Andy Owens knows AFC Telford's new-boys
AFC Telford United striker Andy Owens today gave the thumbs up to the club's summer recruitment drive with pre-season looming on the horizon.
Owens played alongside goalkeeper Jonathan Hedge and defender Steve Akrigg at Southport and knows defender Rod McDonald from Stoke City.
Winger Josh Hancock will be the other new face when Liam Watson's side start pre-season on Saturday, for the Skrill Conference Premier campaign.
Owens said: "I have seen 'Akers' and he's filled out after his shoulder operation, he's put on upper body muscle so I am guessing he will be more physical.
"Rod was in the year below me at Stoke and I remember being impressed with him at Hereford, when we played them when I was still at Southport.
"I shared a room with 'Hedgey' when we played for England C, too, then he came on loan to Southport. He contributed to keep us up that season.
"I don't know much about Josh but the gaffer has a good record with players from the lower leagues, so I imagine he will be a Liam type of player."
Owens is one of 10 players who started pre-season at Telford last year and has experience of preparing for a Premier campaign under Watson at Southport.
He said: "It's hard work but it's rewarding, a few of the lads were here last year and at Southport under Liam before that, so we know what to expect.
"We didn't have it easy when we came here, either, we set up as a team that were going for the title and worked hard in pre-season to make that happen.
"You have to be of Conference Premier standard to win the Conference North, so we had to prepare as a team that could compete at the level we are at now."
The 24-year-old reckons the Bucks' quality will shine through when they make the step up, with the stifling tactics of the Conference North not so commonplace.
He said: "You look at the league above and there are teams that have survived playing the way we did last season, Braintree come to mind as an example.
"Alfreton have a big and strong side, too, so it's possible. You get more time on the ball, so it's more about decision making than who wants it more.
"Everyone know Liam plays direct, but I think you will see more quality when we go forward at the higher level, when we play against the better teams."
