The 'million pound challenge' for AFC Telford
AFC Telford United are embarking on their "million pound challenge" after formally announcing a good year for turnover and profit.
Around 40 shareholders and members gathered in the Learning Centre at the New Bucks Head last night for the supporters trust's annual general meeting.
Turnover had risen to £838,000 at the end of last season, known as 'football's financial year,' while the club were again 'back in the black,' making a small profit of £13,238.
It came at a price on the field – relegation from the Skrill Conference Premier – but it could be a case of one step back for two forward in the future.
The Bucks now want to increase revenue to the seven-figure mark as they look for promotion, perhaps full-time status and, ultimately, promotion into the Football League for the first time.
Managing director Lee Carter said: "You have got to have something to dream about and aspire to, that's what gets you out of bed in the morning. And I still think it's achievable.
"No one achieved it ever in this town and we are trying to do with less resources than most, so it's a huge task.
"I am still absolutely adamant that the full-time structure outside of the Football League is unsustainable, what you will see is more and more clubs become part-time.
"It's the million pound challenge for us. That's what we are trying to raise in turnover."
Next year will mark a decade of AFC Telford's fans-owned model, where the supporters trust owns the club but the board of directors run the show.
The two entities have worked side-by-side since the club was formed in 2004 and other clubs, like league rivals Worcester City, are now looking to Telford at how it should be done.
Carter said: "The power of this football club will always be based on the number of people that support it and the number of people who are active in it. It was a great turnout last night.
"You see Worcester City on Midlands Today talking about their future and they are using us as an example of how to run a club.
"It's always worked really well and I have always favoured it as a model. You get some supporters trusts who own and run a football club, here we have two separate boards of directors.
"Firstly, you have got the supporters holding the directors to account and, secondly, it's a safeguard. Ultimately, you need eight level headed people who aren't going to get too carried away.
"You don't want silly decisions if, say, we lose 5-0 on a Saturday afternoon or spending money that we haven't got.
"If you want to be successful at anything in life, you have got to build people's trust and confidence, we have spent 10 years doing that.
"They understand that we are fans making decisions on their behalf and, if we are stepping out of line, they can pull us aside."
