AFC Telford aim for perfect pitch

Chairman Lee Carter expects AFC Telford United to have one of the best pitches in the Conference Premier next season – after a summer of investment.

The Bucks have paid out to improve the surface with 100 tons of top dressing and carried out further works in what Carter labelled "a significant increase on what we spent last year".

And the Telford supremo expects the ground to be in top notch condition in time for the first home friendly with West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday, July 13.

"We've given it a good rest and by the time we kick off against West Brom, it will not have been played on for seven weeks," said Carter.

"The groundsmen have worked very hard on it and we're confident it will be a top playing surface.

"It looked very bare by the end of last season but it was still voted in the top three playing surfaces outside of the Football League.

"We are now going into a league where most of the grounds we play on will be of an excellent standard and we won't fall below that standard."

Carter also revealed that club officials would be taking a tougher line on use of the New Bucks Head next season – cutting down on its use.

"Last year it took a hell of a battering and we'll be reducing the number of games we play on it significantly," he said.

"Our priorities now have to be the first team and Wolves reserves if they continue to use it, as well as the youth team and any local junior fixtures."