Academy director - and first-team coach - David Longwell has left Shrewsbury Town to take up a new role at Premier League side Burnley.
David joined Town four-and-a-half years ago and has worked around the clock to improve our academy and build a pathway to enable our young players to break into the first team.
The Scotsman arrived at the club as academy manager but his knowledge, work rate and passion for developing players quickly saw him promoted to academy director and first-team coach.
David starts a new role as head of Burnley's academy today but before he left, he sat down with the Salop media team to discuss his time with the club.
David said:
"I've always been a big believer that you have to do things the right way and in fairness to the chairman, he wants to do things properly as well.
"Because of that I think my time here has been really productive. I think we have managed to create a positive pathway when you look at some of the players that are coming through.
"When I arrived I didn't think I'd be here for four and a half years. But it's been a really good journey and I've really enjoyed my time with the club.
"The academy is now really strong and there is now a lot more involvement with the first team. I think the link there is now better than it's ever been and that is obviously testament to what the club are trying to do.
"I think historically, Shrewsbury has been a club that has always brought its own players through. And what we have tried to do over the past four years is bring that back and I think we're on the right path.
"When I took over there was a lot of work to be done within the academy. But I'm really proud of the fact it is now so strong and has a really good reputation.
"I think that all the staff I have had from day one, right up to now, deserve a huge amount of credit for the amount of time and effort they have spent trying to help the players.
"I'm so proud of the staff that work there, I think they all do an incredible job.
"I'd like to wish the chairman and the club the best of luck for the season ahead."
Shrewsbury Town director of football, Micky Moore said:
"David has done a fantastic job building our academy over the past four years.
"He has an incredible work ethic and I would like to personally thank him for all the help he has given me since I came to the club.
"I just want to wish him all the very best for the future."
Chairman Roland Wycherley MBE and all the staff at Shrewsbury Town would like to wish David the best of luck for the future.
