(Photo: Action Images)
By Harvey Burgess
Paul Hurst has left Grimsby Town after five years in charge to become the new Shrewsbury Town manager.
The two clubs agreed a compensation package to allow the 42-year-old to take over at the Shrews, who have been without a manager since the departure of Micky Mellon on 7 October.
Shrewsbury currently sit bottom of League One, having taken just ten points from 15 games so far this season.
Hurst led Grimsby to promotion to League Two last season and the Mariners have enjoyed a fine start to the season, sitting in 8th place and only outside the play-off places on goal difference.
Chris Doig, who was Hurst's assistant at Grimsby Town, has also made the switch to New Meadow.
The Mariners have appointed Dave Moore as caretaker manager while they search for a replacement for Hurst with ex-MK Dons manager Karl Robinson the early favourite with among bookmakers.
Hurst told the official Shrewsbury Town website: “I'm delighted. There was a lot of speculation around myself and this football club, so now I'm here, really looking forward to meeting the players and cracking on with a lot of hard work.
“It's a lovely ground. It's League One football. The position in the league isn't what anyone at Shrewsbury Town wants, but the aim is to come in and improve on that.”
The 42-year-old also called on fans of the Shrews to give their full support to the side, adding: “I think it's important to get behind the players.
“While there is a lot of frustration around at the minute, we've all got to pull together and again that will be the message to the players. We've got to come together as a group.”
