Bernard McNally: Big Decisions ahead for Shrewsbury Town and AFC Telford

AFC Telford will hope they have a future with potential investors while Shrewsbury Town must look to life after Micky Mellon and get a vital appointment spot-on.

Bucks supporters have every right to be worried after everything that has gone on over the last few days.

I can only imagine how the fans feel when reading the statement on the money that needs to be raised.

They're the die-hards, they want the best for Telford. They will be absolutely distraught at what's happening at the club.

This is a club that they put together in 2004. The fans have already saved the football club. And now, 12 years down the line, they're back in a similar situation.

We just have to hope something comes about to take them through this phase to the next step and, fingers crossed, let's hope they can.

It's going to need big, big support from the locality of Telford. Can the people get an extra few hundred or 1,000 fans through the gate? But it's easier said than done.

There's a lot of nostalgia with Telford, we know it's changed from the old Bucks Head, but that's their football club – it's Telford's football club.

Things didn't look good as players had to drive themselves to Bradford Park Avenue on Saturday and, after the emergence of this statement, it's clear that a lot of money needs to be raised.

Last year when I was at Hednesford Town for a short time, I was hearing rumours. Even as far back as 12 months ago, I was hearing that the Bucks were in a very bad financial state. It makes you wonder what is going on behind the scenes. It sounds as if they have been paying players too much for the budget that they've got.

I know fans set up and take hold of teams and that's absolutely fantastic, they've done brilliantly well.

But sometimes you need something more than that, and this is where you need somebody who loves his football that puts his hand in his pocket and says 'here you go, I'll put in this or that'. That makes a major difference because the game's changed.

Years ago, even in the Premier League or the old First Division, the crowd used to shout 'we pay your wages' as they criticised their players.

They don't any more, it's all Sky.

For me, the person that does that will want to have the full control. That's difficult, and for all of the best will in the world with fans – they will do their best but sometimes you just need somebody with the clout behind them – that's where the club's model will need changing.

It's a massive time for the club, because if somebody's going to come in and put in £500,000 or whatever over a year then they're going to want control, so it will all have to change, I can't see any other way out.

It's going to need a big manager to come in at Shrewsbury, get things together and put things right before Christmas.

For me, a big name like a Kenny Jackett or a Steve Cotterill – though I know he's distanced himself – would be a good appointment. They can then be looking at January to bring their tried and trusted players to the club.

Because, let's be honest, Salop need to get themselves out of this situation. If you get to Christmas and they're still where they are then it'll be an absolute mountain to climb.

They need somebody that can come in and really change things with their personality, charisma and knowledge of players.

It's a vitally important decision for Roland Wycherley and Brian Caldwell.

The way I see it, the first thing Jackett will want to know is whether or not he'll have funds to use in January.

That goes for all managers, but for those lower down the pecking order, they'll want the job just to move themselves up to a bigger club.

But for those candidates that have bigger names, they'll be wanting to know that they can add in the new year.

They've probably made their money at previous clubs. They'll be thinking that they're putting their head on the chopping block and they won't come unless there are guarantees that they can bring their own staff and sign players.

The stadium is tremendous, the club have their Sundorne Castle training ground on the way – everything is in place for a manager to come in.

Supporters shouldn't be underwhelmed by a more unknown appointment, however. There are a lot of quality coaches and managers around, looking for an opportunity.

Let's hope Town select the right name.