AFC Telford United have been installed as the bookies favourites to win the Blue Square North title - but boss Rob Smith has singled out Southport as the team to beat.The Bucks are 7-1 with the league sponsors to win the crown and seal promotion to the top flight of non-League football in the coming season.
Smith is optimistic his side - which has been strengthened with four new signings and the promise of another to come over the weekend - can make a stern challenge.
But it is the Sandgrounders, managed by his close friend Liam Watson, who he believes will be the biggest threat.
“Southport have got to be the clear favourites for me,” said Smith. “Anyone who finishes above them will probably win it.
“After them I think you have to look at Stalybridge - and Farsley Celtic will be strong too.
“There will probably be a surprise team, and that could be any one from Alfreton, Fleetwood and Kings Lynn because they’ve all had some cash to spend.
“I hope we can be in the mix as well, with the signings we’ve made.”
Smith’s dark horses have certainly made some stand-out signings - Alfreton capturing experienced former Shrewsbury striker Leo Fortune-West while Kings Lynn have signed former Premiership ace Julian Joachim.
But the Bucks have recruited well, leading Smith to declare: “We’ll be starting out to try and win the league. That’s our aim, and if we fall short and get in the play-offs then so be it.”
The Telford chief took his squad to The Wrekin last night for a gruelling training session.
But he was delighted by what he saw, adding: “It was the best group I’ve ever head for going up the hills. We were only up there for an hour because they did it so quickly. There was not one bad player, and the application was superb.”
Blue Square odds: 7 Telford, 15-2 Southport, 8 Stafford, Harrogate, 9 Stalybridge, 10 Farsley, Fleetwood, 11 Droylsden.
By Chris Hudson
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