Kevin Wilkin backed in AFC Telford United fan survey

Seventy-eight per cent of Bucks fans think the former Brackley Town boss is the best manager they could have appointed last year, with 63 per cent believing he made a difference to the side after replacing Paul Carden.

Carden was sacked by Telford after they won one of their opening 12 National League North matches – a decision 82 per cent of fans agreed with.

The Bucks did not live up to the expectations of their supporters last season. Just under half of them (46 per cent) thought they would finish in the top half, and a further 20 per cent expected them to get into the play-offs.

A quarter of the fans who voted thought they would finish in the bottom half and only five per cent expected them to be relegated.

Just over half of the fans believe the board at the New Bucks Head have made the club more stable (59 per cent) – but Telford supporters are less than convinced they have what it takes to deliver success back to the football club as 69 per cent said they have no confidence in them.

Montel Gibson enjoyed a successful period in Shropshire last season across two loan spells at the club and the Telford United forward – who has signed fresh terms for another year with Bucks – received 35 per cent of the vote for player of the season. Just behind him was Harry Flowers (24 per cent) – he was the only player Telford had under contract for this season, but he has now moved on to Southport for the new campaign.

Despite the fans voting for Gibson as player of the season they feel forward areas (58 per cent) is the place the team need reinforcements the most. And it is clear the Bucks supporters think their squad is still in need of new recruits – 89 per cent of fans said they need five or more players before they are ready to compete.

But they have faith they will be challenging for promotion this season, 40 per cent expect them to get promoted and 28 per cent think they will make it to the play-offs.