AFC Telford boss Rob Smith to decide squad's fate in showdown talks
AFC Telford United boss Rob Smith is set for showdown talks with his players over the coming weeks to decide the fate of his squad.
The 2015-16 campaign finally drew to a conclusion as the Bucks fell to a 2-1 defeat at Chorley following a late penalty decision.
Fortunately for Smith's men it mattered little as they had secured their National League North safety in a dramatic season a week before against Worcester City.
But rather than take a deserved break, the New Bucks Head chief revealed that for him and assistant boss Larry Chambers, the real work is just starting.
Smith faces a hectic summer of negotiating with every player in the squad apart from Dave Hibbert out of contract, and Connor McCarthy (Southport) and Graham Hutchison (FC Halifax) due to return to their parent clubs.
"The big work starts pretty much now," said Smith.
"We've got to meet with all of the players individually.
"We've got to tell them what we want to do with them, give some of them offers and some of them not.
"We drew up a list of potential targets in the car on Saturday and the next four or five weeks will be the hardest for me and Larry – we'll be out every night of the week speaking to players.
"Once we've done that maybe we'll have a bit of a holiday, but the hard work starts now."
A tough season, where Smith and Chambers returned to the club in August following the sacking of Steve Kittrick, saw safety secured on the season's penultimate weekend.
The Bucks had looked dead and buried at Christmas, but a miraculous revival – including a seven-game unbeaten run – helped Smith's charges survive. But the boss issued a warning to players, fans and club, acknowledging that hard work must be carried out to ensure Telford aren't dragged into a similar situation next season.
Smith added: "The hard work really does start now because we don't want to be in this position again and we've got to make sure it doesn't happen again."
"Anyone that thinks that it doesn't happen because we're Telford is making a big mistake, because if you take your foot off the pedal, this league is unforgiving.
"From this week onwards we'll be at it and we'll see what happens."
