New signing Jay May has been tipped to make a big impact on and off the pitch at Ashford United.

The former Maidstone and Tonbridge centre-forward offers the Nuts & Bolts a different option up front and will help bring other players into the game.

But equally important to boss Tommy Warrilow is how May will help grow the culture he's trying to create at Homelands.

The pair worked together at Tonbridge, where team spirit was the key ingredient to building a promotion-winning side.

Warrilow said: "Everyone knows that’s a great signing. We’re delighted to get him in and he’ll only make the squad stronger.

"We’re getting balls in the box and Jay will flourish. It’s nice to work with that target man again.

"We take our football seriously but we never take ourselves seriously.

"You’ve got to be approachable and if you’re giving a bit of stick, you’ve got to take it back.

"When the game starts and when we train, I demand and all the players demand the best from each other.

"Once the game’s finished, we’re all in it together and that’s the atmosphere I’ve had around the clubs I’ve been at. There’s no blame culture.

"Any player that comes in has got to have a sense of humour. After the game, you go in the bar and talk to everyone, it’s done and you move on whether you win or lose.

"Just because you’re smiling or laughing, it doesn’t mean you’re not hurting - we’ve sorted it all out in the changing-room.

"At our level of football, it’s got to be like that. You can’t have too much seriousness after the game when everything’s done."

May (hamstring) is a doubt for Saturday's home game against Sevenoaks but could be involved at Sittingbourne on Tuesday.

Ashford, third in Bostik South East, have won four in a row without conceding, most recently 1-0 at Three Bridges last weekend.

Warrilow said: "John Coker and Mo Kamara were outstanding at the back and the full-backs were doing their defensive duties as well.

"Lee Hook deputised for (keeper) Sam Mott, who was away, and he was different gear for me considering he’s not played for ages.

"Defensively, we were very good. It sometimes goes unnoticed but they do contribute to the way we go forward.

"I know goals win games but clean sheets win you leagues. You can score nine goals and let 10 in but the more you keep a clean sheet, you’re not going to lose the game."