Langton: We only have players who want to play for Ashford Town

Thursday 13th August 2009

ASHFORD TOWN assistant manager Hugo Langton has warned Croydon Athletic that money doesn’t buy success, writes Stephen McCartney.

The summer financial problems at Homelands Stadium are well documented - and the club open their Ryman League Division One South campaign at big-spenders Croydon Athletic on Saturday - before hosting Merstham next Wednesday night.

Speaking about Croydon Athletic, Langton told www.kentishfootball.co.uk today: “The two guys who run the side down there have assembled a great team down there and have set their expectations very high so good luck to them.

“It’s a very tough start but we’re looking forward to it.

“It’s all very well assembling whatever type of squad but it’s got to gel and it’s got to happen for Croydon as well. It’s not only Croydon who are looking to be up there this year. You have the Met Police and I imagine Ramsgate as well will have a say with what’s going on up there.”

The players that only donned the green and white shirt for the money last season have all jumped ship - leaving players that want to learn under Steve Lovell and Langton’s guidance.

“We’ve had to build a new squad,” said Langton. “I think we’ve had six or seven stay from last year. We now have a squad of 21 so we’ve got pretty fierce competition for places.

“We’ve got quite a young squad but their attitude is brilliant. They train really hard and take on board what me and Steve want to do and more importantly they want to play for Ashford Town Football Club. We’re really excited about them.”

With Croydon Athletic splashing the cash again, Langton warns the Thornton Heath outfit that Ashford Town - the bigger club by miles - will not lie down and die.

“We’re away from home, a very tough place,” said Langton. “We’re not going to go there and roll over and invite Croydon to have a right go at us.

“We’ll make sure we’re very organised when we don’t have the ball. We know how they play, we’ll tell the players to work hard and enjoy playing for Ashford Town.”

Ashford welcome Merstham to Homelands on their new midweek date of Wednesday nights and Langton looks forward to turning on the style in front of their passionate supporters.

He said: “It’s a good home fixture. I know they lost their manager to Leatherhead and he’s taken quite a few players with him.

“I know they played at Holmesdale a few weeks ago but I didn’t have a chance to watch them. Billy Hughes, the Holmesdale manager, told me a few bits and bobs about them.

“But it’s not about them. At our place we’ll be looking to get the ball down and play our football and enjoy it.”

Langton added: “Last year was last year. Some things happened that were a little bit out of our control. We’ve got a whole new set of new players now and me and Steve have been working with them on the training ground and we can’t wait to start.”

Langton, meanwhile, revealed that Lovell has a full squad of 21 players to pick from for their opening game.

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

Croydon Athletic v Ashford Town

Ryman League Division One South

Saturday 15th August 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At The Keith Tuckey Stadium, off Mayfield Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey CR7 6DN