In an exclusive interview, former Shrewsbury Town defender Shane Cansdell-Sherriff looks back fondly at his time with the club.
Loyalty is not a word that is often associated with footballers. Some are accused of being mercenaries, chasing the next big contract whilst duping fans into believing they love their club.
The same cannot be said for Shane Cansdell-Sherriff. The Australian served Shrewsbury Town with distinction during his four years at the club – making over 150 appearances.
Beginning his professional career at Leeds United, the now 36-year-old was surrounded by famed talent, including his compatriots Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka.
The Whites were a dominant force in English football in and around the Millennium, finishing in the upper echelons of the table, and competing in the Champions League – at one point reaching the semi-final and beating the likes of AC Milan, Lazio, Anderlecht, Besiktas, and Deportivo along the way.
Leeds’ defence was as talented as any other’s in Europe with Rio Ferdinand, Danny Mills, Michael Duberry, Jonathan Woodgate, and Dominic Matteo all competing for centre-back places.
Cansdell-Sherriff’s lack of first team opportunities at Elland Road, led him to join Rochdale in 2002 for a brief loan spell.
He then represented Danish outfit AGF Aarhus for three years – scoring seven goals in 82 games.
Cansdell-Sherriff’s return to English football saw him ply his trade at Tranmere, the former Australian Olympic international then moved to Shrewsbury in 2008.
His debut took place on August 9th against Macclesfield Town. Now your first day at a new job is never easy, anxiety is likely to be through the roof, and you have a little voice in your head saying, “keep it nice and simple, don’t do anything rash.”
However, Cansdell-Sherriff ripped up the rule book and in the 31st minute he struck a thunderbolt from 40 yards that crashed against the underside of the bar with velocity, before flying past Jonny Brain. Shrewsbury eventually ran out 4-0 winners.
Speaking exclusively to Shropshire Live, Cansdell-Sherriff recalls his spectacular debut: “Scoring that goal on my debut was certainly a highlight of my career.
“It’s something that you dream about. I had never played defensive midfield until that day, and I had expressed my concerns to Paul Simpson.
“I don’t know why I shot from there, but I felt the momentum moving forward and just let go. Paul later laughed and said: “that’s why your there.”
Not a bad way to introduce yourself to your new club. Following that strike, Cansdell-Sherriff bagged another eight for Town although none topped that one in terms of sheer brilliance.
He continued to be a mainstay in the Shrewsbury Town team captaining the club and leading from the back.
Cansdell Sherriff built a successful partnership with Ian Sharps, with the duo offering solid protection.
On this partnership, the Aussie said: “Ian Sharps and I enjoyed a lot of games together both at Shrewsbury and Burton Albion.
“We had a lot of success too. It is hard to put a finger on the specific reason, but we just seemed to have an understanding.
“We always covered each other. We communicated well, we organised, but more importantly we had good players around us.”
Cansdell Sheriff built an impressive rapport with the supporters, and he clearly felt the same way and still does.
Explaining his passion for the club, he added: “Shrewsbury was and always will be a big part of me.
“I loved my time there – I felt Shrewsbury was where I grew up, and where I learnt the most about myself and my football.
“In my earlier years, I had some great senior players around me like Paul Murray, Mike Jackson, and Graham Coughlan.
“I learnt a lot from them as pro’s and developed a mentality that took me into my final years as a player, but is also coming through in my coaching style now.
“I made a lot of good friends at Shrewsbury on and off the pitch, and the fans have been very supportive from day one.”
During his time at Town, Cansdell-Sherriff played under Paul Simpson and Graham Turner: “My relationship with both was good.
“Both had completely different personalities and coaching styles. I particularly enjoyed working with Graham. His experience and mannerisms made the place enjoyable which allowed the players to feel free and expressive themselves.”
After cementing himself as a firm club favourite, including being part of a promotion winning side, Cansdell-Sherriff opted to depart for Preston North End.
“Leaving for Preston was a very hard decision given what we had achieved. I had spent so long trying to get promoted with Shrewsbury, that when we achieved promotion, I felt it was time to move on and find a new challenge.”
Following a two-year spell with the Lancashire club, Cansdell-Sherriff made just shy of 100 appearances for Burton Albion, and was part of the Brewers side that made the remarkable rise from League Two to the Championship.
He finished his career in his native Australia with Manly United and Maitland FC. He is now head coach of Adamstown Rosebud, a side located in New South Wales who feature in the Northern section of NSW football.
The club will enter its 130th year since it was formed, and Cansdell Sherriff is relishing his time there: “Since arriving back in Australia, I have been focussing on my coaching licence and getting experience.
“Adamstown Rosebud has given me a platform to start my management into football and I have loved every minute of it.
“Although we have a very young side with a very small budget, we have managed to upset some of the giants in our league – something the club has not been able to do for some years.
“Being able to work with young players to not only develop their game, but also to help them develop their mental approach to football and their life away from football, has been very rewarding for me.”
Cansdell-Sherriff has expressed his desire to become only the third male Australian to manage an English Football League club, and he has named the side he hopes to one day take charge of.
“My aspirations are to come back to England some day soon, with the aim of managing some of the clubs I played for.
“To one day manage Shrewsbury Town football club would be a great honour for me, but for now I will focus on learning my trade and building my CV.”
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