Skipper Stuart Whitehead has saluted the greatest season of his football career – and is urging AFC Telford United to cap it off with promotion.

Whitehead was due to return to the Telford ranks for this afternoon’s clash with Blue Square North champions Tamworth.

And he is almost certain to be leading his side out when they commence their play-off campaign on Wednesday evening.

“It’s the longest, hardest season I’ve ever had and, in terms of the ups we’ve enjoyed, there’s not been many like it,” he declared.

“We can just top it off by winning the play-offs now – it’s the most enjoyable season of my career and it’s been great to be playing week-in-week-out.

“I’m sure it’s been exactly the same for the supporters and it must have been one of the most exciting seasons they’ve ever had in terms of cup runs.

“We had good runs in the FA Cup and the FA Trophy and we’ve won the Setanta Shield. It’s been eight seasons rolled into one!

“Now we want to finish it by winning promotion.”

Whitehead admits there is some frustration that they did not manage to sustain a challenge for the league title.

Tamworth ended up winning that in midweek, while the Bucks confirmed their spot in the top five to extend their season.

“The first option was always to get promoted as champions and, if we couldn’t do that, we said we could do it through the play-offs,” the captain added.

“We’ve been on a rocky road in the last few months but we’ve come through. We’ll go into the play-offs full of confidence.”

By CHRIS HUDSON