Fan backing for new AFC Telford duo
AFC Telford United's new managerial duo have received an overwhelming show of support from fans.
In the Shropshire Star’s end-of-season survey, 70 per cent believe appointing former player Gavin Cowan as boss after Rob Edwards’ departure was the right call.
The Bucks faithful are also massively behind Phil Trainer – who was a team-mate of Cowan’s – coming back to the club as assistant chief too, with 90 per cent happy to see him return.
More than 200 people took part in the annual survey and 75 per cent of them feel Telford will not miss having Edwards at the helm. In fact, the majority (37 per cent) put the Bucks’ struggles in National League North last season down to bad management.
After a 14th-placed finish, which 61 per cent were not satisfied by, the New Bucks Head side are expected to improve under Cowan and Trainer.
A top-half finish is what 60 per cent desire, while 81 per cent of supporters are desperate for a lengthy cup run.
Telford reached the first round of the FA Cup last campaign, where they lost 1-0 to Hereford.
The club’s good relationship with Wolves saw five youngsters join the Bucks on loan from the Molineux outfit.
And they saved the best until last as Ryan Giles, who played nine games towards the end of the season, was deemed the most impressive of all the club’s loan players, with 55 per cent of the vote.
Marcus Dinanga, who spent the season from Burton Albion, was second, but managed to beat Giles to the player of the season prize – 43 per cent of those polled backing the striker after his 24-goal haul.
Elsewhere, 69 per cent think Telford need to get at least seven new players in this summer.
There has already been four new arrivals – Darryl Knights, Theo Streete, Steph Morley and Daniel Udoh.
In terms of off-field matters, only 36 per cent believe the club’s hierarchy are effectively communicating with supporters.
Two-thirds have not bought, or do not intend to buy, a season ticket but 61 per cent are happy with matchday ticket prices.
The Bucks are readying for their fourth straight season in National North – the last three mainly spent battling against the drop – and 51 per cent believe they will get it right in the next five years, to return to the National League.
