"There is plenty to be positive about with the clubs planned new facilities and the clear ambition to move forward. The chairman and board have been honest from day one with their ambitions for the football club"

- Declan Allen - First Team Manager

The Chairman and Board of Shawbury United Football Club are delighted to announce the appointment of former AFC Telford United Youth Head Coach, Declan Allen, as our new First Team Manager and Assistant Manager Sean Evans.

After a rigorous and in depth interview process both Declan and Sean were seen as oustanding candidates to lead the ongoing development of our growing football club. The club feel both will have an immediate positive impact throughout our junior setup and indeed the senior set up including our new u18's players who have enjoyed a very successful first season in the Midland Floodlit League.

Declan was appointed AFC Telford United’s Youth Team Head Coach under Rob Edwards and his role was maintained under the current manager Gavin Cowan. Declan leaves his role at the Bucks as one of the most successful Youth Team head coaches in recent times winning back to back league titles while guiding the side to three cup finals, winning the Shropshire FA Youth Cup. He also oversaw the development of Jack Downing who went onto sign a contract at the club. A trusted member of Gavin Cowan’s staff, Declan took charge of the first team in the Huddersfield Cup and Shropshire Senior Cup of which the club won and finished as runners up respectively.

Declan said on his appointment “I am excited to be joining the club and would like to thank the chairman and the board for giving me the opportunity.

There is plenty to be positive about with the clubs planned new facilities and the clear ambition to move forward. The chairman and board have been honest from day one with their ambitions for the football club and it matches my own ambitions in football which is to progress and kick on.”

Sean joins the club having had a brief coaching spell with Whitchurch Alport after very successful periods as Shrewsbury Town and AFC Telford United Ladies manager. Sean previously received recognition by the Shropshire FA for his achievements and holds a UEFA B qualification.

Allen said of the appointment of Sean Evans as his assistant “Sean is a very good coach who has previous management experience also. We can feed off of each other in terms of ideas. It’s important to have the right people around you which you can trust, and Sean certainly fits that mould. His ambition and love for game matches my own and it was a straight forward decision to bring him in.”

Sean said of his appointment, “I am absolutely delighted to have joined the club. I have been looking for the right opportunity and when I met the manager and the board it was a no brainer. The club has been in a bit of a rut but the potential is there to take the club forward. The plans for the new ground and training ground are very exciting and we can’t wait to get there. The manager and I are determined to repay the faith shown in us and bring the good times back to Shawbury United.”

The club would like to welcome both Declan and Sean to the club and wish them the very best in their new roles here at Shawbury United.