New deputy to be mAnAger next seAson

Jason Whitmore says he’s excited about working with Gary Alexander after adding the former Greenwich boss to his backroom staff.

Alexander will take over as Ashford boss in the summer but for the next three-and-a-half months, he’ll work as Whitmore’s assistant manager.

The pair’s first home game working together is on Saturday against local rivals Hythe Town.

Whitmore said: “Gary brings not just a winning formula but the character and he’s a football person.

“We met on Monday and had a chat about next season. We won’t go down this season so there’s a chance for us to look at some players and bed them in, give them a few games to see if they can make it next season.

“We’re not going to dive in and make loads of signings, we’ll take our time and get the right ones for next season.

“I was looking for the right person that could allow me to step upstairs and carry on what I’m doing.

“I won’t be gone, I’ll be heavily involved and when it comes to decisions about players, we’ll do it together but I don’t need to be in the dugout. That doesn’t bother me.

“For me, it’s about Ashford United Football Club.

“What can we do to take it to the next level? If that means I put Gary there and I step back and help from behind the scenes, to make sure the club is sustainable, so be it.

“Your budget’s got to match the revenue that’s coming in so we need to increase revenue. How can we get a five-year plan of going up the leagues? That’s what we want.”

Ashford, who travelled to titlechasing Cray Wanderers last night (Wednesday), have won their last three home games, while Hythe are winless on the road since November.

Popular big keeper George Kamurasi is back at Homelands.

The 27-year-old Ugandan has re-signed for United from Greenwich Borough having kept 31 clean sheets in 86 appearances during his previous two-year spell with the club.

United have also signed versatile young defender Ola Williams on a dual registration from National League Bromley.

Winger Rohdell Gordon has joined Royston Town and scored on his debut against Hertford on Tuesday.