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Interview with Steve Lovell. By Sandy



Questions in Bold were put to Steve, and his answers follow.

Q. The Kentish Express says you are looking to strengthen the squad. Have you signed anyone and/or is there anyone in the pipeline.

A. I expect to have at least 3 new players starting our next game on the 14th. The deals are not quite done, the clubs have been spoken to and are in agreement I just need to sort out a couple of things with the players. One will be a permanant signing and the other two loan signings. I expect it all to be done by Monday next week. I won't be saying which positions as it may cause unrest in the team and lead to nothing. All the teams the players are from are higher in the football pyramid than Ashford.

Q. Has the playing budget been increased or is it a case of 2 in 2 out?

A. This season I suggested a new pay structure which has been brought in. Unlike previous seasons, this year we have a squad of 16 players who get paid. If you're not in the squad then you don't get paid, simple as that. This should be an incentive to get in the squad and fight for your place. If you don't want to fight for a place then you don't want to be at the club.

Q. Nick Smith and Bryan Pearce were both missing from the last game. Why? And are they still ATFC players?

A. Nick Smith has had a very bad virus/flu. I spoke to him today and he wouldn't be playing if we had a game Saturday but I'm hopeful for a return on Wednesday. He very much remains an ATFC player. Bryan Pearce never turned up to play last Saturday and has not spoken to me. I know he has spoken to Hugo this week but he has not contacted me personally. I have no idea what is happening and I'm waiting to see if he turns up for training on Saturday and speaks to me then. If he doesn't turn up then it looks like he has left.

Q. Darren Ibrahim and Dan Mason, will they get another chance in the 1st team and/or do they need to strengthen their game.

A. What do you think? Both were at fault for some the goals scored against them. Darren has been told all through pre season and the beginning of this season he is unfit, he knows he is unfit. If he had been in shape he would have saved more goals. He got a chance at the first team and didn't do himself justice. He needs to get fit to be a goalkeeper, no chance if he doesn't. Dan was at fault for three of the four goals against Merstham. He also needs to get fit.

Q. John Guests' loan period, how long?

A. Till the end of this month. After which he either signs for us or he leaves. I want him to stay and will be speaking to Dartford and John but it is up to them. John has brought a lot of experience to the side but I also thovught Toby did a good job when he came on for him.

Q. Our recent form?

A. Our first 20/25 minutes have been good but we go down through mistakes. Individual mistakes are costing us games and those individual mistakes need to be addressed. We didn't deserve to lose the last two games by that many goals.
These first eight games have been like our pre season friendlies. Don't forget the team haven't been together that long after the loss of a lot of the players from last season. This has been the time to see how the players perform, who can handle it at this level and who can't. I always said after 10 games would be the time to stop and see where we are. The next 10 games are very important, we need to start picking up points. A good run over the next 3/4 games could see us midtable.

Review of Coorinthian Casuals

The awayday coach departed from The Homelands at 11-15am and we were in expectant mood of a good result having beaten Whyteleafe just 1 week ago.

With many of the players and staff travelling on the supporters club coach the mood was high and there was no indication of what the day really had in store for us all.

Corinthian Casuals are a club who rely on the true sporting attitude to prevail,paying no wages to any players and running the club on a true amateur basis.They list their president as one Jimmy Hill and are the only team that i know of that play in Chocolate and Pink halved shirts.Their ground is basic with scaffold pole style stands being the order of the day but with a brick built and very hospitable bar area to the rear of the main stand.A friendly welcome to all was conveyed all be it by staff wearing proudly their chocolate and pink ties!

The Game.
The game started with Ashford stroking the ball around in confident mood BUT no chances on goal! We seemed to be playing possession football,out to impress as to just how good we were on the ball but seemed to forget the name of the game is to beat the opposistion by scoring goals.At 15 mins in Nick Smith was unceremoniously hacked down by the Corinthians defence and expectations for a goal became high,only for Briggo to waste a ball that was easily cleared by the Corinthian defenders.Their centre half (Oops sorry)back 4 centre,was at 6ft 6” very unlikely to be beaten in the air but repeatedly we pumped in high balls for them to head away.

The first attack by Casuals totally against the flow of play came from a cross that saw Darren Ibrahim rooted to the spot and the casuals nodded home with consummate ease.1-0 to casuals

This seemed to sting Ashford and were soon at the other end demanding a penalty where Mitch was hacked down as he entered the box from the right.The ref was having none of it and clearly the marks in the turf were evident but no,awarded a foot outside the box.As a warning to the day,nothing came of the resultin g free kick.

Shortly afterwards Casuals spotted Darren Ibrahim a long way forward of the goal line,speculatively hacked in a high lob which again left our keeper waving at thin air and the ball going in over his head!From a good 30-35 yards out and no real pace on the ball our keeper is looking all too diminutive in a goal that must of to him, seemed massive! 2-0 to Corinthian Casuals

We were all stunned that with so much possession of the play to be 2 down to sucker punches.......worse was to come.....

