Owner Don Crosbie is expecting a battle when Ashford United face Sheppey United in the Kent Reliance Senior Trophy Final.
Sunday’s Kent Reliance Kent Senior Trophy Final has thrown up an intriguing game between two County sides who have both in recent year’s experienced highs and lows as Ashford United play Sheppey United at the Gallagher Stadium for the first “senior” silverware of the domestic season.
In an exclusive interview with KSN Football, we spoke to the Ashford United owner Don Crosbie about the club’s “interesting” season that could still end with silverware…
Mr. Crosbie told us, “We have had a terrific season, firstly beginning the task of rebuilding our youth set up and also blooding some of our young hopefuls for the future of AUFC.”
“Off the field we have massive claims against what I consider opportunist greedy bloodsuckers. I can’t wait to get our plight in front of the Judge.”
“Our players are at AUFC because they have loyalty and tremendous respect for the club. We all admire and strive for true and honest commitment from our players who realise very quickly that with loyalty and dedication, our respect for them is returned with gratitude!”
Danny Lye goes into his first final as a manager on Sunday, and it was an appointment that Mr. Crosbie had no hesitation making.
“I have known Dan for many years since he was a young and tempestuous player. He has always shown enormous respect and loyalty to whatever club he plays for, providing he receives honesty and respect in return,” the Ashford owner said.
He continued, “I knew on appointing Dan, our team looked very dysfunctional, he was the man to organise and take us forward for the long term progression of AUFC.”
“You only have to listen to fans and players alike to appreciate his man management skills and never asks for anymore than he would commit to himself, he is a true leader and that is why we at AUFC have given Dan our long term support by a legal contractual commitment.”
Ashford of course reached the last eight of this season’s FA Carlsberg Vase – it was a run that brought some much needed good publicity for the club in the darker days of the season.
“We have had a great season and enjoyed the FA Vase run tremendously. We have proved our quality and abilities on the park and to reach the Quarter finals of the Vase and Final of this Trophy is testament to our worth this season.”
“On welcoming Sheppey United, I have utmost respect for Ernie Batten, my ex reserve team manager who himself is a fantastic football manager and has done a terrific job this season.”
“I’m sure it will be a tough battle and nothing will be taken for granted for this cup final; that said it will be great reward to win this time out after the terrible disappointment for our fans the season before last.”