'˜The fans will love him'

Adam Stevens was Shaw’s boss at Grantham Town until this summer when both departed, the former to take over Coalville Town and the latter to join Chesterfield.

Stevens predicts that the man who scored 33 goals for him last season and 28 the season before will endear himself to Spireites fans.

They got their first glimpse of him in Proact action on Wednesday night, when his energy and strength won a free-kick that began a spell of pressure from which Town scored.

“He’s a committed footballer, the fans will love him,” said Stevens.

“If he has a bad game it will still be 10 out of 10 for effort.

“He doesn’t have a bad game when it comes to effort, his workrate makes sure of that.

“He runs in behind, he’ll hunt down defenders and goalkeepers, he’s a little pest.

“Lee’s not the biggest but he doesn’t get knocked off the ball, he wins free-kicks.”

Stevens hopes the frontman goes from strength to strength at the Proact and has believed for a long time that a big move was on its way for Shaw.”

“As far as ability goes, I’ve been recommending him for ages.

“I’ve worked with him and improved him and he’s a winner, a good lad from a good family.

“I’m really keen for him to do well.

“I know he had a couple of weeks with Lincoln but I said to him whatever happens you’ve got a great chance of moving somewhere regardless.

“He deserves it.

“If I had been a Football League manager I would have taken him last season, that’s how highly I rate him.”

The former Grantham boss says that going full-time with Town can only benefit Shaw.

And Stevens is backing Martin Allen to develop the 24-year-old.

“With full-time training and working with better players, getting his recovery periods in, he’ll be even quicker and stronger.

“Martin Allen has dealt with good players at that level and I’m sure he will get the best out of him.”

Shaw signed a two-year deal at the Proact with an option for a third year.