[Ad] Can Telford United centre the playoff?

AFC Telford United, affectionately known as the Bucks, captured the imagination of their supporters last season with a thrilling playoff final victory. On May 5, 2025, Telford overcame Kettering Town 4–2 in the Southern League Premier Central Playoff Final, played at Latimer Park, to secure promotion back to the National League North, the sixth tier of English football.

After a slow start, the Bucks flipped the script and produced a decisive performance, with Rhys Hilton’s late goal sealing a memorable win in front of an enthusiastic away crowd. Their triumph ended a two-year stint in Step 3 and set the stage for renewed ambitions in 2025–26.

As of January 2026, Telford United sit mid-table in the National League North. They are positioned around 12th place with 35 points from 25 matches, recording a mix of wins, draws, and defeats that reflects a season of ups and downs. While not currently in the automatic promotion race, they are comfortably above the relegation zone and within reach of the playoff places, which is a key detail for assessing their prospects for another postseason push.

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The Bucks’ historical journey as a football club traces back well over a century, beginning originally as Wellington Town in 1892. Over the decades, the club evolved through respectable non-league status, with notable successes including multiple FA Trophy triumphs in the 1970s and 1980s. The historic side became famed for giant-killing FA Cup runs, even reaching the FA Cup Fifth Round in 1985 against top-flight opposition.

However, financial turmoil led to the original Telford United folding in 2004. In its place, AFC Telford United was formed and began a long climb back up the pyramid. Since reforming, the club has enjoyed several high points: playoff victories in the Northern Premier Division and Conference North, and a Conference North play-off win that took them into the higher reaches of non-league football. Most recently, after relegation in 2023, they reached a playoff final the following season and then won promotion in 2025.

Off the pitch, the club enjoys strong local support at the SEAH Stadium, and its history of resilience keeps supporters optimistic even when results fluctuate. The Bucks’ enthusiasm and identity remain rooted in community engagement and exciting, attacking football.

Looking forward, Telford United’s chances of returning to the playoff final after 2025 hinge on several factors. First, consistency in the league will be decisive: climbing into the top seven, which is the typical playoff cutoff, is essential. With a mid-table position as of January, they are realistically in striking distance of the playoff spots if they can string together a series of victories and improve their goal difference.

Secondly, squad depth and fitness will matter during the season’s second half, as the rigors of a National League North campaign can expose teams with thin resources. Finally, tactical adaptability will be key; manager and coaching staff will need to find creative patterns to outperform rivals like those near them in the standings.

By the way, Telford’s current position means another playoff run is far from assured but remains within the realm of possibility. The Bucks have the history, fan support, and recent winning experience to dream again.

And if they can maintain momentum, a return to a playoff final after the 2025 triumph is a goal worth believing in.