Shrewsbury Town’s Academy Head of Coaching Dan Copnall is set to leave the club and join the Professional Game Academy Audit Company who will work on the Premier League’s new Academy Audit set-up.
Dan has been with Town for 18 months in his current role and has worked hard on the development of the coaches and of the club’s Academy.
The opportunity has arisen and Dan will leave the club with thanks for all the hard work and dedication shown over the last 18 months.
Town’s Academy Manager David Longwell is disappointed to see Dan go but fully understands his decision.
“I’m very disappointed that he is leaving but he goes with our very best wishes as he’s been an really good employee for the last 18 months”, said David.
“Since I’ve some in he’s been so helpful and very supportive during the transition.
“It’s a great opportunity going to the Premier League to become part of their new auditing set-up and that’s going to be great for him.
“It was a difficult decision for him because he wasn’t wanting to leave but the decision is taken out of his hands a bit as it is such a great opportunity.
“We hope he is very successful there as he’s done such a terrific job here and we just have to look for someone else to come in.”
The role of the Academy is to develop players through all age groups but the development of its staff is also important. Coaches come to Shrewsbury Town to improve and Dan’s departure shows that other clubs and organisation are keeping an eye out on what we are doing.
“Dan has come here and he’s been recognised because of the great work he has done here in the coach development role”, said David.
“That’s good because you want to see people who put the work in recognised for what they do.
“If that happens then they can progress and for Dan he deserves that opportunity.”