Shropshire Star

Liam Watson wants to keep AFC Telford duo

AFC Telford United manager Liam Watson will enter contract talks with Adam Farrell and Mike Grogan – but Matthew McGinn is set to leave the club.

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Top scorer Farrell joined from AFC Flyde last summer on a one-year deal with an option for a second in the club's favour, which the Bucks will take up.

Defensive midfielder Grogan netted 15 times after joining on non-contract forms from Cammell Laird in September and will now be offered permanent terms.

But McGinn's work commitments as an electrician are likely to put paid to his chances of staying in Shropshire, the same circumstances that saw him leave Chester.

The 31-year-old left-back could drop down as far as the Evo-Stik Northern League Division North with Warrington Town, which is a short journey from his home.

Watson said: "I need to speak with all of the out-of-contract players individually, which has started and will continue for a couple of weeks. Mike is one of them.

"We have an option of another year with Adam, but I want to sit down and talk to him about a new contract, on longer terms. He's done really well this season.

"Matty won't be able to stay with his work commitments, which is something I was aware might happen if we got promoted to the Conference Premier.

"He's had a fabulous career, with three Conference North titles, so he's got nothing to prove to anyone. He's been great for me."

Chris Lever, Wes Baynes, Neill Byrne, Russell Benjamin, Sean Clancy and Tony Gray will all be staying at the New Bucks Head, as they have a year left on their deals.

Sean Cooke also has terms for another season but is likely to be moved on, finishing the season out on loan at his former club Fylde after a fall-out with Watson.

Captain Simon Grand, Ryan Young, Alan Moogan, Mike Phenix, Dan Preston, Charlie Barnett, Andy Owens, Robbie Booth and Martyn Jackson are all out-of-contract.

Loan star Shaun Whalley will return to Luton Town, where he has a year left with the Hatters, but Telford may ask for first refusal if the winger is made available again.