Steve Cross: Hurst can take Shrewsbury Town to the top

The former midfield ace believes Town made an inspired move when they plucked Hurst and assistant Chris Doig from Grimsby Town last October.

Hurst, who replaced Micky Mellon in the Greenhous Meadow hotseat, hauled the club off the foot of the table before guiding them to safety.

And Cross reckons that with the right backing from the board this summer he can engineer a promotion push next term.

“I think they have the capacity to kick on,” said Cross, who scored 33 goals in 262 games for the Town between 1976 and 1986.

“You look at Burton, they are no different to Shrewsbury in terms of size and you can see what they have done.

“If Paul Hurst gets the backing of the chairman, which I am sure he will, and he gets the team the team he wants, then I think he will do well.

“I think Shrewsbury could have a great season.”

Town were favourites to be relegated when Hurst arrived at Greenhous Meadow but he was able to engineer an escape and has already begun reshaping his squad for next year.

Strikers Arthur Gnahoua and Lenell John-Lewis have already arrived, while more signings are expected in the coming weeks.

Cross, who watches every home game, added: “I think he has done a fantastic job. When Micky Mellon went I was in despair because the club were in such a dire position.

“But it was an inspired appointment. I knew of the work he and (assistant) Chris Doig had done.

“He knows the non-league scene as well so hopefully we can pick up a few from there and hopefully have a really good season next year.

“He is a super bloke and knows the game. They will go a long way.

“As a player he was horrible to play against. He was small in stature but he could tackle. He was a hard player to beat and he wants his team to be the same.”