Bucks' best - 2000-2010

It was the decade that changed football in Telford forever.

Finishing sixth in the Conference in 2002, the future looked bright a year later as chairman Andy Shaw invested a fortune to chase the dream of the Football League.

Just months later they were in ruins as Shaw's business empire collapsed, only for AFC Telford United to rise like a phoenix from the flames.

This is CHRIS HUDSON's take on the best of the players to represent both clubs in the first 10 years of the 21st century. Let the debate begin . . .

GOALKEEPER

Chris MacKenzie

2003-2004 52 appearances

A great shot-stopper, MacKenzie was one of the rocks of Mick Jones' 2003/04 team that looked destined to go on to better things before the fickle hand of financial fate intervened. He went on to play in the Football League at Shrewsbury, and is still going strong at Hinckley.

RIGHT-BACK

Lee Vaughan

2005-present 173 appearances, 7 goals

I seriously considered selecting Andy Wilkinson in this position, but the impressive former Stoke loanee - who has since gone on to play in the Premier League - only played nine games for the club. Vaughan may not quite be in the same class, but he has been one of the key figures in AFC Telford's rise through the leagues.

CENTRE-BACK

Mark Albrighton

1999-2002 90 appearances, 8 goals

A rock at the heart of the defence for the Bucks at the start of the decade, having signed for £10,000 from Atherstone. He's gone on to enjoy a decent career at a higher level and is still, aged 33, plying his trade with current Blue Square Premier leaders Stevenage Borough.

CENTRE-BACK

Jim Bentley

1997-2002 181 appearances, 23 goals

Boasting a sensational strike rate for a defender, Bentley was the heart and soul of the Telford team for five successful years, living up to the memory of his father. Went on to help Morecambe reach the Football League and is still the Shrimpers' captain now, aged 33.

CENTRE-BACK

Neill Moore

2000-2002 103 appearances, 5 goals

Well travelled by the time he reached Telford at the start of the millennium, Moore finally found a home in Shropshire. He was a significant cog in boss Jake King's watertight defence, and his form earned him a return to the Football League with a move to Mansfield.

LEFT-BACK

Sam Ricketts

2003-2004 55 appearances, 6 goals

Arguably Jones' most astute signing in the summer of 2003, the former Oxford man was a revelation and won a place in Bucks fans' hearts for seeing out the season when the club hit financial trouble. Eventually went on to Swansea, where he earned Welsh international honours, and has since played in the Premier League for Hull and Bolton.

MIDFIELDER

Sean Parrish

2004-2007 86 appearances, 5 goals

The combative midfielder was a promising youngster with Telford in the early 1990s, but is selected here for what he did on his return as a senior pro at AFC Telford United. An inspiring club captain, he scored the winner in the 2005 play-off final with Kendal and worked tirelessly representing the club in the community.

MIDFIELDER

Steve Palmer

1997-2003 (Telford United) 217 appearances, 23 goals. 2006-2007 (AFC Telford) 50 appearances, 2 goals.

This fully-committed midfield general was a real fans' favourite during his first spell at the club and, on joining AFC Telford, was treated as a returning hero. His powers may have diminished a little second time around but his popularity had not.

MIDFIELDER

Craig Stanley

2004 15 appearances, 1 goal

Only had a short Telford career as the club's financial problems took their toll. Might have gone on to become a star in future years had things worked out differently. Gone on to establish himself at League level with Hereford and Morecambe, and is still a regular alongside Bentley for the Shrimpers.

STRIKER

Andy Brown

2008-present 73 appearances, 29 goals

Still only in his early 20s, Brown has been a revelation since signing from Nuneaton. He reached 20 goals last season and is well on the way to repeating the feat this time around. Time is on his side and it would be no surprise to see this teacher go on to play full-time at some point.

STRIKER

Lee Mills

2003-2004 36 appearances, 12 goals

The stellar signing in the summer of 2003, it was a deal that made people sit up and take notice. Mills commanded £1.85m in transfer fees during a career that took in the likes of Stoke, Portsmouth, Manchester City and Wolves. He looked a class act in Mick Jones' promising team.

MANAGER

Rob Smith (and Larry Chambers)

2006-present P 214 W 109 D 56 L 49

Jake King guided the Bucks to sixth in the Conference while Mick Jones was revered for his loyalty during the financial troubles and Bernard McNally went on to win promotion for the new club. But it is Smith and Chambers who have had the biggest impact of all - dragging a team on its knees to safety and then on to promotion. Throw in victory in the Setanta Shield and memorable runs in the FA Cup and FA Trophy, and there really cannot be any other selection.