Football Season Guide

AFC Telford completed their great journey back to the top level of non-league football this year after a dramatic play-off win and will begin their first season in the Blue Square Premier since the club's inception in 2004. Muck like AFC Wimbledon, the fans-supported AFC Telford rose through the divisions but have been stuck in the Conference North for five years before finally making the big step in April. In their fourth play-off finals in five years, they managed to defeat Giuseley 3:2 in a memorable final in front of their fans and finally realised the dreams of the fans that started the club from the ashes after the demise of the original Telford United. The man who changed the course last season is former England international Andy Sinton who turn the side into a winning one and instilled the sort of character that carried them in the toughest moments like in the game against Giuseley. Then, Telford were twice losing and heading to another tragic defeat but a last-gasp winner by Phil Trainer made it a fairytale ending for the team from the Black Country. Now the aim is to consolidate in the top division and Sinton will feel that his squad is definitely good enough to finish safely in mid-table. The manager bought well, adding both depth and quality to the squad with players like Robbie Williams, Nathan Rooney and Craig King signing up. None of the key players from last season departed in the summer and overall all the ingredients are there for Telford to have a good solid season. The main worry is the lack of experience but Sinton will be determined to instill confidence in the players that they are not inferior than their opponents and are good enough to play at this level. They definitely are and a good season in mid-table without too many fireworks can be predicted for AFC Telford.