Lee Carter says AFC Telford aiming for Football League
AFC Telford United chairman Lee Carter today cut through the gloom engulfing the UK economy to declare: "We've never been more positive about our future." AFC Telford United chairman Lee Carter today cut through the gloom engulfing the UK economy to declare: "We've never been more positive about our future." Carter believes the Bucks have already shown – both on and off the field – that they are equipped to compete at Blue Square Bet Premier level, having won promotion last season. And he insists that the desire to join Shrewsbury Town and become Shropshire's second Football League club is now a stated goal rather than a fantasy. [24link] Full report in today's Shropshire Star
"I can honestly say that the Board, trustees, officials and staff have never been so positive about our future," said Carter.
"The whole world is very nervous, cutting costs and retracting almost - but we are growing and feel very positive.
"Our vision was originally to get back in the Conference – but now it's been adjusted to get in the Football League. And that's not a wild fantasy now, it is very achievable.
"Shropshire is big enough to host two Football League clubs and we have to really believe we can do it."
Meanwhile, Carter has also insisted that he is not overly concerned by this week's European Court of Justice ruling, which backed the right of UK pubs to use foreign service providers in order to show top flight British matches.
With an increased likelihood of pubs screening Saturday 3pm kick-offs live as a result, there have been understandable fears for the impact on smaller clubs.
But Carter said: "In terms of competition, it puts the onus on us to market our product. It's local football, it's real football and it's affordable football.
"They have done some wacky things with television over the years but no-one has yet invented a TV where you can touch and feel your football club and speak to the captain in the bar after the game."
By CHRIS HUDSON
