren't offside.
"The one when Jon crossed for me definitely wasn't and the other one was questionable. If those two had counted it would have made it even sweeter, but I felt I did really well and showed what I could do."
Bradshaw's affection for Shrewsbury shines through. He was born in the town and, although he moved to the Welsh coast at a young age to live in Tywyn, he is now one of the club's longest serving players at the age of 20 alongside Jon Taylor.
That's why he's so pleased to have sorted out his immediate future.
"I've lived here for the last five years, I was born here, and all my family live here," he said. "It's a great club and it's a great place to be."
Bradshaw is currently the only recognised striker in the first team squad but knows that will all change in the coming weeks and months.
"You need competition," he said. "Obviously the gaffer and the club probably need four strikers and you need that competition to push yourself on as a player. It drives you on to be a better player."
Bradshaw is now excited about next season and believes in some ways it's a fresh start for him.
"Every season's been a big one and it will continue to be for the rest of my career because you're never stable in football," he added.