The Big Kick Off: Telford face tricky second season as big spenders arrive in step two

Everyone has heard of the dreaded ‘second-season syndrome,’ and AFC Telford United will be hoping they can escape the 2026/27 campaign unscathed.

The new season offers The Bucks a chance to build on the successes of last season. A top-half finish in their first season back in the National League North, runs to the first round of the FA Cup and fifth round of the FA Trophy, and a number of gems unearthed following a strong summer of recruitment.

However, the division they are preparing to compete in this term, on paper at least, looks considerably stronger.

Telford will be lining up against the likes of Morecambe and Brackley Town next term after their relegations from the National League, while three of the four promoted teams - Hednesford Town, Harborough Town and Spalding United - are significantly funded and well placed to launch assaults at the top end of the division.

Add in the likes of South Shields, Macclesfield and Chester, three sides who just missed out on promotion last term, and you already have seven sides whose budgets dwarf that on offer at The SEAH Stadium.

That has been evident this summer already, with a number of key players departing Telford in favour of clubs higher up the food chain.

Ammar Dyer and Khanya Leshabela, both stars from last season who joined the club 12 months ago, will be back next term. Dyer has made the switch to Macclesfield, while Leshabela agreed a deal with 2025/26 play-off final losers South Shields.

They are not the only major exits. Less than 24 hours after the final game of last season it was announced that Jordan Piggott would leave the club having agreed a deal with Welsh Cup holders Caernarfon Town, where he has since played in and been knocked out of the Europa Conference League.

Further up the pitch, forward Dylan Allen-Hadley also confirmed a move to pastures new. After enjoying a breakout season where he netted 11 goals in all competitions the 23-year-old joined AFC Fylde, who won the National League North and secured a return to step one.

Still, there is plenty to be positive about. Kevin Wilkin has used his extensive contacts to bolster the Telford squad, particularly in defensive areas, as well as retaining a number of key figures.

The likes of Oliver Cawthorne, Alex Fletcher and Remi Walker were all at the heart of a lot of what The Bucks did well last term, while Matty Stenson was already tied down after signing a two-year deal in 2025.

Cawthorne in particular feels like a real coup. His performances since arriving from South America in February 2025 had attracted plenty of interest from elsewhere, but Telford played the patience game and secured his services for the upcoming season.

He will be joined at the back by new signings Zak Lilly and Matt Curley, two well-known names in the non-league circuit who bring bags of quality and experience to the club.

Lilly especially is a familiar face for Telford supporters, having come through the club’s academy system in 2015. He has been plying his trade at Brackley for the past three seasons, but has made the move back to Shropshire where he will likely become a crucial cog in the machine.

Curley, 31, looks like the obvious replacement for Dyer at right back. He made 24 appearances for Tamworth last season having played a part in helping the club secure back-to-back promotions into the National League.

Still, there is a lot more to be done. Defensively Kevin Wilkin’s side looks relatively well set, but Stenson aside there are no obvious goal scorers in the side. The pressure is expected to be placed on Walker to back up his 20-goal season again from midfield, while youngsters Charlie Williams and Jamie Meddows have had a season to adjust to the division, and will now be tasked with upping their levels again.

The squad is full of potential, and confidence should not be a problem after last season’s impressive showing. That said, in a division that looks harder with every transfer made elsewhere, Telford may have to temper expectations of progress somewhat.

Survival is a must. Anything else? A bonus.