Shrews keeper Brook grabbing chance with both hands

Will Brook has kept three clean sheets in his past five games for Shrewsbury Town

It was a call from his agent that changed it all for Will Brook.

Unlike for a lot of players, though, that call did not swap one lucrative contract for an even more lucrative one.

Brook swapped a building site for Croud Meadow and a chance at full-time football with Michael Appleton's Shrewsbury Town.

Released by Nottingham Forest last summer, Brook had earned himself a part-time contract with National League North side Leamington Spa at the start of this season.

But thoughts of full-time football were on the backburner - Brook had not long taken his health and safety assessment exam to become a labourer for his dad's building business.

Then the phone rang.

"I got a call from my agent saying 'Shrewsbury want you to go down' so I went, signed on a Friday and was on the bench Saturday - it was a quick as that," Brook told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"I actually had a CSCS [Construction Skills Certification Scheme] test and was going to work with my dad as a labourer. I was going to play semi-pro and do my best. The plan wasn't to get thrown into full-time football this quick.

"Whirlwind is an easy way to put it. I've experienced being let go before but how quickly everything's turned around - you've just got to keep yourself fit and stay on track and take any opportunity with both hands."

After a spot of hopping around hotels while adjusting to full-time football, Brook is now living in Manchester with his brother and commuting to Shrewsbury.

"It's been incredible just to be in and around the first team - the experience you get, the stories you hear, it's so good," Brook said.

Having made his Shrewsbury debut in the Vertu Trophy tie against Walsall in early September, Brook got his chance in the league against Barnet four days later.

With number one keeper Manchester United loanee Elyh Harrison away on England Under-20 duty, Brook started and helped secure Salop's first win of the campaign.

Harrison's return sent Brook back to the bench for defeats against Salford and Harrogate before he was recalled for the visit of MK Dons on 27 September.

'Getting throw in so early was the best thing to do'

Despite another loss, Brook kept his place and has done so ever since with Town currently on a five-match unbeaten run and the 21-year-old boasting three clean sheets.

"I was quite surprised to be thrown in so early but it was the best thing to do," Brook said. "Not having time to think about it too much and just go and do your thing."

Brook said there is "good competition" between him and Harrison, adding the two get on well.

"We've got a good relationship," he added. "We really push each other. It's up to the gaffer who starts and it's never guaranteed but I'm trying to work week in, week out to make sure he keeps his trust in me."