New AFC Telford United bosses Gavin Cowan and Phil Trainer want to ‘bring back the good times’

The former Bucks players have already begun preparing for the next campaign, and are set to announce their first signing today.

Former defender Cowan, aged 36, who was born in Hanover, Germany, said: “I am absolutely ecstatic to have been appointed manager at Telford, I am really relishing the role.

“I can’t wait to get started which actually has already happened. I have been very busy already as you can imagine.

“I am just looking forward to bringing back some success to Telford football club. I was very proud to be captain here over a very successful period. And I want to bring those good times back.”

Cowan also used to play for Shrewsbury Town. He was a coach at Telford in the past couple of seasons serving both Rob Smith and Rob Edwards, who left earlier this month.

Cowan beat off competition from around 15 other candidates, it is believed.

The Bucks hierarchy underwent a thorough process last week to decide on their new manager.

Trainer, also 36 and from Wolverhampton, used to play in midfield.

He is relishing the chance to work alongside Cowan and kick on for next season in the National North.

Trainer said: “I am over the moon to be honest. Me and Gavin have both played for this club. We know what this club means to us, and the fans here, and it is a big club so hopefully we can get this place rocking again. I am here as a coach to assist with Gavin and help the team as well.”

The Bucks were able to pull themselves away from relegation at the tail end of last season, despite languishing close to the drop.

Cowan hopes to build on that late success and take it into next season.

He said: “Well we had a real strong finish to the season. I think that was something that was always on the horizon. There was a team there that unfortunately just didn’t know how to close out results but seemed to do so towards the end of the season. So what we want to do is, again, we want to try and keep that continuity and take that into next season. I am a big believer in that so the hard work starts now.”