Comment: AFC Telford in the mix, but unable to take the lead in title race
After the worst possible start to 2025 for AFC Telford United, doubts are creeping in about whether this really will be their year.
Of course no team can ever guarantee that it will be ‘their year’.
Most people expected the Bucks to bounce back at the first opportunity last season, despite having to deal with far more turmoil than they have this term.
Last season there were more mitigating factors for Kevin Wilkin’s side. This season those same excuses are not as relevant.
There was not the same level of rebuild in the summer, injuries have not been quite so devastating, and no team has run away with the division like Needham Market and Mickleover did last term.
Instead, Telford’s problems have been a lot more self-inflicted, both on and off the pitch.
On the pitch, the problem has never been more obvious – Kevin Wilkin’s side are conceding far too many goals.
After 22 games this season they have shipped 37. In the 44 league and play-off games they played last season, the Bucks conceded just 35 times.
Undoubtedly a big part of that has been the absence of last season’s captain Fraser Kerr, who left the club in the summer to pursue a career opportunity in Dubai with his wife.
There is no denying the Scottish centre-back has been missed this term, but even he was not a mainstay in Wilkin’s side due to injuries. He featured 30 times for the Bucks in an injury-hit campaign and was dropped during the run-in as Wilkin favoured current centre-back pairing Orrin Pendley and Sam Whittall.
Another key member of last season’s squad who has been missed is top scorer Montel Gibson, who despite Telford’s best efforts joined step two side Hereford in June. He is now back in step three at Matlock on a contract the Bucks again could not compete with. That exit had at least been anticipated, and former EFL striker Dior Angus was lured from National League side Altrincham as Gibson’s replacement. After three league goals – all from the penalty spot – in nine games, he left the club by mutual consent having struggled to settle.
The subsequent striker search has proved fruitless for Kevin Wilkin, as the club continue to be outspent by perceived ‘smaller clubs’ at the level.
Looking around the division, there are several in-form strikers Telford have shown an interest in but were unable to find the financial package to match.
In the summer Telford found themselves in a three-way tussle for Riley O’Sullivan, whose goals fired Spalding United to promotion into the Southern Central Premier last year.
He went on to join fellow-promoted side Harborough Town, and the Shropshire Star understands both of their offers dwarfed what Telford could provide.
Elsewhere, the management have been big fans of Stratford Town hot-shot Callum Ebanks for some time, as well as Redditch United forward Marvellous Onabirekhanlen, but so far any inquiries have fallen on deaf ears.
Despite the good form of Matty Stenson and Ricardo Dinanga, Telford still find themselves short on league-winning firepower – especially as more often than not they need to score at least twice to win a game.
There is no doubt that work is going on behind the scenes to rectify their issues, but there is doubt about whether they have the resources available to do so.
Unlike several clubs at the level, Telford will not spend beyond their means to win promotion.
Unfortunately though, for as long as teams are doing that, Bucks’ promotion hopes are likely to remain just that – hopes.
