Sadler was the big winner at the Player of the Season awards
Mat Sadler admitted that he was “blown away” after receiving three honours at Town’s Player of the Season awards on Sunday night.The defender won Players’ Player, Fans’ Player, and the Player in the Community award to end a season that has seen him take on a key role in the heart of Paul Hurst’s back line, as well as operating as stand-in captain on occasion.
Sadler couldn’t hide his delight after receiving the recognition, and he explained just how much the awards mean to him and his family.
“I’m blown away to win those awards, it’s an honour and a privilege to win them.
“It’s a big thing for me and I’m looking forward to tell my family about it, it means a lot.
“I’m proud to play for Shrewsbury and to be awarded for that means the world to me.”
The Town No.3 had suffered a difficult start to the season under the previous management, but Hurst’s introduction as boss in October saw Sadler’s role transformed.
He became a key player in the side that lifted themselves from the bottom of League One to safety, operating in a centre-back role where he hadn’t previously been seen at the Greenhous Meadow.
“It’s been a turnaround for me, I love being out there, it means a lot to me every single time I play.”
Sadler continued: “I wanted to try and make an impact when the new manager came in, and it’s been great playing at centre-half, I’ve loved it.
“It’s where I always played as a kid and it’s where I look forward to playing in the future.”
The award winner gave a mention to goalkeeping coach Danny Coyne on receiving his awards, and he wanted to make sure that everybody recognises how the popular staff member navigated a difficult period in the season.
“It was a big transitional period for the club. Coyney is a top guy, he’s a good football person and he’s a good bloke, I get on really well with him.
“I thought he needed a special mention, because it was tough time for the football club, results weren’t great, but he kept us all together.”
With his contract up in the summer, Sadler gave a positive update on his situation with the club.
“That’s my intention [to sign] so fingers crossed it gets sorted out.
“The priority was always to get ourselves over the line and that was before any sort of personal stuff, the most important thing is always the football club.”
Sadler was also keen to highlight the work of Jamie Edwards and Shrewsbury Town’s Community team after receiving the Player in the Community award.
“It’s a big part of our job, we want to perform on a Saturday of course but the bigger picture is that this football club will be here long after I’m gone and anyone else has gone.
“It will be the people that we see in the community that move this club forward.
“To have any sort of an impact at all, that’s what the job is all about.”