Former Macclesfield Defender George Pilkington is named as First-Team Coach
Shrewsbury Town are pleased to announce the appointment of George Pilkington as First-Team Coach.
George was part of John Askey’s Macclesfield Town squad that gained promotion from the National League last season, but has decided to hang up his boots to move into his new role at Shrewsbury Town.
“I’m overjoyed”, said George.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity to work with my previous manager in a new role for myself. I’ve got a lot to learn, but I’ve met a few of the staff today and they’re all fantastic.
“I had a contract on the table to still play for another year, but I was getting to that stage in my career where I was probably looking to retire anyway in the next year, so the timing’s right and more importantly the opportunity to come here and work for such a great club is a brilliant opportunity that I’d be silly to turn down.”
This will be George’s first job in professional coaching and he is hoping to learn off his former boss.
“He’s an honest, straight-forward guy - I think we’re quite similar really in that sense”, said Pilkington.
“I’ve enjoyed playing for him and I’ve made that transition now to being a First-Team Coach. I’ve got a lot to learn but I wouldn’t want to work for anybody else.
“I’ve still got to find my feet as a coach. Everybody goes about it in a different manner and speaks to players in a different manner.
“I’m not a ranter or raver, I will probably just try and direct plays if I see fit, but I know there’s good staff here already that I will be able to learn off and take it from there.
“Hopefully I will be able to train a bit and I think that brings a different insight. I think you do see different strengths and weaknesses, but on the back of last year I think it’s just a fantastic opportunity and I can’t wait to get out there and work with them.”