Promotion is 'minimum aim' for AFC Telford
AFC Telford United boss Steve Kittrick is happy to accept the "minimum aim" of a promotion challenge that's been laid down for next season.
Chairman Ian Dosser has outlined the objectives to the Bucks manager – who is hoping to complete a striker signing imminently – and also targeted a cup run.
Kittrick will operate on the same budget used by Liam Watson when Telford won the Conference North title two years ago.
Dosser said: "The minimum expectation is to be challenging at the top end of the table, to be playing attractive football and to target, at least one, cup run.
"We've planned to do this with young, hungry players and to increase the number of local players and ones with potential from lower divisions.
"Steve Kittrick shares these expectations and we'll more formally agree a target with him in respect of league position prior to the season.
"The playing budget given to Steve is exactly the same budget Liam was given for the start of our last season in the Conference North."
Kittrick said: "I think promotion is everyone's expectation here.
"It will be a tough league this year, but I'm happy to work with the budget that's been set and we're setting our stall out – we're not looking to finish in mid-table.
"It's a brand new team which has to gel and everything has to fall into place but there's a lot of hunger and desire to succeed. We want to make it entertaining and put more bums on seats."
Dosser, responding to fans' questions online, confirmed Telford's budget has been reduced after relegation.
Kittrick is looking for his imminent signing to replace the departed 19-goal striker Tony Gray and Godfrey Poku.
Dosser revealed: "I'd have loved to have kept Gray and Poku and we made offers to both. In both cases travelling distance-time to Telford was an issue, particularly in Godfrey's case."
Meanwhile, the club will continue to be owned by the fans' trust.
Dosser added: "Both the trust board and the club board unanimously agree the controlling share of ownership should remain within the Trust.
"Not all fans agree with this model and any further views from fans and trust members have been invited."
Interested parties looking to invest in the Bucks need to notify the club by June 30.
