Ashford United boss Tommy Warrilow confirms experienced striker Jay May has retired as defender Ryan Sawyer joins the Nuts & Bolts from Corinthian

Jay May has hung up his boots, Ashford manager Tommy Warrilow has confirmed.

The striker had been contemplating retirement after weeks out with a calf injury.

He returned and scored the only goal in Ashford’s Isthmian South East play-off semi-final win over Cray Valley but couldn’t get the Nuts & Bolts promoted as they lost their play-off final 2-0 at home to Herne Bay.

May enjoyed his fair share of success during his non-league career, playing for Warrilow at Tonbridge before they were re-united at Ashford - but Warrilow now says May has "called it a day".

“I have known Jay ages,” said Warrilow. “I know his phone would have gone.

“He may find an agreement with someone where he does not have to train all the time. He may find a club where someone just says ‘Just play when you can’.

“But I wish him all the best and thank him for his time with the club.”

Ashford have signed defender Ryan Sawyer.

Sawyer helped guide league rivals Corinthian to an eighth-place finish in their first season at that level but he has now left to link up with the Nuts & Bolts.

“We watched him last year a couple of times and we, obviously, played against him,” Warrilow explained. “He is a solid defender.

“He is 28 and coming into his prime. He will really support our best back four, back five or back three - whatever we decide to go with.

“Corinthian did fantastically last year but a few of their players have been snapped up and I know a few others were looking at Ryan so we are delighted to have brought him in.”

Tashi-Jay Kwayie has signed for recently-relegated Phoenix Sports, Tommie Fagg has joined National League South Tonbridge, Jarred Trespaderne is re-joining Hythe and Jack Steventon has also left Homelands, also signing for Hythe.

But