Shropshire Star

AFC Telford receive investment interest

AFC Telford are in talks with one individual about investing in the club - as two new directors and a new commercial manager were appointed.

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Chairman Ian Dosser claimed he has received interest from five people interested in putting money into the club.

He said one person is still interested but that two parties were very quickly ruled out.

"The club is still talking to number of people, but we will not give the club away to someone not suitable," said Dosser.

Telford have been appealing for fresh investment ever since a fans' forum last October when outgoing managing director Lee Carter claimed the club could go under in 12 months if the current financial situation continued.

The news comes as the Bucks unveiled two new directors to the club board, Andy Pryce and Luke Fearnall.

Fearnall will become fan liaison director, following the recent resignation of Mark Berry.

Pryce, who runs a successful local building company and is also the Bucks goalkeeping coach, brings a wealth of business and football experience, having been Market Drayton's goalkeeper for many years.

Among other responsibilities, he will assist in project managing any major redevelopments in the future.

He was also integral in arranging the Sondico kit deal and ensured the first team, youth team and replica kits arrived in time.

An appointments committee made up of club and trust board members interviewed the pair on Saturday after the friendly against Aston Villa.

Pryce said: "As a local lad, I want to see this club prosper and feel I can offer the combination of football and business skills to the board."

A trustee for five years and committed Telford fan, Fearnall has been trust chairman since November 2014 and has forged a close relationship between the trust board and club board.

Dosser said: "Andy already does a great deal and this includes the recent very efficient management and delivery of the new deal with Sondico.

"He'll bring the business knowhow, strong project management and football mix to the table."

"Luke will be a key addition and will have the fans' opinions at the forefront of any decision which the club makes."

Steve Bowyer, who was vice chair, has taken Fearnall's role as trust chairman.

Lee Griffiths will start as commercial manager on Monday, replacing Mark Gallagher.

Based in Shropshire, has extensive experience in hotel sales and marketing and until 2014 was commercial and events sales manager at Northamptonshire County Cricket Club.

Two external additions are likely to be appointed to the club board in the coming months.

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