Bucks look to ex-Town ace

AFC Telford United are giving former Shrewsbury Town skipper Andrew Tretton the chance to revive his football career at the New Bucks Head.

The 30-year-old defender has not yet put pen to paper, but will spend pre-season with the Bucks and feature in several friendlies before a decision on his future is taken.

It is a massive turnaround in fortunes for the 6ft 1ins centre-back, who was forced to announce his retirement in April due to persistent knee problems.

Tretton is no longer able to play as a professional, having received an insurance payout after leaving his last club, Accrington Stanley.

But he would still be able to play in the non-League game and there are several precedents, most notably ex-West Ham midfielder Mike Marsh - who won the Conference with Kidderminster in 2000 and Boston in 2002 after officially retiring through injury.

"Andy's got himself a job, he's working and he's looking to play part-time," said Telford assistant manager Larry Chambers.

"He was with us last night and we've agreed that he will do pre-season. We'll get him involved in some of the friendlies.

"He told me that if he comes through pre-season and I want him, then he'd be happy to stay.

"I don't think he's actually played for six months but he looked in decent shape last night, I was quite surprised actually."

Tretton began his career as a trainee at Derby County before joining Shrewsbury in 1997, going on to make 121 appearances in a four-and-a-half year stay at Gay Meadow.

He went on to make 93 appearances for Hereford and seven for Accrington in an injury-plagued two years before hanging up his boots.

Meanwhile, the Telford squad are preparing for a gruelling week's training.

They will begin their hill-running at the Wrekin tomorrow and are then staging a session on the New Bucks Head pitch on Saturday as part of the club's open day before heading back to the Wrekin.

Tuesday will see them going for boxing-style training with former world super-middleweight champion Richie Woodall, and Thursday next week will see them return to the Wrekin for a third time as Chambers looks to get them to peak fitness.

By Chris Hudson