Rob Smith using Chorley as AFC Telford inspiration
AFC Telford boss Rob Smith believes Chorley’s play-off achievement offers hope to clubs unable to compete with the financial big-hitters of the National League North.
Lancashire outfit Chorley, who took four points from the Bucks last season with a 0-0 stalemate and 2-1 Victory Park win, upset the odds on Sunday with a 2-0 win at former Conference outfit Kidderminster Harriers to reverse a first-leg play-off semi-final defeat.
They will go on to tackle another of the division’s big names, FC Halifax, in Saturday’s final.
And Smith was full of admiration for Matt Jansen’s side who punched well above their financial restraints to reach the final, adding that it is something Bucks can take encouragement from.
Smith, meanwhile, is meeting with last season’s squad tonight for discussions in regards to their future and some sort of announcement is expected tomorrow.
The Telford boss said: “Chorley proved over the weekend that team spirit is important.
“They certainly don’t pay as much as the other three teams that finished in the play-offs and I think they’ve been a credit.
“We’ve got to look at them and the likes of Gloucester – we need that kind of team spirit.
“They’ve shown that it is possible. Though I don’t know if it’s possible to compete year after year just using spirit.”
Ten years ago the Magpies were two tiers below their current status, but they achieved promotion to step two three years ago and have since secured finishes of fourth, eighth and sixth.
Smith added that attracting the right characters is centrepiece to building a successful team spirit within a group.
The boss conceded that, after battling relegation for consecutive seasons, the Bucks will find themselves at the foot of the pecking order when talented players search for a new club.
Smith and No.2 Larry Chambers are working around the clock and have already carried out talks with a shortlist of players, conversations that the boss described as ‘positive’.
“The league’s becoming increasingly difficult, you need to get the best 16,17 or 18 players you can,” Smith added.
“We need to create spirit, have a good pre-season and get off to a positive start.
“But everyone’s after the right characters and we’re probably at the bottom of the pecking order.
“We’ve held positive talks with targets so far though.”
