AFC Telford willing to take their time over new signings
AFC Telford United boss Rob Smith has held 'positive' talks with potential new recruits – but insists he will take his time to make sure his signings are right.
The Bucks chief is looking to rebuild his squad this summer, and individual meetings with the current squad – to let them know whether he wants them to stay or not – are due to take place tomorrow night.
Smith and assistant boss Larry Chambers are set to have discussions with more players they would like to bring in over the next week too.
Smith said: "We are going to be meeting, all in all, around 20 or 30 players.
"We have met a couple of players and talks have been positive but it's too early to know yet, really.
"We have got a whole list of people we want to speak to so we will probably see quite a few faces over pre-season.
"Until it's pen on paper, we won't be getting ahead of ourselves and announcing anything.
"Meetings with the current squad are tomorrow, I will be meeting with most of them tomorrow.
"We are certainly not going to rush things, we don't need to be rushing.
"We will be picking and choosing players, with the right character, rather than jumping into things. We will get it right."
Two players who could be on Smith's radar are left-back Luke Higham and forward John Marsden.
The duo, who both had spells on loan at Telford last season, have both been let go by Blackpool and Stockport County respectively.
Higham, aged 20, made 11 appearances while on loan from the Tangerines – where he spent 11 years before his release.
He fought with Frenchman Joel Dielna – who it would appear will not be around for next season – for the no.3 jersey, and put in some solid performances.
Former Shrewsbury Town man Marsden, 24, scored twice in a five-game loan spell from Edgeley Park.
Both of his goals came in vital wins for the Bucks, over Stalybridge Celtic and Worcester City, as they ended up staying in National League North.
When asked if either of those two could be in for a return to the New Bucks Head, Smith added: "Possibly, I am not ruling anything out or anything in at the moment.
"It's very early days in terms of bringing in people."