Corinthian were awarded a free kick at the edge of the box towards the right touchline after Danny Lye had fouled.Casuals casually stroked the ball straight over the keepers head AGAIN into the net!One kick and in the goal! Its now3-0

Looking at 3-0 at half time?......nope,Casuals again broke straight through the Ashford defence all of whom were looking for a half time break and inspiration and with only Darren Ibrahim to get around ...youve guessed it ....4-0

The Ashford faithfull supporters assembled at the bar at half time and with double orders trying to release the pain it was obvious we were getting a spanking.



The second half was a fight back by Ashford but again with little success.

Nick Smith did not appear in the second half proceedings maybe from one too many harsh tackles that he endured in the first half.Jonah was recognised as our attacking force and all game seemed to be patrolled by 2 if not 3 defenders and was effectively taken out of the game.Now ,having said that what were the others doing if 3 defenders were being used to take out Jonah!

Steve Lovell then decided with 70 mins gone to make his team an out and attacking team by taking off the ineffective Ryan Briggs and Mitchell Sherwood.Attackers Luke Coleman and fans favourite “Rhino” aka Kevin Swaisland were introduced.The immediate effect was panic in the casuals defence as Rhino bulldozed his way through defence and it was a case of hack him down or he will score!

Well they kept on hacking until the Rhino bundled his way into the area and tucked the ball away to restore some Ashford pride. 4-1 scoreline!

With 17 of there 20 mins playing time as subs gone,Luke Coleman fired in at the Casuals goal a real thunderbolt from 25 yards that had goal written all over it!,only for the Corinthian Casuals goalie to tip the ball over the bar!! Still 4-1

With 3 minutes of extra time played the Ashford faithfull supporters were given the coup de grace as, on another breakaway attack, Casuals slipped the ball under the dejected Ibrahim to rub salt into the wound and completely deflate the side with the scoreline reading ....Corinthian Casuals 5...ATFC 1



On reflection ,a game that promised so much yet delivered so little.Steve Lovell has a mountain to climb to lift the team but if any one can then Steve can!

The team looked rusty and out of salts in all departments maybe from not playing midweek against Whitstable .Still,we cannot control power cuts as it seems the local sub station which delivers 3 phase electric to the stadium decided to blow up!Power was not restored to the Stadium until 2am much to the relief of Don Crosbie who had over £2000 worth of food and drinks at jeopardy if the power loss lasted!

Update 17/09/2009

Firstly an apology for the lack of news over the past 3 weeks, this has been a combined issue of overwork (newshound), no work (servers) and major distractions as we prepare for our first event in a long period of time..This has led to some serious catch up over the past couple of days. The website now looks a lot fresher, and i will slowly work my way through it all, updating as i go. If there is anything you would like to see, drop me a line. Now for the news.

So i’ll start with......................

Anyone at the Homelands for yesterdays Reserves match, could not have missed the “jingles” being tried out. This has come froma a partnership with KMFM, and will lead to radio advert/updates (in the same-way, but better than, Gillingham). Along these lines there will be Ringtone jingles for your mobile phone, and for those with newer phones, active ATFC desktops. This media push, in the face of all the doom and gloom can only inspire confidence that there is a long term plan in place.

i once again have to push the club shop. Lower prices have meant that shirts are more affordable, with some fans purchasing both home and away. As-well as the prices coming down the product list keeps growing and growing. We have the Green and black jackets that are so good Hugo has enquired about them. There is also the Hoodies that are coming out very soon. And who can forget everyones favourite, the air horns. The club shop also stock drinks, crisps, chocolate and sweets (including your favourite 1,2,5 & 10p mixtures. With new sock being trialed all the time, don’t assume everything is on the shop section of the website, pop in when next at the homelands and take a look. The shop now opens when there is a ATFC game at the homelands, from U14’s, U16’s, U18’s, Ressies and of course the first team..

Thats the end from me, webmaster, So i hand over to Colin, Supporters Club, Chairman.


This article is the resume of the news for the last few weeks!

With games coming thick and fast the biggest credit so far must go to the ground staff, headed by Steve Hackett, who have to date had games played on the Homelands turf equivalent to a WHOLE SEASON in previous years!

With a few scars from tackles starting to appear the management have, starting from this weekend’s fixtures, a team of youth players and friends to walk the surface at both half time and full time to replace unearthed divots. The "Divot Boys" as they will be known will save hours of painstaking toil to Steve and his colleagues and this will enable restored growth to take place.
If it’s good enough for the Premiership teams its good enough for ATFC!

Talking of youth takes us to the biggest news.

The new training pitch is nearing completion and next week will see the start of even more investment in both the infrastructure of the club and in youth development.
Perimeter fencing, floodlighting, storage facilities, new goals and lining are all about to be installed.

