AFC Telford to stay part-time says chairman

AFC Telford United will remain a part-time outfit for their first season in the ultra-competitive Blue Square Bet Premier.

The Bucks' promotion has set up future clashes with the likes of Wrexham, Lincoln City, Stockport County, Darlington and Grimsby.

In total, around 16 of the 24 sides in the top division of non-League football will be fully professional next season — but Telford chairman Lee Carter insists they will not risk their financial stability by over-stretching.

"There may be some tinkering and a couple of extra nights of training thrown in here and there but we will definitely remain a part-time outfit," said Carter.

"It will be hard financially but by staying part-time we can attract some of the best part-time players to our club. There are only a few clubs in that league that can really afford to go full-time and I don't understand how some of them can do it.

"I look at Bath City, who retained their core players when they went up last season and added quality and experience," he added.

"They have done reasonably well (finishing 10th) without going full-time and that is the model I would like to follow. We will aim to be the best part-time club in the country."

Meanwhile, Carter has also pledged to do all he can to keep admission price rises to a minimum — and has vowed to fight to retain the kids for a quid scheme that has proved so successful.

"One of our strong points to-date has been affordability and I wouldn't like to change that," he said.

"The kids of a quid initiative is a key part of our ethos so I would hope the league allow us to keep that."

l Telford have already confirmed a trio of pre-season friendlies.

League Two duo Cheltenham and Burton will visit on July 16 and 30 respectively, with a trip to Aberystwyth in between on July 23.