AFC Telford excited by Tom Edge and Ben Osei

Both right-back Edge, aged 17, and striker Osei, 18, have graduated from the club's youth set-up to progress to the first-team squad.

Edge was captain and Osei was top scorer as Telford's Under-18s finished in the top five of the Midland Floodlit Junior League.

He won the Shropshire County Youth Cup and reached the FA Youth Cup first round proper for the first time last season.

Codsall-based Edge has been with the Bucks' youth programme for several years, while Osei was released from Wolves' academy under-13s.

Manager Rob Smith has been impressed with both teenagers and says they will get game time in the friendlies, which start next Saturday away to Colwyn Bay.

Smith said: "They will get minutes in pre-season and then we'll see where we go with them.

"They're going to come with us for however long - it could be all season - but it will be a really good, massive experience for them.

"There are no guarantees they'll get into the team but if they're not getting games here, they can get matches elsewhere.

"We're having a look at them in pre-season and assessing them, working with them and we'll take it from there."

One of the key attributes that has drawn Smith to the youngsters is their hard-working attitude.

The Bucks boss said: "I think what's impressed me about Tom as well as the fact he's a decent player is his attitude really.

"They're probably at the age where they could probably make some money out of the game playing at a local club.

"Tom's attitude was 'I want to stay here and see if I can take my chance' and anyone like that is OK with me. That attitude is going to get him that opportunity.

"Even if he doesn't play much football - which he probably won't - the loan system will help him get games, and wherever he goes, he'll be pushing for matches with that attitude.

"Ben's definitely had offers to play men's football. But he has all the attributes to succeed here and he wants to take the opportunity with us and he definitely has a bright future."

Meanwhile, the club has appointed Tom Fream as their new sports therapist to replace Laura Dickin, who has moved on.

The 23-year-old joins the club having previously worked at fellow National League North club Tamworth and Aston Villa Ladies.

She graduated from the University of Birmingham with a degree in sports therapy.

Fream has spent the last 12 months working alongside his former school colleague Dan Preston in their time at Tamworth.