I'm looking forward to the challenges ahead, says Nolan - EXCLUSIVE

Steve Nolan, 48, is looking forward to linking up with Clive Walker again - with challenging for promotion high on the agenda again, writes Stephen McCartney.

Nolan was Walker’s assistant’s manager during their two years together at Dover Athletic, helping the Crabble outfit to reach the Ryman League Division One South play-off’s for two successive seasons.

And Nolan, who works for Royal Mail, wants to deliver promotion during the pair’s first season in charge with Ashford Town.

Walker has already signed three players from his former club, with creative midfielder and Whites skipper Lee Spiller, 29, central defender Nick Humphrey and full-back Tony Browne arriving from Crabble.

Ex-Sittingbourne boss Nolan is relishing working with Walker and their three recruits from Dover Athletic, again.

“I’ve been away on holiday to France this week, so I’m just catching up with all the things going on,” Nolan said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

“I do know a lot about Lee,” he explained. “He’s a great player for other players at the club and he plays with huge amounts of enthusiasm and a great will to win.”

Speaking about former Tonbridge Angels defender Humphrey, Nolan added: “Nicky Humphrey is a good centre half, whose a very strong player and has pace as well.”

And Nolan admits Ashford Town have appointed the correct management team in their bid to turn around the fortunes at The Homelands after three underachieving campaigns.

He said: “I think we’re probably two different characters but we work very well between the two of us.

“And I think we work well for the team and the club.”

A lot is expected from Ashford Town next season, who should be challenging for the Ryman League Division One South title, alongside Kentish rivals, Dartford and Dover Athletic.

“I think it is a sleeping giant,” Nolan said of his new club. “I’m looking forward to the challenges all that brings immensely and I can’t wait to start really.

“Clive is a great coach and a good manager - we work very much between us.

“I think I’ve got the experience at non-league level. I know lots of teams, lots of players and coaching abilities. Not only for young players, experienced players (too).

“I think there’s some good players there (at Ashford Town last season) and we have to give them every opportunity.

“The last dozen games of last season they performed very well, those players.”

He added: “I think it is exciting. I think there’s a huge potential there at Ashford, it’s going to be a challenge.

“The League itself is going to be a challenge and I’m looking forward to it.

“June is the close season but for us it will probably be a busy time with the arrangements going into a new club, speaking to existing players and everything.”

* News that Tony Browne had signed for Ashford Town from Dover Athletic was confirmed after our interview with Steve Nolan.

Visit Ashford Town’s website: www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk