Boss Paul Hurst delighted to bring in Ben Godfrey
Paul Hurst’s exuberance rubbed off on chairman Roland Wycherley as the boss made Ben Godfrey his 14th new signing of the summer.
The 19-year-old midfielder checked in until January as Shrewsbury’s sixth loan signing, something Hurst had been keen to avoid with only five permitted on a match day,
But the boss’ willingness to land long-term target Godfrey persuaded Town’s board to finalise the move.
Hurst said: “He’s a player I tried signing at my previous club. I tried signing him in January, tried this summer.
“When I got the call it was something I was very keen to do and I think my keenness and ambition to get him here rubbed off on the chairman – thanks to him for his support to allow me to bring Ben in.
“Yes I’ve given myself a headache but the biggest part is to strengthen the squad and club. I felt it’s something I had to act on.
“It’s (six loans) not ideal. It’s something I’ve got to take on the chin. I created that situation. At one point Stef (Payne) potentially could’ve been a loan and I’d had wanted to do that one.
“I brought Ben in mainly to play midfield but he can play right-back and centre-back, so there’s more cover there. Overall, it was a no-brainer again. It takes it to six and now it’s a situation I’ve got to manage.”
On the possibility of a current loan returning to their parent club, Hurst said: “We need a squad. Conversations can happen but ultimately we need players, who’s to say that one of those doesn’t pick up an injury in training?”