Finance is the main reason for bringing the youth set up "Home" to The Homelands!
With the quantity of players now registered at all levels playing under the ATFC colours fast approaching the 200 mark, the training fees payable was giving cause for concern! Some months have set the club back nearly £1000 in rental fees, a figure that is unsustainable. £50,000 a year is a big hole in the finances!
To speculate is to accumulate is truer today than ever before. This is the reasoning behind the investment in the new training facilities.

As time goes on we hope to bring you a pictorial update starting from inception to completion.

The football front seems to be somewhat a case of just what might have been.
The recent run of no luck and controversial decisions have cost us dearly. Steve Lovell is a man not to get aggravated easily but with Hugo being ordered away from the dug outs Steve “Had a word” with the referee immediately after the game against Leatherhead, this being an away fixture. This controversial win of 2-0 by the Tanners sees not only £3k going into their bank but has led to a tasty fixture in the next round against Blue Square South’s Lewes.A cup run this season would certainly have been a welcome addition to our fixture list.

Snippets time..........in Bullit point form is a few facts that might or might not be common knowledge;

Lee Ealham......A freak training accident results in a broken ankle...in2 places;
Matty Bower....At 33 comes back to Homelands in the ressies to reinstate the experience;
Mark Lovell.....Will be back very soon to try again
Under 18,s.......Now have a very attractive female physio...The tackles now seem so much stronger!
John Guest......We are seeking to extend his loan period from Dartford
Danny Lye.......Has taken the captains role with Ryan Briggs as his vice
Tony Browne....Work commitments have taken him to the USA and is unable to train
Tom Scorer...One of our brightest prospects signs Ryman forms ...at age 16
Dan Mason........Returns in goal for the ressies
Luke Coleman.....Returns to the Homelands from Ebbsfleet with a 3 goal hatrick
Paul Jones........Will be back against Whytleafe this Saturday hunting for more goals

Now that’s just a taster for a new format that we are trying! It would be good to get some feedback from you the supporters out there as to your likes or dislikes ...let us have your comments


Thats about it for this round up......see you next week!
Colin

News Update - Rob Lane 20/08/2009



Ashford Town have announced that U18 player Tom Scorer has signed Ryman papers. Tom has impressed in his outings at youth and U18 level and now follows brother Dan into the first team squad. We congratulate Tom on his promotion and wish him the best of luck for the rest of the season.

For those fans that have not yet seen Tom in action there may be a chance to sample his skills on Friday evening at Homelands when the U18 will be playing Dartford.- Kick Off is 7.30 and as always with the U18, admission is free.

In reserve team news Ashford have announced that manager Lee Ealham has come out of retirement and signed player papers for the season.
Fans will remember Lee started as a shoolboy at Millwall and signed pro paper s then moved on to Gillingham, where as an apprentice he first met Steve Lovell(who was then a pro with Gills)with Lee having to clean the boots of Mr Lovell as all good apprentices did! On leaving the Gills lee signed for Lincoln.
Lee spent 4 years as a pro then moved in to non league playing for Dover, Ashford, Erith and Belvedere and many more ...he clocked up over 500 non league appearances and retired whilst at Ashford for a second time ......now at the tender age of 35 Lee has made a massive effort to regain fitness with runs and training on a regular basis...Lee has signed Kent League papers and will be player/manager


Editors Note – Now Tom Scorer has moved into the first team, his kit is up for sponsorship. See the club shop for more details.

News Update - Rob Lane 18/08/2009




Reflecting on Saturdays result manager Steve Lovell echoed the thoughts of Hugo Langton in his post match interview, that the 7-0 scoreline was not an accurate representation of the game which, after a bright Ashford start, turned on two goals that should not have stood.
The first followed a clear handball when the Croydon player was on the ground and the third was scored after the ball had gone out of play. Although a deterioration in the passing movement and some individual errors cost further goals the players showed character and determination in continuing to play at maximum effort and continued, throughout the game, to create chances that, on another day, would have found the back of the net.
The team is still getting to know each other, particularly at the back, and the lessons learned from Saturday will be worked on in training as the strengths and weaknesses of the side become more apparent in the next few games.

Both Ryan Norman and Mitchell Sherwood had been carrying small knocks which re-emerged during the game resulting in Ryans substitution at half time and Mitchell being taken off in the second half as a precautionary measure. Additionally, Lee Hockey finished the game with a slight hamstring injury meaning some changes to the line up may be necessary as we go into our first home game against Merstham on Wednesday.

Definately out are:
Danny Lye and Mark Lovell who have another 3/4 games to full fitness.
Dan Scorer has injured a ligament in his ankle and is expected to be out for 6 to 8 weeks.

Other injuries are:

Mitchell Sherwood - heel
Lee Hockey - hamstring and
Ryan Norman

All three are possibles for selection on Wednesday.

Merstham are widely expected to do well this season and began with a 2 - 2 draw at home to seemingly perennial play off contenders Metropolitan Police on Saturday. The Ashford faithful will be hoping that the Nuts and Bolts will bounce back from Saturdays dissappointments to take all three points and go above them in the league table.
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