The chairman of the Safety Net Kent League has stated that they would welcome any approach from Ashford Town (Kent) to participate next season.

Time ran out for Ashford to play football this season, according to owner Tony Betteridge, and they must now seek FA approval before getting the green light to play at the same level for the 2011/12 season.

Chairman Denise Richmond (pictured) said: "We would support such an application but the FA would govern it and it would need to go via the FA Leagues Committee.

"We pushed for Faversham to come into the league (in 2005) and supported their application, and I am pretty sure we would try and do the same."

Since taking sole charge of the assets of the former Ashford Town FC, Mr Betteridge insisted that he was reluctant to enter the Kent League without a firm foundation in place.

The Kent League were more than willing to help Ashford play football this season.

Ms Richmond said: "We were trying to support their move to the Kent League and we were holding the fixtures back to give them a chance.

"But time got away from them and they still needed to resolve some issues and I am sure there are still things to be resolved."

The FA could yet place the newly-formed Ashford rock bottom, as Maidstone United were forced to do when they re-formed, playing County League Division 3 football.

A proposed new step 6 league, bridging the gap between the Kent League and the Kent County League, could also prove an option for Ashford.