Rob Smith fully committed to AFC Telford despite budget fears

The Bucks, despite losing 1-0 at Darlington on Saturday, have secured National League North safety ahead of the final game of the season, against Harrogate Town at home on Saturday.

This is the second successive campaign that Telford – who have 68 per cent of shares in the club currently up for sale –have been fighting for eventual survival.

Smith is determined to be competing at the other end next term, but knows a decent amount of money is needed to do so and said: "It has been awful. It has been an awful season for me personally.

"It just seems like it is never-ending problems. It's just been a really tough season in every way.

"It doesn't fit with me at all that we went out, with two games to go – like we did last season – looking to stay up.

"That's not what I'm about. To get the personnel you want in this league is difficult, and we need the financial backing to do it.

"Until we do so, we are not going to compete. And I want to compete."

Telford are hoping there will be a significant uptake in the current share issue in order to boost their long-term prospects.

When asked if he could fulfil his goal of battling for promotion with the same budget, or lower, next campaign, Smith said: "No, not in this league. It's such a tough league, financially. There's not many players around at this level for cheap.

"Obviously we need to try to strengthen. What frustrates me is that I love the club so much and you feel as though if you get on a run of games then the crowds will come back.

"Maybe we are deluded but me and (assistant boss) Larry (Chambers) have this belief that we can do well.

"I love the club. I want to stay and try to make it better, I don't want to quit on them. I think they need us as much as we need them."

He added: "I can't influence anything that happens off the pitch. I wish I could, but I can't.

"If I had some money I would throw it at it, I really would.

"Hopefully we can find a way forward and see what happens, I'll be giving it a thousand per cent no matter what. I'll give it everything I have got."