Moving on was easy for Shirtliff

Nov 7 2009 by Nick Hilton, Liverpool Echo

PETER SHIRTLIFF returned to Prenton Park to find Tranmere’s backroom staff had undergone a game of musical chairs.

The former Sheffield Wednesday defender swapped his role as assistant manager to Ronnie Moore at Rovers for a similar position at Swindon Town in June. A few days later Moore was dismissed, marking the start of a period of upheaval at the Wirral club.

Shirtliff found physio Les Parry in caretaker charge of the side that lost 4-1 to Swindon last Saturday, with youth coach Shaun Garnett assisting the first team. John Barnes had been and gone as manager during the short time Shirtliff was settling in as number two to Danny Wilson at the County Ground.

Shirtliff says he has no regrets about the decision to leave Rovers, based in part on budget cuts he knew were coming and the likely break-up of the team he helped Moore to guide to a seventh place finish in 2008/09.

“I foresaw the budget cuts but that wasn’t the only reason I left,” Shirtliff said.

“After doing so well and with the prospect of losing more than half the team, I thought I just needed a fresh approach and a fresh challenge.

“And I was delighted when Danny phoned me and asked if I would be interested in coming to Swindon. It’s the chance to build something and hopefully we can keep progressing.”