AFC Telford United launch their pre-season campaign away to Market Drayton Town tomorrow – with their county neighbours eagerly anticipating a bumper pay day.

Drayton chairman Alex Mutch is hoping for a crowd of up to 500 for the clash at Greenfields, as his side look to build on their 6-0 win at Ellesmere on Tuesday in their first friendly.

And he was quick to praise the Bucks for agreeing to come to north Shropshire, as well as waiving their right to a share of the gate receipts.

“It’s a massive game for us and we’re grateful to Lee Carter and his men that they have chosen to come down here for their first game,” he declared.

“It means a lot to us financially to get off the mark with them.

“When we were dumped out of the Shropshire Senior Cup, Lee rang me and told me not to worry about what the Shropshire FA were doing.

“He said they would still come and play us and we could keep all the purse, which we truly appreciate.”

Drayton are building up to their first season in the UniBond League division one north.

Their manager Simon Line’s squad tomorrow is likely to include former Telford defender David Andrewartha, who has linked up with the Greenfields men for pre-season.

The Bucks’ squad is likely to include their three summer signings – winger Steve Torpey, striker Matt Nolan and midfielder Tom Field.

Assistant manager Larry Chambers also revealed one or two trialists could play a part in the game.

“Simon Line has done a great job in the last couple of years on a limited budget and they always present a tough challenge,” he said.

“It’s only a couple of years ago that they beat us in the Senior Cup. They deserved to win on the night and it was embarrassing for us, but this is not about revenge.

“Everything is geared towards the first game of the season.”