New Ashford United coach Tommy Osborne feels they can get a good couple of years out of latest signing Ian Draycott.

Draycott has joined the Nuts & Bolts after nine years at Folkestone, where 150 goals in 361 appearances made him the club’s record scorer.

He’s just turned 35 but the former Maidstone forward remains a class act and can be a big influence at Homelands.

Osborne played with Draycott at Maidstone, winning promotion via the Isthmian South East play-offs together a decade ago.

“Draycs left Maidstone and went on and did fantastically at Folkestone, and he’s still going now,” said Osborne, who joined Kevin Watson’s management team last week after leaving Cray Valley.

“All credit to him and hopefully he can have another couple of seasons as well, with a bit of luck.

“It’s funny because I hadn’t seen him for a long time and then we played in Alex Flisher’s testimonial at Maidstone, when I was still Cray manager.

“When I agreed to go to Ashford last last week, they had pretty much done the deal for Draycs. It wasn’t quite over the line but it was on the cards.

“So I didn’t see him for all that time, then I saw him at the testimonial and now I’m going to be involved in the same squad as him.

“It’s funny how football works sometimes.

“He hasn’t got an ounce of fat on him. If you look after yourself, nowadays you can play into mid-30s.

“Draycs has got to look for another couple of seasons.

“It does get harder, there’s no doubt about it, but it can be done.

“When you’re younger, you play 40-plus games.

“When you get to your mid-30s, it might be more like 25 games, or just over, but I still think you can have a positive impact.”

Draycott also offers Ashford an option in midfield, having been used in a deeper role at times in his latter years at Folkestone.

Osborne added: “When I spoke to Kev and Flan (Adam Flanagan, assistant manager) they still see him in a No.10 role, playing behind the striker, either centrally or slightly wide, but still in that role.

“But Drays has got an eye for a pass, he’s very calm and his decision-making on the ball is very good, so I’ve no doubt if during the season we wanted him to play a bit deeper, he could do that.

“He’s got a very good football brain. If he were to play higher and end up deeper, or vice-versa, I think he’d be fine with that.

“Frannie Collin is a prime example of that. Frannie started as a striker, then he was probably behind the striker and now at the back end of his career he’s playing as a holding midfielder at Hythe.

“That’s something I’ve no doubt Draycs could do if he was asked.”

Osborne spent nine years at Cray Valley, including five as player-coach and assistant manager under Watson.

He took charge midway through last season after Watson joined Herne Bay, narrowly missing out on the Isthmian South East play-offs.

When the Millers decided to make a change, appointing ex-Tonbridge manager Steve McKimm, Watson offered Osborne a role at Ashford.

He’s also good friends with Adam Flanagan, having played with him at Hastings and Dartford.

“I know them both really well, so when I met the pair of them it was quite an easy decision to go and join them,” said Osborne.

“I’m quite privileged they asked me. A little stumbling block was the travelling but I can work it between my job and getting down to Ashford.

“It’s a new challenge after nine years at Cray Valley and I’m looking forward to working with Kev and Flan. I’m quite excited.”