Shrewsbury's Shaun Whalley: There are still miles in the legs

Whalley, 34, recently made his return from more than four months out of action due to a serious thigh and tendon injury and clocked up his 250th appearance in Town colours.

The popular winger is in his seventh season with the club, having triggered a contract extension this time last year, and sees his Montgomery Waters Meadow terms expire this summer.

Whalley said: "It's my life, basically. As well as my family, football is my life.

"I want to keep playing, first of all, I know I'm 34 but I still think I've got a good few more years left in me yet.

"I'm doing my coaching badges at the moment and I want to be a manager one day, hopefully that could be here as well a long way down the line. That would be unbelievable."

Whalley was just the second player since the club moved to Oteley Road in 2007, following Kelvin Langmead, to clock up 250 games.

The modest Liverpudlian admitted his pride in the achievement but said the impact on his family is particular source of pleasure.

"It was delighted to get 250, it's more of other people saying to me how much of an achievement it is, because I've just enjoyed playing," said Whalley, who has dedicated all of his 38 Town goals to son Jude.

"So it's not a massive for to me, really, but because people have been saying it's brilliant, my family and stuff, I'm proud that my family have said how much of an achievement it is."

Whalley, who was 27 when he joined Shrewsbury, says things 'just clicked' when he made the switch from Luton. He has previously said he knuckled down and focused more on his career.

"Yeah (there has been interest from other clubs) – I've been out of contract two or three times, you do hear rumours that someone wants you," added Whalley, who has played under Micky Mellon, Paul Hurst, John Askey, Sam Ricketts and Cotterill as permanent managers.

"But it's just always been in my best interest to stay at Shrewsbury and I'm glad I have now.

"I suppose because I've played my best football of my career at Shrewsbury. I don't know why but it just clicked straight away, the club just suits me, it happens sometimes with players.

"I was at the right age to settle down and have a good career somewhere."