Lovell admits to being left in the dark

Tuesday 12th May 2009

ASHFORD TOWN manager Steve Lovell says his preparations for next season haven’t got off the ground as he appears to be left in the dark, writes Stephen McCartney.

Chairman Don Crosbie's recent illness, suffering a heart attack, and with the club owing the Inland Revenue an unpaid tax bill in the region of £100,000, it appears that nobody knows what is going on at the club.

Communication from the Ryman League Division One South club has gone dead during the close season, but www.kentishfootball.co.uk contacted Lovell tonight to ask him the present situation at the club.

“I don’t know what’s happening yet," Lovell replied. "The club needs to sort itself out really before they can decided which way they want to go.

“This has been going on for a few months now. It’s common knowledge that things aren’t, how can I put it, things aren’t what they should be at this stage of the season, or off season as it may be.”

When asked whether he remains the manager of the club, Lovell replied, “I’m still the manager! I haven’t been told otherwise.

“There is still a lot of problems off the field at the club and I don’t know how deep they are, what the actual problems are. But that is for people off the field to know and I will know when they are all sorted out.”

Lovell admitted the silence is damaging his plans for next season.

“The players are still at Ashford, only in name,” he said.

“There’s nothing to report regarding new signings, people leaving, about anything. All the talk is what’s going on off-the-field, nothing to do with me or anybody else. That needs to be sorted out so I can go on and do my job.

“I’m pretty sure something will be made apparent pretty soon and something will have to give. Hopefully that will happen sooner rather than later so I can build for next year.

“This is the time of year, as you know, when you build your squad ready for next year.

“I know exactly what I want to do. I know the players I want to keep and bring in.

“I can’t do anything until I’m given the green light to go ahead and do it.

“It’s a pretty unique situation for me really. I’ve never been in this situation at a club when you don’t know what’s going to happen.”

I feel that a statement about off-the-pitch matters at Ashford Town would be very welcomed by all.

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