Ashford manager Tommy Warrilow believes the club must make the most of a growing population.

The Nuts & Bolts boss has long seen the potential at Homelands and if they can tap into new supporters, it will only help their cause.

“I played for Ashford 26 years ago, or whatever it is, and we were getting good gates then of 800, a thousand,” said Warrilow.

“With all the houses that have gone up since then, I don’t know why the club hasn’t pushed on.

“Two seasons ago we were in the play-off final and last season we were second and the crowds were beginning to come back.

“If we keep doing that and getting our name out there in the area, the potential is there to build on.

“Off the top of my head I would say we have the best ground in the league and Ashford’s a growing town, so everything’s there.

“I’m not just saying it, the potential is there to go a long way.

“There’s no reason why the club can’t go to the top tier in non-league.”

For Ashford to grow, the club’s work off the field is just as vital as their progress on it.

Warrilow added: “The most important thing is the infrastructure. We’ve got to grow off the pitch - I said the same thing when I was at Tonbridge.

"It’s all right going up but one of your most important signings is a commercial manager because if you don’t grow off the pitch, it’s hard to grow on it.

“You can get to a certain level but you don’t want to stand still.

“Our aim is to get of Isthmian South East.

"There’s no point looking further ahead than that at the moment but the potential is there and it would be nice for the town to get recognised.

“If you start going through the pyramid, it does attract attention.”

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