I WON’T BE TOO TUFF ON THE OLD BRIGADE

LUKE TUFFS reckons he’s got a ready-made squad to take Step 4 by storm next season – but insists his inherited Ashford Town (Middx) squad will still take priority.

The former Hartley Wintney coach was handed the reins at the BetVictor Isthmian South Central Tangerines on Tuesday night, just 48 hours after stepping down from his first managerial job at Knaphill.

Popular Tuffs takes over at the Robert Parker Stadium from former playing favourite Russell Canderton, who swapped manager duties for a seat on the board of directors last week.

The rookie boss arrives with an already glittering CV having helped Hartley on their meteoric rise from Step 5 to Step 3 before then steering the Knappers to second in the Combined Counties League in his first season as a manager.

Tuffs is expected to delve into his overflowing contacts book once again this summer, this time to help the Middlesex club fulfil their lofty ambitions next season.

But the new boss insists he won’t just be ringing in the changes for the sake of it and will give every member of last year’s squad the chance to keep their starting shirts.

“I’m very lucky to have a pool of players who want to stay loyal to me, but I’m not just going to come in and dismantle everything,” the 33-year-old told The NLP.

“They kept the club up last season and stuck by the club in difficult circumstances so, of course, they deserve the opportunity to fight for a shirt next season should they want to keep playing for this football club. Yes, we will bring in some fresh faces but the players who are here currently are the ones in possession of the shirts.

“I’ve spoken to a number of players, both the Ashford players and some of those who played with me at Knaphill last season, and there seems to be a collective desire to kick on and really give it a go next season.”

Tuffs admits the interviewing process to land the top job was hardly standard, but says he is “buzzing” for the fresh challenge ahead.

“It’s a strange time to take over, I don’t think I’ve ever had an interview entirely over the phone before!

“It’s an absolute no-brainer for me. It’s a step up at a club who are very loyal to their managers and with a very ambitious plan in place for the future. I’m very excited to be a part of it.”