Sam Ricketts gives his thoughts on the appointment of new Academy Manager David Longwell.
Sam Ricketts spoke to Shrewsweb this morning after it was announced that David Longwell had been appointed Academy Manager.
"It's a really good appointment, I met him a few weeks ago we had a coffee and went through a few things. It's a really positive signing for the club.
"He's got a proven track record, he's a great person as well. The idea is we work very closely together as we want the youth coming through. This will have a real positive impact on the club.
There are plenty of recent examples of the Academy pathway to the first team such as Ryan Sears picking up a man of the match performance against Wolves and James Rowland regularly appealing in the first team squad. Sam believes that's a really appealing feature of the club.
"I think that's what probably attracts youth to clubs these days. Is there a pathway to the first team? There are a lot of clubs now where that pathway isn't really there the higher up you go because of the money involved.
"If you're good enough you will get in the first team here which is a big attraction.
"David coming in is such a good appointment for the club and is a real coup to have someone of his calibre come here."