AFC Telford United are pleased to announce that Kevin Wilkin has signed an extended contract as our first-team manager.
Kevin’s current contract had just nine months remaining, expiring in May 2026. Kevin has now signed a new two-year contract for seasons 2025/26 and 2026/27.
Kevin has transformed the club on the field since joining us in October 2022, including a virtually complete rebuild of the squad. Our plan for the 2023/24 season was minimum play-offs, which was achieved, and we narrowly lost in the playoff final, the foundations for success had been laid. The plan for the 2024/25 season was to go one better and gain promotion back to Step 2, which Kevin and his management team worked hard to achieve and was delivered in a never-to-be-forgotten play-off final in May of this year.
Chairman Ian Dosser and fellow Director Steve Pryce said, ‘We are delighted that Kevin has signed an extended contract, and clearly he is hugely experienced at this level and above. The mentality, continuity and depth of the playing squad have been transformed in Kevin’s time at the club, as has the connection between the players, management team and our supporters. The on-field plan for season 2025/26 is to achieve the highest possible position in the National League North. Please let’s all continue to get behind the team and further develop what we can achieve together.”
Kevin Wilkin said, ”I’ve very much enjoyed my time at Telford and I’m delighted to be extending my time at the club and continuing to work with all stakeholders to really push to get the club back amongst the non league elite”.
Asked about the timing of the announcement, Kevin admitted that whilst gaining clarification about the future was important, it had taken a back seat to getting a squad in place over the summer.
“You’re wanting to get the players signed, and that’s helping them to secure their futures and giving them some security, so you can start to move forward and progress with the group, and in the midst of looking after everyone else, you forget to look after yourself. It was always in the back of my mind, and I think Steve and Ian’s too, so I’m pleased we’ve been able to have that conversation.”
“If you leave these things, then all of a sudden, if things don’t go to plan you’re under a bit of pressure, so obviously it helps that it’s sorted and we can have that focus now on continuing to carve something out together, to be progressive and hopefully really competitive at this this level. That’s something I’m eager to do; Ian and Steve are as well.”
Kevin hopes that the feeling of being on the same page extends to everyone at the club.
“We know that’s what the fans want, and I believe we have players on board who understand those hopes and expectations and want to grow and learn and grow the club back towards the place we’d love it to be, challenging at the sharp end. That’s what I think everybody feels we want to be, and we’d like to be, and there’s plenty of work to do, but that’s our goal and, hopefully, we can.”
