AFC Telford aim to lift fans for the summer

This campaign has been difficult, to say the least, for the Bucks faithful, writes Joe Edwards.

It has been marred by financial uncertainty. The club revealed their lack of funds at the tail-end of last year and called for help, with supporters donating thousands of pounds and relinquishing ownership in order to make way for new investment.

Fresh investment did come – but much less than anticipated – with just 32 per cent of shares in the club being sold. The key factor in the lack of uptake was a 20 per cent cap on the amount of shares any business or individual could purchase.

And that was removed for the second share issue, which is ongoing.

Now fans are hoping the club they love, which has gone under before, will be given a much-needed boost to have the best chance of competing at the other end of the National League North table next season.

Performances on the pitch, more often than not, have not been up to scratch this term.

There have been good results – wins over Kidderminster, and points at the likes of Fylde and Stockport – but there has been some major losses as well.

A 6-0 loss – and utter capitulation – at home to Brackley Town is the main one, while a 3-1 home loss to Bradford Park Avenue and a 3-0 defeat at Boston United were also days to forget.

If you take a look at the squad based on the individuals available, Telford should not be where they are.

It has been said many times by the players and management that there is quality in the dressing room, but they have not been able to come up with the goods. And the main reason for that is off-the-pitch matters – the uncertainty transfers to the pitch.

Fans do not know what they are getting from one week to the next when their team takes to the pitch and until Telford's off-field future is clear, you would not expect on-field matters to take a drastic upturn.

Harrogate are an example of just how the landscape of the division is changing. They are going full-time over the summer and their aim will, undoubtedly, be to fight for a play-off place next season, at least.

And looking at the top five going into the final round of fixtures – champions Fylde, Kidderminster, Halifax, Darlington and Salford – those with a decent amount of backing are the ones faring well this time around.

Ultimately, Telford could very much do with someone stepping in to give the place a lift – and a bit of help to bring in players.

Boss Rob Smith and assistant boss Larry Chambers want players with a bit more nous, a bit more know-how – but they come at a price.

The damage has been done for this season. A result against Harrogate will not change how this campaign will be looked back upon, but it would at least send fans home with a smile on their face ahead of a crucial summer.