7th May 2019
Just nine years ago, Ashford United were on the brink of extinction. Off-field matters dominated the headlines, with the doors nearly closed on the club completely.
Forced into administration, they were kept alive, but the team known as Ashford Town were now gone after an 80-year history, instead rebranded as Ashford United.
Success followed nearly immediately; two promotions were bookended by former owner Don Crosbie returning to his previous position at the club; his arrival in 2013 pivotal in United’s dramatic rise in recent years.
Friday’s agonising defeat in the Bostik South East play-off final was no doubt disappointing, yet the result doesn’t reflect the spirit and determination the side showed throughout the game, and during these last few years too.
With an increasingly talented squad on the pitch and a financially secure club now off it, United have a hugely positive future to look forward to, something echoed by owner Crosbie.
He said: “We fought a long-hard battle from administration back in 2010, and always kept the club alive in the background.
“The club’s had a big, strong resurgence since, and I think everyone knows that. We’ve got great infrastructure and great facilities, and that gives us the foothold to climb the league again.
“We’re now strong and financially sound, and if you compare this to other clubs at our level, a few are struggling simply to stay afloat.”
He continued: “Since I’ve been back, we’ve gone from the Kent Invicta League to knocking on the door of the Bostik Premier League, and that’s massive. Next year we’ll be even stronger as we continue to go from strength-to-strength.”
Crosbie labels the arrival of manager Tommy Warrilow as key in the club’s recent success, and for helping the team progress in the future too.
Warrilow led United from mid-table to the play-off final
Brought in to replace Gary Alexander in November, the former Nuts & Bolts player was already a fan favourite before he took the club from mid-table to a fourth-place finish in the league.
Crosbie added: “Tommy knows about non-league football and what players will do a good job; he also does it sensibly without breaking the bank.
“A lot of managers can throw money around and get a bit of success but it’s not necessarily sustainable, whereas with Tommy he knows how to not bust the bank, and get players playing as a team and not individuals.
“Already for next season he has spoken with the team, and in the upcoming weeks the next move will be to set the team up for next year and start going early.
“This year he came in halfway through, whereas now it will be all Tommy and Alex (O’Brien).
“Next season I hope we’ll be knocking on the door, if not winning the league, and that’s the plan because this season was very successful.”
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joeharbert 