Chairman Lee Carter hailed a “wonderful season of achievement” – after seeing four of AFC Telford United’s promotion-winning squad named in the Conference North team of the year.

Goalkeeper Ryan Young, skipper Shane Killock, left-back Sean Newton and winger Greg Mills were all honoured in the representative line-up unveiled at the Conference AGM at Celtic Manor over the weekend.

The Telford programme was also named the best in the division at an eventful meeting that saw Rushden & Diamonds booted out of the league for falling foul of financial regulations.

But Carter preferred to focus on his club’s achievements, declaring: “It topped off what was a wonderful season of achievement and we want to go on and make sure we get players in the team of the year next year as well.

“To win programme of the year was fantastic as well and it was a wonderful achievement for the people who put it together – particularly James Baylis (the editor).

“It’s all a magnificent turnaround from 12 months ago, when I don’t think we could have won a game of 10p turnover.

“We’ve turned it around and we’ve got forward momentum.”

Carter was sad to see another club in financial trouble, Rushden’s expulsion seeing Southport given a reprieve from relegation and – controversially – leading to Hertfordshire side Bishop’s Stortford being switched to the Conference North.

But he backed the league’s hard line on monetary issues, saying: “I think it’s fair to say the Football Conference are pioneers of financial fair play regulations.”