Academy Manager moves on to a new chapter
Shrewsbury Town can announce that Academy Manager Andy Jones will be leaving his position at the club.
Jones has been in charge of the Academy for the past 18 months.
In his time at the club six Academy players have progressed to sign professional contracts with the club.
Chief Executive Brian Caldwell is disappointed to see him leave, but remains positive about the changes Jones has implemented in his time with the Academy.
“He’s come from a teaching environment where he’s probably had 6 or 7 weeks off in the summer, in football it never stops”, admitted Brian.
“You work all day and night and in his position as academy manager the phone does go every night.
“I’m really disappointed to lose Andy Jones, but hopefully what he’s done in the year and a half he’s built a stronger base for us.
“I think AJ had done brilliantly, he’s taken the academy on a further step and the whole philosophy and the work he’s put into it is probably the envy of a lot of other clubs.
“It’s disappointing but I’m pleased that he has come in for year and a half and we’ve had that benefit of somebody who has come in, done really well and has taken the Academy a step in the right direction.”
Caldwell also announced that Eric Ramsay will be taking over the position.
“Eric, our Head of Coaching, is going to be taking over the role. We are going to restructure as well, so there will be a couple of job adverts going out for Head of Coaching.
“He’s got good experience, plus obviously, he knows how the clubs set up, he’s a local guy as well and he has got good experience from the Welsh FA and Swansea. So hopefully it gives some continuity to the academy nobody should be too concerned.
“We put a lot of money every year into the Academy to make sure we get it right. I think we’ve got a really good catchment area to try and get quality players form the Shropshire and North Wales area.”
The club would like to thank Andy for his hard work and dedication during his time with the club and wish him well in the future.