Lee Carter: This is AFC Telford's finest hour
AFC Telford United managing director Lee Carter today hailed winning the Skrill Conference North title as the finest promotion the club has ever seen.
The Bucks were restored to the Conference Premier at the first attempt and ended a 62-year wait to be crowned champions in any guise on Saturday.
Carter rejoiced along with fans, players and fellow management after beating Gainsborough Trinity 3-0 at the New Bucks Head.
He's overseen a North promotion and two other step ups through the play-offs in AFC's 10-year history, but the 36-year-old admits this is the best yet.
He said: "Out of all the promotions we have had, this is the most satisfying, without a doubt. It's taken a lot of grit and determination to get us from where we were last year to where we are now.
"I am sure there are people who will point out that it's a lower league then where we were then, but we have won a title and answered our critics.
"There were old men here who I have known for years that were crying, because they have never seen us crowned champions before. It was a very special day."
"You can't underestimate how tough it has been, we have taken a lot of kicks. But we are a calmer and wiser football club now."
Liam Watson's arrival when he left Premier side Southport last summer was down in large part to Carter, who put the call in when they were looking for a new manager.
The two have been friends ever since Telford's last had the chance to be crowned champions on home turf in their final fixture, Watson's Burscough beating Rob Smith's Bucks 2-1 in 2007.
Carter joked: "I wanted to chuck him off the top of the Wrekin after we lost at home to Hednesford in the FA Cup! But I have been telling people since Christmas that we are going to win the league.
"Full credit to the manager, he has done exactly what he said on the tin. It was a chance phone call and resignation from Southport to get him here.
"We were in the interview process and were really in a cul-de-sac, we had one candidate and we didn't want that to be the final situation.
"It was me who actually phoned Liam, as we have had a good friendship for a number of years. I think our first contact was when Burscough beat us here.
"He always remembered me because I went across the pitch and wished him all of the best, after we had suffered that terrible defeat.
"We have always stayed in touch and had a few beers together since. He's a top man. I don't want to get too carried away, which I have about managers in the past.
"But, when we appointed him, I said he could manage at any level for us, and I am looking forward to us having the challenge of consolidating in the Conference Premier.
"He's calm, resilient and has a bit of steel about him. He's been a pleasure to work with. I am delighted for him, as much as anyone."
