Amateurs are climbing up

The Ams finished as runners-up to Hanwood in the County Premier, but the champions have elected to stay put - opening the door for the Telford side.

Their membership of the West Midlands League division two is subject to ratification at the league's AGM on Monday, but club secretary Dan Braddock is optimistic.

And he sees the example of the last side to make the move up from the County Premier - Ellesmere Rangers - as an inspiration to his club.

Rangers won back-to-back promotions, and finished in midtable in the premier division last season.

"Ellesmere have been a revelation in that league," said Braddock. "We don't want to run before we can walk, but they have proved it can be done in a short period of time.

"It's a difficult league with sides who have a greater pools of players, though we have some good players in Shropshire.

"It would have been nice to be going up as champions, but it wasn't meant to be."

Meanwhile, Ludlow Town Reserves are heading down two divisions. They have resigned from West Midlands division one and have been accepted into the County's premier.

Dawley Bank have been accepted into division one of the County League after winning the Telford Combination last season.