Chairman Lee Carter has admitted AFC Telford United are feeling the heat as they struggle to hit top gear.

The Bucks have made a stop-start opening to the campaign and were 10th in Blue Square North ahead of today’s visit of Southport.

And Carter admits this is the most difficult period of his time at the helm.

“It is very tough for the whole team of staff off the field at the moment and we are creaking under the pressure a little,” said Carter.

“When the club secretary receives a call on the morning after the Worcester victory (in the FA Cup on Monday) from someone shouting and screaming at her because certain players have left, you begin to wonder if it is all worth it.

“We get up every morning and come to work to try and inject some positivity into the place and so far it just isn’t happening.

“But we will still get up every morning trying to do it because this club is about working hard for the badge through good and bad.”

Carter has also hit back at claims of departed midfielder Jamie Vermiglio in a Shropshire Star interview that he left the club following “misunderstandings”.

“I was absolutely furious when I read that,” he added. “I can’t believe someone who has been so well looked after by the football club can throw a little hand grenade like that.

“We have gone above and beyond our duty of care towards the player and there were absolutely no misunderstandings as far as we were concerned.

“We did not force him to leave. In fact, we have shown a massive amount of loyalty and spent masses of time, effort and money on trying to make sure Jamie would be fit to play for AFC Telford again.

“I feel very sorry that he appears to have joined the ranks of people who just seem very content at setting fires around the club at this moment.”

Vermiglio, who suffered a serious career-threatening back injury last season, has joined the Bucks Blue Square North rivals Northwich Victoria.

By James Garrison