Ashford United appoint Kevin Watson as their new manager after receiving 35 applications for Homelands Stadium job

ASHFORD UNITED have appointed former Herne Bay boss Kevin Watson as their new manager this morning.

Watson replaces Tommy Warrilow, who left Homelands Stadium on 24 April after the club finished in ninth-place in the Isthmian League South East Division table after finishing the season on 57 points from 38 league games.

Chatham Town clinched the title by picking up 79 points, while Ramsgate (72 points), Whitehawk (69), Beckenham Town (68) and Hythe Town (67) finished in the play-offs.

Brighton-based side Whitehawk sealed promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division after 1-0 home wins over Beckenham Town and Hythe Town in the play-offs.

After spending four years in charge at Chatham Town, Watson managed Cray Valley (Paper Mills).

Under his guidance, the Millers managed their highest league position ever, and reached the FA Vase Final, where they lost 3-1 to Chertsey Town after extra time at Wembley Stadium in May 2019.

Cray Valley also reached The FA Cup First Round for the first time in the club’s history in 2021, which included beating National League side Maidenhead United 1-0 in the Fourth Qualifying Round before losing 1-0 at National League South side Havant & Waterlooville – both games were played behind closed doors due to Covid-19 restrictions at the time.

Watson made the switch to Herne Bay last November but the club suffered relegation from the Isthmian League Premier Division.

Watson was in charge of the Bay for 27 games in all competitions, winning seven, drawing seven and losing 13, as the club’s maiden campaign in the sixth-tier lasted just the one season.

Watson explained his reasons for leaving Winch’s Field before losing 5-0 at home to league champions Bishop’s Stortford on the final day of the season.

“The club received 35 applications for the position and we would like to give thanks to all who were unsuccessful,” said a club statement.

Watson has appoionted Adam Flanagan as his assistant manager, having worked together at Herne Bay.

"I thank Don Crosbie and Derek Prestridge for providing the opportunity for me to work at this fantastic football club," said Watson in a statement.

"Ashford United is a club which I have admired from a distance and which holds high regard both in Kent and the wider non-league community.

"My ambition as manager is to match the growth of the local community with a successful local football club. I am acutely aware of the great work of both Tommy Warrilow and Alex O'Brien over an extended period of time and am determined to build on this platform.

"Joining me as assistant manager will be Adam Flanagan. Adam’s wealth of experience and persona will be pivotal in creating the desired environment.

"While the season may have just concluded, we now enter an extremely busy and important time for the club. My intention is to communicate and meet with the current squad, articulating the vision and values that we hold.

"Alongside those conversations will be the arranging of pre-season friendlies and scheduling a return for pre-season. The work has started already to ensure that we are in a position of strength heading into the next league campaign.

"I very much look forward to engaging with the supporters of the club in due course, but I wish you all well and look forward to working with you."

Visit Ashford United’s website: www.ashfordunitedfc.com