A restructured management set-up can only be good for Ashford Town, according to the club’s academy boss Mark Patterson.

Patterson will now have a big involvement in first team affairs for next season after being handed the assistant manager title.

Patterson, who recently left his role as Gillingham youth team manager, is keen that the first team works in tandem with the club’s youth.

He said: "I’m looking forward to working with Steve (Lovell, manager) next season and Lee Ealham (reserve team manager) is also going to be involved.

"It’s important that there is a link to the youth team section.

"The first team and the under-18s, especially, don’t want to be run as two separate entities. The first team manager needs to know what these players are like."

The management team are currently looking at new recruits for next season.

"We’ve been tentatively approaching people but there is nothing concrete yet," said Patterson.

"Most people are in the same situation and we’re just putting the feelers out."

Ashford’s pre-season programme is also being looked at with a visit from Conference South side Welling being planned as well as a game against Deal.