Griffiths played for Shrewsbury from 1988 until 1993

Shrewsbury Town's former striking sensation Carl Griffiths has revealed that he applied for the manager's job when Gary Peters was sacked last March.

The teenage Griffiths scored in his first two games for the club in 1988, against Manchester City and Leeds.

Now a first-time manager at non League Brentwood, he told BBC Radio Shropshire he is aiming higher.

"I applied for the job as a bit of a chance. I'm not experienced enough yet. I'd love to come back in the future."

Griffiths' early scoring exploits for Shrewsbury prompted a �500,000 move to Manchester City and an international place with the Welsh under-21s.

He never quite realised his potential, but still scored goals elsewhere after money moves to the likes of Portsmouth, Peterborough, Leyton Orient and Port Vale.

I'd love to be able to go back one day as manager Carl Griffiths

At one stage at Shrewsbury he was being touted by the national press to be Britain's first million-pound teenager.

"That affected my play - it was a lot to handle as an 18-year-old," he admitted.

"But the Shrewsbury manager Ian McNeil saw what was happening, pulled me out for a couple of games, and shielded me from all the publicity, and that helped me develop."

And Griffiths still holds Shrewsbury in great affection.

"They were my first club, where I came up through the ranks, and I always follow their scores.

"I'd love to be able to go back one day as manager, though Paul Simpson will do a good job for them and I wish him all the best."