From the ruins of the original Telford United FC, Blue Square Conference North side AFC Telford United are a club on the rise. After several near misses they are on the brink of earning promotion to the Blue Square Premier Division, otherwise known as the Conference, and one level below England’s Football League.
It has been a long, and at times, frustrating journey for the Shropshire outfit. In May 2004, Telford United folded after the club fell into financial difficulties. A supporters’ trust was formed, but the battle to keep the club afloat proved fruitless. However, from the flames, a phoenix was immediately born in the shape of AFC Telford United and the side were placed in the Northern Premier Division 1 by the Football Association. Since then they have progressed through the divisions with regularity.
Historically, the football supporting population in and around Telford have followed now-Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers, who are located approximately 15 miles away. But AFC Telford United’s involvement with the local community has helped in the development of a passionate, local fan base. Attendances over 2,000 aren’t uncommon at the New Bucks Head. Local media coverage for the Bucks is also plentiful, with Shrewsbury Town the only other notable team in the area, AFC Telford United receive their fair share of coverage in local written press and on local radio.
The club is a focal point within the local community; a role they take very seriously in partnership with the local council. One initiative the club is involved with is the Telford Football Excellence Centre. The centre is funded by local businesses with the aim of developing local footballing talent from the ages of eight and sixteen.
Telford’s stadium, New Bucks Head, which has a capacity of 6,300, would be the envy of many clubs in England’s League Two. Amongst the pristine facilities is a learning centre overlooking the pitch which offers meeting rooms and conferencing facilities. There is also a hotel next to the stadium which fits in perfectly with the club’s hospitality offering.
Telford recently turned out in an FA Trophy match against fellow Blue Square Conference North outfit Eastwood Town. In blustery conditions the Bucks came away with a hard fought 1-0 victory, with the most impressive aspect being Telford’s ability to adapt to the opposition and conditions. Both the wind and Eastwood’s physical play made it difficult for Telford to utilise their passing game, but they went toe-to-toe with the visitors and emerged with the all-important victory.
Adam Proudlock and Stuart Whitehead bring league experience to the Bucks unit. Proudlock, a typical number 9, is the focal point of the side and the man tasked with scoring goals. The striker is adept at playing with his back to goal, bringing team-mates into play. He almost made the grade in what was then Division One of the Football League with Wolves and Sheffield Wednesday, but it never quite materialised for the 29-year-old.
Versatile Whitehead was on Bolton Wanderers’ books in the mid-1990s, during which time they were, as now, in the Premier League, however failed to make an impact at the Trotters. Whitehead did have more success at Carlisle United, Darlington and Shrewsbury Town before his stint at News Bucks Head.
Other influential players include club captain Shane Killock, an assured centre back who leads by example, Phil Trainer, a box-to-box central midfielder who has a ‘Tim Cahill-esque’ ability to arrive in the box at the right time and Jon Adams, a creative midfielder who roams the pitch looking to get on the ball.
Since last summer, former England international and Tottenham Hotspur winger Andy Sinton has been in charge of the Shropshire club; he had previously been manager of Hampshire outfit Fleet Town. Despite the Bucks possessing an unrivalled defensive record in their division, Sinton is an advocate of attacking, passing football.
Sinton is a man thinking long-term in his desire to lead Telford further up the football pyramid. And a five-year plan is very much on the agenda for the 44-year-old although he is guarded when questioned on the subject. "Yes", said Sinton to the five-year plan enquiry, "but I’m not telling anybody what the plan is."
The ex-Spurs man was quick to point out the most difficult aspect of his job. "The hardest thing is working with the players twice a week. I want to work full time and I want to develop the players, not just as footballers, but as people", said Sinton, "it’s difficult to do that when you only see them a couple of times a week."
And Telford have bagged a manager with ambitions, who would not be displeased to see his career follow the same path as Nigel Clough – the son of the legendary Brian Clough managed Burton Albion for over a decade, setting up the side for league football before joining second tier Derby County.
"I am ambitious", revealed Sinton, "and I want to manage at a higher level and yes, I do see what I’m trying to do here as similar to what Nigel Clough did at Burton Albion. Having said that I am very happy here and I’m eager to bring success to AFC Telford United."
Sinton’s next objective is to earn the club promotion to the Conference and then after that promotion to the Football League. With the facilities surrounding him, this hungry young manager won’t feel his job is complete until he has secured Football League status for the Bucks.
In a sport dominated by vast sums of money, AFC Telford United’s story has the potential to put a sliver of romance back into the game. The club’s ethos, built around their responsibility to the local community will stand them in good stead as they continue to grow and evolve.
With the Bucks sitting in third place in the Blue Square Conference North at the time of writing, but with a substantial four games in hand of league leaders Nuneaton, promotion to the Conference for next season appears to be on the cards. When that does eventually happen, the story of AFC Telford United will begin an exciting, new chapter.
