Prospective owner Lloyd Hume has praised Danny Kedwell’s impact as Ashford manager.

Kedwell was named as Kevin Watson’s successor at Homelands in May.

The former Gillingham striker has made a number of impressive signings, with a blend of youth and experience.

Hume, who’s closing in on a takeover in a 50:50 deal with business partner Dave Warr, has known Kedwell for years.

“I wanted a manager that I knew and trusted,” said Hume.

“Someone I knew could get the job done the way I wanted it done in terms of building a team and a club and a bit of a spirit, as opposed to players being there for the money.

“Danny Kedwell’s done an amazing job already.

“He’s a great guy - everyone likes him.

“I’ve known him since he was 16 and he was the perfect fit for me, and I think I’ll be a good fit for him in his journey.

“As long as we can keep Danny, we’ll be delighted to have him.

“He’s signed some really good players and we’ve got some exciting youth players coming through as well.”

Hume and Warr have a six-year plan to reach National League South once their takeover is ratified by the FA.

There’s no pressure on Kedwell to achieve the first of the two promotions required this season.

“The remit isn’t promotion this year,” said Hume.

“The remit from us, without putting too much pressure on Danny, is the last game of the season we have to have something to play for.

“If we do that we’ve built a stronger club than we’ve picked up, and certainly the year after we want to go for promotion.

“I’m not saying I don’t want to get promoted this year but that isn’t a target and we aren’t putting that pressure on the management team or the players.

“The most important thing at the moment is to build a club that everyone’s proud of and wants to visit and wants to be at, and that’s players, supporters and volunteers, right the way through the club.”

Kedwell saw fatigue in his players as Ashford lost 2-0 to Folkestone in a pre-season friendly at Homelands on Saturday.

He was delighted with United’s performance in a goalless first half but a busy schedule caught up with them after the break.

It was no surprise after a fourth game in eight days, particularly against higher-division Isthmian Premier opponents.

“We were very good in the first half,” said Kedwell, whose side were back in action after a 4-1 win over Glebe on Thursday night.

“I thought we were magnificent but it’s levels, isn’t it?

“They play a league up and they’re bringing on very experienced, good players after 60 minutes and we looked tired.

“We looked very fatigued from all the games we’ve had - mentally rather than physically - and you could see that in the last 30 minutes.

“I expected that. That’s what pre-season is all about and I did tell the lads that as well.

“Touch wood, we haven’t had any injuries. It’s just fatigue from the amount of games we’ve had but the lads prefer it.

“They prefer playing games rather than me running them in training, which is good because you get match fitness.”

Back-to-back games over the weekend will test Ashford’s squad, with the Nuts & Bolts adding a friendly at Dartford on Saturday.

That’s followed by Kennington at home on Sunday (both 1pm).

They needed a friendly on grass with their scheduled friendly at Dover on August 3 cancelled due to the Nuts & Bolts’ FA Cup extra preliminary round commitments against Egham Town.

“I’m not sure how I’m going to play it with the squad yet,” said Kedwell, whose side lost 2-1 at Hollands & Blair on Tuesday night.

“We might tap into some of the trialists and 23s.

“The thing is we needed a game on grass with Dover being off.

“We can’t play all our friendlies on 3G.

“I had to get a grass game in before the season started and this was the only available day.

“I know Ady Pennock (Dartford boss) well and he rang me and said he had a free date, so I took it.

“We need to be able to play on grass and mix up our game.”

The Nuts & Bolts host Maidstone on Tuesday (7.45pm).