Matt Tootle believes it is the right time to leave for a new challenge
The former Crewe Alexandra captain Matt Tootle paid tribute to the club after his long association came to an end yesterday when he penned a two-year deal at newly promoted Shrewsbury Town.
Tootle, 24, made close to 250 appearances for the club, winning promotion from League Two in 2012 and the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy a year later.
Overall, the defender had a 16-year association with the club and was captain under Steve Davis. His final season saw his appearances limited to just 18 games after he picked up an ankle injury in late October. He made it back from the injury to take his place on the bench away at Peterborough United but never got to put a Crewe shirt on again.
December.
thHis new club Shrewsbury visit Gresty Road on 28
Following his departure Matt said: “I just want to thank everyone associated with Crewe Alex for the last 16 years of my life I have been with them.
“We have had some amazing times and it’s a very emotional time for me to leave but it feels like my time is up there and it’s time for someone else to build a career as I have.
“Whatever the fans believe went on last year I can 100% promise I always wanted to pull on a Crewe shirt and will always hold Crewe in high regards.
He added: “Crewe are club very close to my heart and I’ve not got enough good words to say about them, but I think my time had come as I had been there since I was about eight.
“I believe it was the right time to go and I’m now looking forward to a new challenge. It was an easy decision when I found out Shrewsbury were interested.
Tootle added: “I had a bit of other interest but it was easy in the end when I knew Shrewsbury were involved.”