Joe Hart: joe hart happy to help as Shrewsbury see off Salford
joe hart enjoyed his night out in Salford after stepping in to help Shrewsbury for their 2-1 win in League Two. The former England and Manchester City goalkeeper filled in as goalkeeper coach for one night only after being asked by boss Gavin Cowan.
Joe Hart fills in
Hart was spotted in a Shrewsbury tracksuit on the pitch at Moor Lane ahead of the League Two clash and the club confirmed that, for one night only, he was assisting Gavin Cowan’s side with their preparations. He helped to warm up goalkeeper Matt Cox and, as a club statement and local coverage noted, also worked with his backup, Will Brook. A camera crew was seen following Hart at Salford as he filmed content during the evening.
How the match unfolded
Salford took the lead in the second minute of first-half stoppage time when Shrewsbury goalkeeper Matthew Cox pushed a mis-hit Ryan Graydon volley against Luca Hoole and the ball rebounded off the centre-back into his own net. Shrewsbury levelled six minutes after the break when Tom Sang picked out the bottom corner from the edge of the box, and the turnaround was completed after 76 minutes when Will Boyle fired a low shot past Matthew Young. The comeback gave Shrewsbury a fifth straight win, while Salford have now lost five straight games.
Cowan and Hart comments
Hart said: “It was a lot of fun. It was really nice to help out. “We’re in a complicated situation at the moment and I am close with Gav – so I said if I could help, I would and tonight it worked out perfectly. “I wanted to come in and help. I wanted to use everything that I’ve amassed over the years, but at the same time I totally respect what the boys are building here and I’m not going to be a part of it come tomorrow. So, if I have helped in any way, great. ”
Cowan said: “It is a real privilege to have him here tonight. “He’s a great guy and to show humility, to want to come and help us. Me and David Edwards called on him for a little bit of support and asked if he knew anyone. “He has volunteered to come in and has been a breath of fresh air. The lads have really taken to him. “He really wants to come back to his hometown club and offer something if he can. But again, I don’t want people to read too much into it. It’s just genuinely a mate helping out mates. ”
On his recent contact with Hart, Cowan added: “It’s nothing more simple than a mate trying to help mates out. “I have spoken to Joe recently when I got appointed. Dave was in dialogue with him and we have been speaking about how just sometimes appointments take a bit of time. “We were picking Joe’s brains on goalkeeper situations and it’s just a mate wanting to help mates. “He offered to come down and be a part of what we are doing. It is just another confirmation of the class act that he is. “He is a very humble guy and has stayed very grounded after having a lot of professional success over the years. “Personally he is a fantastic guy. He’s not too far away - I know he is a busy guy - but it has still taken a lot to be here. “But it was the first thing that he wanted to do - ‘can I offer my help and expertise’. “He will be coming in to help us and really try to drive us towards three points. ”
Cowan also said: “I think it will be a one-off. I am sure myself and the staff will be trying to persuade him otherwise, but we are hoping to make an appointment this week. “Joe has been a really good shoulder to lean on to really try and understand what we want in and around the club and what is required having worked with so many top goalkeeper coaches. “We are really thankful that Joe has taken the time to come and help us as mates. ”
Salford reaction and Robinson
Salford boss Karl Robinson urged supporters to direct their frustration at him rather than the players. He said: “Come for me. Please. Not my players. “I’m the manager and I’m the one who will stand there and I’ll protect them. But internally, we have to learn and we have to be better. “Once again, we lose a match that we had complete control of in 10 minutes and then regain control too late. “Every team goes through horrific moments. That’s why winning is so amazing, because you go through difficult moments like today. “This team will turn it around. We are good enough to go on a run of 10 games – I am 100 per cent confident about that. ”
Hart's recent work and history
The 38-year-old has been in the public eye since hanging up his gloves in 2024, having turned his hand to punditry. He has been a regular on Match of the Day and has also appeared on TNT Sports coverage of the Champions League and Europa League. Hart is well known in the Manchester area, having made more than 260 appearances for Manchester City, winning the Premier League twice, and several local reports described him as an ex-Celtic star and a Celtic title winner in recent coverage of his short coaching appearance.
Born in Shrewsbury, Hart started his career with the Shrewsbury club after coming through their youth academy and he made his professional debut with Shrewsbury. He was still a pupil at Meole Brace School, aged 15, when he was first named in a senior matchday squad as a substitute for Shrewsbury in 2003.
Salop are currently without a permanent goalkeeper coach following the departure of Brian Jensen, and former Town goalkeeper Harry Burgoyne has been helping out in the interim.
Closing paragraph: Joe Hart’s one-night role at Moor Lane and the Peninsula Stadium ended with Shrewsbury’s comeback and a 2-1 victory, a night that combined friend-to-friend support, a tactical warm-up for Matt Cox and Will Brook, and several public comments from Hart, Cowan and Karl Robinson about the result and next steps.
