Former boss hails AFC Telford United revival

Mick Jones is now Neil Warnock's assistant manager at QPR

Former Telford United manager Mick Jones has praised the revival of the club that went out of business in 2004.

The collapse of chairman Andy Shaw's business empire meant the club had to be reformed as AFC Telford United in the Unibond League Division One.

But the Bucks are now set to meet Guiseley in a plau-off for a place in the Blue Square Bet Premier.

"If you get the right people behind the club it shows what can happen," Jones told BBC Radio Shropshire.

Telford United, three-time winners of the FA Trophy, had never been out of non-league's top flight before their financial problems.

"It was a big shock at the time because everybody thought the club was secure," said Jones, who is now assistant manager at QPR.

"I met the players and told them they were all available to find themselves another club.

"We had 12 clubs come in for Sam Ricketts [now at Bolton]. Sam was adamant he was going nowhere and was going to fight for the cause."

Victory over Guiseley in the Blue Square Bet North at the New Buck's Head on Sunday will secure Telford a third promotion in seven years, and Jones credits chairman Lee Carter with the club's resurgence.

"I remember shortly after the club going bust, Lee Carter met me and straight away I saw somebody who was prepared to go above and beyond what was necessary to get the club back on it's feet," said Jones.