I want to stay at Ashford, that’s for sure. I’ve had a few clubs come in for me about next season but I want to stay, says striker Adrian Stone

ADRIAN STONE says he has shelved his retirement plans and wants to stay at Ashford United next season.

The 37-year-old striker supports The Football Association’s decision to suspend the season, insisting all players would have been put at risk of catching the coronavirus had they continued playing football.

Tommy Warrilow’s side were sitting in second-place in the Isthmian League South East Division table with 59 points on the board from 30 games, three points behind leaders Hastings United, who had a couple games in hand.

However, a letter signed by Laurence C Jones, the Head of the National League System at The Football Association, was sent to all clubs on Thursday 26 March 2020, put paid to all club’s below National League South completing their campaigns and no promotion or relegation will take place this season and all results expunged from the league tables.

“I’m gutted for the club, for the players, the gaffer and the fans, especially with the position we were in the league,” said Stone.

“I support the FA decision, it had to be done.  It’s (the spread of the coronavirus) not getting any better. All of the players are all gutted but I think we understand we are all at risk.”

Stone revealed earlier on in the campaign that never was that he was going to hang up his boots at the end of this season but has shelved those plans as he has more to give Ashford United next season, whenever that will be.

“I said last season that this might be my last but I can’t finish like this. I have more to give and I’m still playing at a decent level at my age,” said Stone, who was given his Ashford Town debut, aged, 17, by Tim Thorogood, who sadly passed away earlier in the month.

“I’ve not spoken to the gaffer about next season yet.  I want to stay at Ashford, that’s for sure.  I’ve had a few clubs come in for me about next season but I want to stay.”

When asked how Covid-19 is effecting the Stone household, the striker replied: “We work as a family, we are lucky, my wife is working from home and I’m a gardener, so I’m still working at the moment.

“My job keeps me ticking over, plus where I live in Sevenoaks, I’ve got fields where I go running.

“I think all of my team-mates all have decent jobs outside of football, as far as I’m aware.”

Stone has this message to the Homelands Stadium faithful.

“I just want everyone to stay safe and we’ll look forward to next season.”

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