Ash Rawlins fulfilling childhood dream at AFC Telford

The 21-year-old from Arleston joined from Market Drayton Town last week and played this past weekend as the Bucks lost 1-0 at Darlington.

Following on from a promising debut, Rawlins – who first started watching Telford aged five, and is a student at Telford College of Arts and Technology – cannot wait to be between the sticks against Harrogate Town as Rob Smith's side close out the National League North campaign at home.

"I live a stone's throw away – or a goal-kick away. I'm really looking forward it," he said.

"It's what you wish for as a kid, especially growing up here.

"At five or six years old, I was going to the Telford matches seeing the likes of Sam Ricketts – and people like that.

"I am still at Telford College. I am doing a uni course there so I pass the New Bucks Head every day. It's a great experience for me."

Rawlins was signed with special permission from league officials – after the registration deadline – following shot-stopper Callum Burton being recalled early from his loan spell early by Shrewsbury Town.

Having not had any experience at step two of non-league before, jumping up two divisions from Market Drayton to play in Telford's last two games, he recognises he finds himself in an unusual situation.

Rawlins thanked his team-mates for helping him to adjust so quickly though and said: "I couldn't have asked for anything more to be honest. They are really good lads.

"They welcomed me straight into the club and gave me so much confidence on the pitch as well, that helped a lot."

On having experienced defenders such as skipper Luca Havern and Ben Bailey in front of him, he added: "They were giving me some positive remarks throughout the game so I felt very confident. It was nice of them to welcome me so well.

"It's a big step up but I felt I held my own. The crowd is a lot different to that at Market Drayton, but I felt good going into it.

"I went from being in front of 100 to 1,800 so that's good for me."