AFC Telford United players are a class apart

Even if the club pass the test with first-class honours and return to non-league's top flight next year, a full-time playing squad will still be some way down the line.

That has resonated with midfielder Charlie Barnett and winger Robbie Booth, who are looking to hit the ground running on the pitch and in the classroom as time wares on.

Barnett, a former Liverpool and England youth international, dropped out of full-time football after leaving Accrington Stanley in the summer at the relatively-young age of 25.

Shortly after joining Telford, he looked into studying for qualifications outside of football and began a course in physiotherapy at Salford University, so the part-game now suits him better.

By next year, it could be two Bucks who are hitting the books – with a hand from the Professional Footballers Association – as Booth is interested in a social work course at Edge Hill University.

Part of the PFA's remit is to help part-time footballers and players who have dropped out of the pro ranks find alternative employment and Booth doesn't want to be a landscape gardener forever.

He said: "I am looking at going to university to do social work next year. My little sister, Hannah, is doing the same course and has got me into it.

"She reckons it's something I would be really good at it and it really interests me. From what she tells me, it makes a difference to so many kids.

"It's something I can do part-time and the PFA have said they can help me, so why not take advantage of it and learn something else alongside football?

"Charlie has just started doing physiotherapy at Salford University and the PFA fast-tracked him. You are a member for life when you join them.

"You could even ring them in 20 or 30 years time!"

On the field, Booth may always have a home where Watson is presiding over matters – the Telford manager has signed him four times, twice for Southport and once for Burscough and the Bucks.

But the 27-year-old was left frustrated after landing a one-year contract at the New Bucks Head only to be blocked from playing in the league, as he needed international clearance.

The Football Association of Wales held his registration after he played out the previous campaign in their Premier League with Bangor City, forcing him to miss the first two games of the season.

He said: "It was a bit of a saga, to be honest, and I felt let down. I was happy with my pre-season, the manager had come out and praised me, so I was looking forward to the first game.

"Not to be involved was a bit of a kick in the teeth and it set me back a little bit. I have worked hard to get back in the team and, hopefully, I can kick on now."

Booth freely admits he never should have signed for Bangor, after spending a large part of the season out injured at Chester, and believes what happened next only strengthened that view.

He said: "In my last season at Chester, I had a back injury that kept me out for months and I have should have stayed there and seen the duration of my contract out.

"Nothing against Bangor, but I never should never have gone there."

It took Booth until the eighth game of the season to nail down a starting place, but he took just nine minutes to bag his first competitive goal for the Bucks.

A fierce low drive was the equaliser in Saturday's 4-1 win at home to Colwyn Bay and Booth wants to play his part when Worcester City are the visitors tonight.

He said: "It's such a big week coming up for us, with the game tonight and a massive cup tie on Saturday. We know how important those games are.

"I hadn't started the previous few matches so it was nice to play, first and foremost."