Telford confident of promotion

AFC Telford United assistant manager Larry Chambers is confident his team can go all the way this season and achieve promotion to the Blue Square Premier.

After only one loss in 19 games Telford are flying and Manager Rob Smith claimed the November manager of the month award.

However, beating Southport last Saturday could be a key point in their season, according to Chambers.

He said: "It is still early on in the season and we appreciate nothing is won at this stage, but because they were top and we were fourth, psychologically it is a massive result for everybody and it is given the lads a great belief and confidence.

"It really has worked wonders for the lads' confidence."

He added: "We have been close before and to get promoted you need a lot of luck with injuries and things like that but what I would say is that if the lads keep playing the way they are then we are going to be very, very close.

"We said if we were in the top three or four at Christmas and were in good shape as a team then we would fancy our chances."

Some teams will expect Telford to falter at some point this season, especially as they are still in the FA Trophy and Setanta Shield.

Chambers, however, insists the cup competitions will not be a distraction from the league.

"So far the cup competitions have not been a distraction and I don't think they will be," he added.

"The trophy, for us, is the biggest competition in non league football so we pay huge importance to it.

"If you can get to the quarter finals then there is no reason why you can't go all the way.

"As for the Setanta Shield, all the games are played on a Tuesday night and if we get a home draw the lads would much rather play than train.

"Also with getting players back through injury and suspension it helps us give players games."

Chambers also backed the fans that helped achieve the Blue Square North's record attendance at the New Bucks Head last Saturday to be a key factor in the team's success.

He said: "We need to give our fans something to shout about, attack, have a few shots, and win a few corners, that sort of thing. When we do that our fans really get behind us. They will play a massive part from now onwards.

"We had a lot of school children at the game making a lot of noise. They got in for free with an adult and I know that they are keen to come to more games.

"Not many teams at this level can pull in the kind of crowds we get at Telford and even less teams can take 300 or 400 fans to away games like we do. They are a massive help and everyone at the club appreciates what they do for the club."

By Joe Davies