Phil Trainer offered a new AFC Telford contract
AFC Telford United midfielder Phil Trainer has been offered a new deal to keep him at the New Bucks Head for the forthcoming season.
Manager Liam Watson confirmed that the popular midfielder – one of several players at the club who is out of contract this summer – has a deal on the table and the club was today waiting on an answer.
Trainer, who has played more than 200 competitive games for the Bucks, is understood to be only the fourth member of last season's squad so far to be offered a new deal for the next campaign.
Watson said today: "Lee Carter, managing director, has spoken with Phil and offered him another year.
"I think he is going to give us an answer today. That is where we are up to."
The news is likely to be well received by many Telford supporters. Trainer was one of few players that Bucks fans have expressed a significant interest in keeping.
It comes after the team's disastrous season, in which they were relegated from the Blue Square Bet Premier, finishing 19 points adrift of safety.
The club had previously handed new deals to goalkeeper Ryan Young as well as defenders Dan Preston and Will Salmon, albeit with the latter opting to seek a new club closer to his Basingstoke home.
Trainer indicated that he wanted to remain at the New Bucks Head towards the end of last season, although earlier this month he was linked with a possible switch to Blue Square Bet Premier outfit Alfreton.
Should a deal be agreed with Trainer, Watson said he plans to utilise the experienced former Oxford United man as a more attacking player next season.
Trainer made a name for himself in previous seasons in a more forward midfield role, grabbing a number of important and spectacular strikes.
It includes the dramatic late winner in the Bucks' 3-2 Blue Square Bet North play-off final win over Guiseley back in 2011.
But he was used more as a holding player in the last campaign and Watson would like to see him in his more accustomed position higher up the pitch.
He said: "If he is playing centre midfield, I would want him to be getting into the box. I think that is his strength and he's capable of getting more goals."
