Ex-Shrewsbury defender Gavin Cowan joined Telford from Nuneaton last June

Former Wolves and Wales defender Dave Edwards has joined his former Shrewsbury team-mate Gavin Cowan to help coach youngsters in Shropshire.

Cowan, who is now at AFC Telford, has also recruited Shrewsbury players Ben Davies and Ben Herd, as well as AFC's Stuart Whitehead.

"We want to supply the kids with good role models - and Dave and the other three are definitely that," said Cowan.

"The idea is to create fun and instil motivation and confidence in them."

Cowan, who has enrolled on a sports degree course while playing part-time for Telford, set up a coaching company to take the game into Shropshire schools.

"I love the coaching and I love my football," the defender, who has been an almost ever-present in Telford's Blue Square promotion chase this season, told BBC Radio Shropshire, "and I hope that is reflected in our approach with the children."

Over Easter, his four guests will join his regular coaches at the Lawley and Hollinswood schools in Telford.

"I want to give something back - and so do the other lads," Cowan added. "When I rang them, they all said 'yes' without a moment's thought.

"Not every kid will be lucky enough to be a footballer, so perhaps we can help them in life as well."

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