New AFC Telford boss Liam Watson is boosted by funds

The Bucks had one of the smaller budgets in the Blue Square Bet Premier last term.

But Watson has no doubts that the amount of money at his disposal for the forthcoming campaign will allow him to assemble a competitive squad – and possibly one capable of mounting a promotion charge – in the next tier down.

Watson, who was unveiled as the Bucks' new manager on Friday, has made no secret of his desire to push for a return to the non-league's top flight as soon as possible.

And the former Southport boss, who departed the Sandgrounders at the end of the season just gone, said that next year's budget would eclipse some of those he had worked with in the Premier Division.

He said: "The budget is great. I was certainly working on a budget which wasn't as good in the Premier Division. So if anyone asks questions about the budget, it is a great budget to be competitive."

Watson has a sizeable re-building job ahead as he looks to re-shape his squad for the forthcoming season.

Defender Dan Preston and goalkeeper Ryan Young are the only players from last season's team to have had their contracts extended so far while ex-Southport winger Sean Clancy has also been brought in.

Former Southport captain Simon Grand has also been linked with a move to the New Bucks Head.

Watson said: "We have already identified a number of players who we would like to bring to the club and one way or the other we will try our best to do that."