1stjuly05

Friday 01st July 2005

Thorogood looking for new players
EXCLUSIVE

After settling a fifteen day dispute with their landlords yesterday, Ashford Town owner/joint-manager, Tim Thorogood insists the team will be ready for their first pre-season friendly, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Ryman League division one side start their pre-season programme with a trip to Kent League runners-up, Herne Bay at Winch's Field on Saturday 23rd July.

In an EXCLUSIVE interview with www.kentishfootball.co.uk, Thorogood, who shares first team managerial duties with John Cumberbatch, said: "Some players came in over a month ago so we haven't lost any ground fitness wise, we haven't lost any momentum.

"But from a players' perspective, we have lost considerable momentum.

"We haven't been able to sign any players on new contracts yet and we were in the midst of signing at least five or six new players prior to this situation with Ashford Holdings.

"Unfortunately several of these players have chosen to play their football elsewhere."

But Thorogood is on the look out for new players as the Homelands club look to have a more enjoyable Ryman League division one campaign this time around.

"From my perspective I would only be too happy to hear from any players who are interested to play for this football club," he said.

"And that means local players and any others that are struggling to settle, unhappy or in distribute - we'd like to hear from them."

After their trip to Herne Bay, Ashford entertain Sittingbourne (Thursday 28th July) and Bromley (Saturday 30th July) at Homelands.

Thorogood then takes his side to Hythe Town (Tuesday 2nd August) before hosting local rivals, Folkestone Invicta on the 11th.

Then its the "Battle of Ashford" when they travel to Ashford Town (Middlesex), Short Lane, Ashford, Middlesex on Saturday 6th August.