KCFA rubber stamp Ashford United's affiliation

ASHFORD UNITED has been chosen as the new name for the town’s premier football club, writes Jack Wilson.

Officials were forced to drop the Town from their title in order to get affiliated with the Kent County Football Association and after lengthy consideration, committee members have voted to become Ashford United.

The name takes the club back to its roots when it was named Ashford United in 1891.

Now, 120 years later, Ashford United has been reborn and owner Tony Betteridge is delighted.

“We’re United by name and hopefully by nature. We want everyone to get behind this football club and what better way to do it than being united,” Mr Betteridge told www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk yesterday.

“We didn’t want to change our name at all but to be able to play again we had to.

“There were several names that wouldn’t have been accepted by the KCFA but this one has been and we’re thrilled.

“We are now affiliated with the KCFA and are ready to make the next steps ahead of the new season.

“We want to make the logo reflect the history that name has.

“And we’ll be playing in green and white – don’t worry about that!”

Chairman Ernie Warren believed the United name was one that just felt right.

“We’re united – it’s what we are. We used to be Ashford United and now we are Ashford United again.” Warren said.

“It takes the club back to its early days and that can only be a good thing.”

Meanwhile, Mr Betteridge has praised friend Paul Bowden-Brown for his help in getting football in Ashford back on the map.

Mr Bowden-Brown has more than 25 years of experience in the non league game – including holding the position of owner and chairman of Maidstone United – and has helped Betteridge in renaming and affiliating the club.

He will now become managing director of Homelands Enterprises, the football club’s holding company and as Mr Betteridge explained, he has been pivotal in preparing the club for next season’s rebirth.

“I’d like to thank Paul for all his help. He’s a great person to be involved with as he is so experienced in the non league game,” he said.

“He’s a real asset and without him it would have certainly been a lot harder.

“He’s done a lot of work and it is greatly appreciated by us all.”

Meanwhile, according to Tommy Sampson at Herne Bay yesterday, former Ashford Town manager Steve Lovell has been appointed under 17 coach at Charlton Athletic.

Article courtesy of www.ashfordtownfc.co.uk