Mike Grogan targets glory with AFC Telford

The 24-year-old is looking forward to a bright future at the New Bucks Head and wants to earn himself a permanent deal, after initially joining on non-contract terms.

The utility man signed from Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Division One North promotion contenders Cammell Laird before training with the players on Tuesday night.

The nearest Grogan has ever got a trophy is last season with Laird, when they were beaten on penalties by Trafford for a place in the league he will soon be a part of.

And he said: "I want to be involved in a promotion challenge, I haven't won anything in football yet but, hopefully, we can put something together later this season.

"I would love to get up with Telford and then sign to go again for another year, I will take everything as it comes but the focus here is geared towards that.

"In my situation, I can only take each game as it comes but Telford is such a step up and such a big club, that's what persuaded me to make the move here.

"I have played non-league football all of my career and I want to see how high I can go. This club has the chance to climb up a league and stay there.

"I have always seen myself doing it, it was just a matter of time before I got my chance."

Grogan admits it was a wrench to leave Laird and had turned down advances from Barrow, hoping promotion would be second time lucky.

His chance to become a permanent fixture with the Bucks starts when he replaces the suspended Russell Benjamin on Saturday.

He said: "I know, in myself, that I need to improve to meet the standards that are expected, it's a higher level but I think you need to be challenged in football.

"I was already in talks to sign before Russell got suspended, there were other teams that had asked me but none of the calibre of Telford.

"I didn't want to leave Cammell Laird but the manager there, Tony Sullivan, agreed he couldn't stand in my way as it's such a good opportunity.

"It was a no-brainer for me - I had to go and give it a go."