Ashford United had a result off the pitch this week - now they must do the business on it.

The Nuts & Bolts learned on Monday their application for the redevelopment of Homelands had been successful.

A multi-million-pound transformation is on the cards, much to the delight of everyone associated with the club.

It’s good news in what’s been an up-and-down campaign as they bid to win promotion from Isthmian South East.

They’re a point outside the play-offs, in seventh, going into their home game against second-placed Chatham this Saturday (3pm).

Victory would be the perfect way to end a big week for the Nuts & Bolts.

“It’s great news about the ground,” said manager Tommy Warrilow. “I’ve seen all the drawings and it looks fantastic.

“I hope it reignites the town and the football club.

“It needs to be a hub for the community. People say Homelands is too far from the town, but it’s not.

“People who support Spurs and Chelsea, they don’t live there. They get buses and trains and tubes to the ground.

“Ashford’s a growing town and it’s got everything going for it.

“That’s why it’s important this year that after two play-off finals we try and get ourselves out of this league.

“That’s still the target. The obstacles we’ve had this season are irrelevant.

“It’s just been one of those seasons but we’re still in and around it and we’ll fight to the very end.

“We’ve had good news off the pitch, which is nice, because there’s not been enough to smile about on the pitch.

“We’ve been good, bad and average but our end goal remains the same.”

With Ashford’s game at Whitehawk postponed due to a frozen pitch, Warrilow went to watch Chatham’s 3-0 victory over promotion rivals Beckenham last Saturday.

Chats are still to drop a point at home but have won only twice on the road. Warrilow is reading nothing into their away record, however.

“I’m sure they don’t do anything different away from home, it’s just one of those frustrating things for a manager that you can’t put your finger on,” he said.

“I’d certainly swap places with them at the moment.

“I don’t know why they don’t win as many games away. It’s something I’m sure they’ll be working on but we’re just looking at getting a bit of stability and hopefully the consistency will come with that.

“There’s still a long way to go and a lot of points to play for.”

Warrilow was set for talks with a number of transfer targets this week as he looks to replace the four players who left Homelands a fortnight ago, while Gil Carvalho joined Ramsgate yesterday.

One new face is teenager Beau Cook-Bartholomew, who came to Ashford via midfielder Henry Muggeridge’s academy.

He’s in the mould of former Nuts & Bolts midfielder/forward Tommie Fagg.

“Beau’s been training with us for the past couple of weeks,” said Warrilow. “He’s only 17 but he’s 6ft3in and he’s looked good.

“He was going to be my third outfield sub at Whitehawk if that game had gone ahead because we only had two and a young keeper.

“He’s a good size. He reminds me of Faggy. He’s that sort of build and you can see he’s going to fill out.

“He’s signed a form here and it’s a bit of experience for him.

“It’s worked out for him that we’re low on numbers. We’ll see how he does but he’s not looked out of place in the sessions he’s had with us.”