Danny Lye: I very much enjoyed the weekends with the kids but have had an ever-growing itch to get back in the game

FORMER Ashford United’s title winning manager Danny Lye says he is looking to return to football management next season.

Lye guided the Nuts & Bolts to the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division title in April 2017, seeing off the financial power of their nearest challengers Crowborough Athletic in an exciting two-horse title race.


Former Ashford United manager Danny Lye says he is itching to return to football management, either as a manger or number two.
Photo: Ashford United FC

Ashford United also twice reached the Kent Senior Trophy Final, losing on penalties to Sheppey United, following a 0-0 draw, before going one better the following season and beating Cray Valley (Paper Mills) 2-1.

However, Lye parted company with the Homelands outfit just two games in to the Isthmian League Division One South season, having lost 1-0 to Carshalton Athletic and 5-0 to South Park.

Since then, Lye took over the reins of Kings Hill – guiding the club to tenth-place in the Andreas Carter Kent County League Premier Division table  with three games remaining – having taken over from Simon Austin and Kane Rice who successfully kept Snodland Town in the Southern Counties East Football League First Division.

Lye says he is keen to return to a higher level of football having got his hunger back for football management following his spell at Kings Hill.

“I had a bit of time away from football for the first time in 30 years since leaving Ashford United,” said Lye.

“I very much enjoyed the weekends with the kids but have had an ever-growing itch to get back in the game.

“I have watched a fair few games over the past two years and have also just finished helping my local team out Kings Hill, who had the manager and whole team walk out on them just before Christmas.

“I offered to help out until the end of the season to ensure the team continued next season.

“It was then when I realised how much I have been missing it and want to get back at it in either a manager’s position or a number two role.

“I currently have a couple of offers on the table but want to wait to see what comes up over the next few weeks before making a decision.”