Bookies give Bucks the cold shoulder

Tuesday 29th April 2008, 10:40AM BST.

If AFC Telford United are to win promotion to the Blue Square Premier then they will have to do it as the outsiders with the league’s sponsors, writes Chris Hudson.

Semi-final opponents Barrow are the 9-4 favourites to be celebrating promotion on the night of the final on May 9.

Stalybridge are 5-2, while Southport and Telford are both priced at 11-4 by online bookmaker Blue Square.

“It’s mainly because of their form going into the play-offs in comparison with the other contenders,” said Alan Alger, Blue Square’s PR Manager.

“We feel Stalybridge and Barrow particularly are the teams we would want to be with going into the play-offs.

“Since March 1, Telford would would have been eighth, while Barrow and Stalybridge would have been first and third and even Southport would have been sixth.”

But Alger offers some hope to Telford fans.

“Their crowds will help,” he said. “Telford will probably have the best crowd over the two legs of the semi-final. And, if they get to Burton, they would take quite a few.”