Gavin Cowan: No panic over new recruits at AFC Telford

The Bucks have 11 players on board for next season, with returning goalkeeper Sheridan Martinez the latest to commit.

Cowan is delighted with how recruitment has gone so far, adding: “I feel like it is shaping up nicely, and we’re in conversations with various other players.

“’We’ve got the base and spine of the team now, and there’s no need to panic.

“We’re after a certain type of player. We’ve got a way we want to play and anyone coming in has to fit into that.

“There might be a few players itching to get things done at this time of year, but we don’t have to rush.

“There’s a lot of good players out there, but it’s about finding the ones who are right for you.

“Patience is the key, holding your nerve – we’ve got three or four weeks until pre-season and about eight until the start of the season. It would be foolish to panic or jump straight into things.”

“I’ve been this game long enough now – as a player, a coach and now a manager. I’ll take my time.”

Telford’s first game of pre-season is on Saturday, July 7 at Market Drayton Town (3pm). The National League North season is set to start on Saturday, August 4.

Meanwhile, Cowan took the time to praise shot-stopper Martinez, who has come back to the club despite not playing a single game while on the books for the first half of last season.

He spent the second half of last term at Solihull Moors, being guided by goalkeeping coach Darren Acton – also with the Bucks now.

“You won’t get a better human being than Sheridan,” said Cowan.

“For whatever reason, he didn’t get a chance to play games here last season but anyone who has seen him in training will tell you he’s a top goalkeeper.

“All he needs on his cv now is games. I can’t promise him that game time, you’ve got to work hard and earn it, but there is no reason why he can’t take that No.1 spot.”