Shropshire Star

AFC Telford boss out to net a goal-getter

Rob Smith will turn attentions to beefing up his strike force after expressing satisfaction with AFC Telford’s summer dealings to date.

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Rob Smith

The boss is eager to bag a goalscorer in the coming weeks after releasing Dave Hibbert and seeing Lee Hughes depart for a career in management at the end of the season.

Dan Westwood, who joined the Bucks from West Midlands Premier outfit Wolverhampton Casuals back in March, has agreed a deal for next year. The club have also snapped up John Marsden, who scored two goals in five games while on loan from Stockport.

But Smith is on the lookout for another proven striker after a campaign in which his team found goals desperately hard to come by.

Telford scored just 38 goals in 42 league games as they finished 17th in National League North.

Smith said: "We've certainly got the makings of a very good defence, and a strong midfield, now it's about strikers. A goalscorer is what everyone is in the market for.

"Everything is about having the right characters, and I feel we have got that so far."

Another busy week at the New Bucks Head has seen Smith snap up full-back Jordan Gough and former Worcester City winger Chekaine Steele. Paul McCone, Zak Lilly and Jon Royle have all agreed to remain with the club.

The size of the Bucks squad currently stands at 14 and the manager also expects to welcome a number of trialists when the Bucks return for pre-season training, when he will look to put the finishing touches on the club’s recruitment.

"We have got agreements in place for seven or eight to come down for pre-season, in hope of earning themselves a deal,” he added.

"We will be picking and choosing as we go, not rushing, making sure they are the right players for us.

"I'm happy with how it's all gone so far, I think it's looking well.