We are proud to reveal that Cally Stewart has signed for League One side Shrewsbury Town for an undisclosed fee.

The Leamington fan signed for the Brakes from Coventry Sphinx in the summer of 2023, and has since gone on to score 37 goals in 74 appearances and is currently the top scorer in the Vanarama National League North.

He will join up with Gareth Ainsworth's side, that includes another Leamington-born player in former Coventry City man Jordan Shipley.

Cally joins a number of players who have moved into the Football League after playing for the Brakes, and manager Paul Holleran spoke to club media on his departure.

"There’s mixed emotions in losing Cally," Holleran said. "We’re sad to be losing such a wonderful young man, a great character. We’ve been on a bit of his journey with him - developing with us over the last 18 months from when he joined to where he is now.

"With him being a Leamington supporter, he’s got that affinity with everyone. As much as we’re disappointed to lose him, it’s been weighed out with the happiness for him and his family and the work that he’s put in, starting at step 6 or 7, being rejected by more clubs than probably any other player has, to keep going at step 6 and 5 and scoring plenty of goals, getting better and better is an amazing achievement. Both ourselves and Coventry Sphinx will be immensely proud, when he gets that scarf above his head at a L1 club it’s going to be a special moment and just another step on his journey.

"It’ll be great to see where he goes, looking at his last 18 months with us and how he performed before then - he’s a hungry player and with the right management and full time training, it’s genuinely exciting for his future.

"Whilst I understand some around the club might be naturally disappointed, when you get EFL clubs coming in for young players it’s very hard to stand in their way after everything he’s worked for here. With Micky Moore and Gareth Ainsworth, he’s in good hands at a great club. I speak on behalf of everyone at the club in wishing Cally and his family all the best, as they know - they’ll always be welcome at the club, and we can’t wait to see what’s next."

With a proven record of scoring goals, Stewart is raring to give League One a go. His Shrewsbury Town team play Wrexham tomorrow night, live on Sky Sports.

"A massive thank you to the fans, players, the gaffer and everyone at the club. Without the gaffer I wouldn’t have been able to develop in the way I have and sign for a League One club. I’ve made so many special memories made at the club in the 18 months I’ve been here. Hearing my chant from the terraces sung every week has been brilliant, and they are memories I’ll always take with me.

"It’s been a privilege as a local lad and a fan to be given the chance represent the club and even captain Leamington. I was a Brakes fan before I joined and I’ll carry on being a fan forever. It’ll be the first result I check every week, and I definitely won’t be a stranger. 

"Wishing everyone at the club all the best for the future, and a massive thank you for the special memories made. I’ll see you all very soon.

"Once a Brake, always a Brake."

As part of the deal, Shrewsbury Town have agreed to visit Leamington in Pre Season 2025. We are looking forward to welcoming Cally back then, as well as the rest of the Shrewsbury team, staff and supporters.

Go well, Cally.