Relaxed chairman Lee Carter is happy for outsiders to dismiss AFC Telford United’s promotion prospects, insisting: “I love seeing us written off.”

The Bucks went into today’s Boxing Day bash with Stafford Rangers at the New Bucks Head sitting ninth in the Blue Square North, five points off the play-offs.

But Carter remains upbeat for their prospects and draws confidence from a year that has seen them reach one play-off final, win the Setanta Shield and have extended runs in the FA Cup and FA Trophy.

“I love the fact people are writing us off,” said Carter. “I’m actually more relaxed than I’ve been at any time since I became chairman.

“People are writing us off as a football force, but they can do that all they like – we’re still very focused and we’ve had heart-to-hearts to discuss any problems.

“The year from January to December has been a fantastic football year. We’ve had a lot of success and maybe some of that has been forgotten about.

“We’ve had some of the best highs we’ve ever enjoyed as a club, not just in the last six years (since AFC Telford was formed) but in the last 10 years.”

Carter also sees cause for optimism when he looks at developments off the field at the New Bucks Head.

He revealed that the next few months would see a number of exciting announcements being made.

“2010 is going to be a big, big year for this football club off the field,” said Carter.

Meanwhile, assistant manager Larry Chambers has braced the Bucks for a tough encounter at play-off chasing Hinckley on Monday.

The Leicestershire side had lost just three of their first 19 games before today when they were due to travel to Solihull Moors.

“They don’t score many and don’t concede many but it’s important we get a result there,” said Chambers.