By Luke Cawdell

Tony Betteridge believes the lack of football this season will be of benefit to Ashford Town – in the long term.

Mr Betteridge (pictured) won sole ownership of the assets belonging to the now defunct Ashford Town Football Club in a battle with former co-owner Don Crosbie on Thursday in the Royal Courts of Justice.

But with no club secretary, no infrastructure and little time to reform a club torn to pieces after 18 months of infighting, Mr Betteridge abandoned plans to try to get his new club, Ashford Town (Kent), playing football this season.

He said: "If we were to play football on Saturday then the chaos that would result would be too great.

"If the club is in turmoil then everything on the pitch would be in turmoil. It’s better to start right than in chaos and my intentions are to get this club on a proper footing."

Mr Crosbie had petitioned to have Ashford placed into administration, because of spiralling debts and that went through on Thursday. Both men were then asked by the judge to submit sealed bids and it was Mr Betteridge who was subsequently handed control of Ashford’s assets.

Ashford Town FC are now no longer and are being run by administrators. They will use monies from Mr Betteridge’s bid to pay off creditors.

The 59-year-old posted a statement on the club’s official website.

He said: "I sincerely apologise to you all for not being able to stage the football we all want to see but I truly believe that the long-term future of our new club must not be jeopardised for a quick fix."

Mr Betteridge insisted, however: "I honestly believe we will be playing football next season."