Ashford United co-owner Lloyd Hume set to stay on as manager next season while naming his ideal successors at Homelands

Co-owner Lloyd Hume is ready to stay on as Ashford United manager next season.

Hume initially took the reins until the end of the season following Danny Kedwell’s departure in January.

It was something of a reluctant return to the dugout for the former Maidstone boss at the time.

But it’s increasingly made sense to remain in charge, particularly with all the hard work going on behind the scenes to prepare for an Isthmian South East promotion push.

He’s been encouraged to do so by director of football Alan Walker, among others, and players have been asking for clarity during contract talks.

Hume is dedicating countless hours to his commitments as co-owner and manager, missing a family holiday to Australia this week.

But it will be worth it to bring success to the club.

“We’re building a squad, we’re building a team and everyone who comes can generally see we’re going in the right direction,” said Hume.

“I’m getting more pressure from a lot of experienced people around me, like Alan Walker, saying we’re not going to find someone better than you to be the manager right now.

“I’m not doing it reluctantly now, the reluctance is the amount of time and commitment it takes.

“If I do anything, I do it 110%, so I’m putting 25 hours a day into it at the moment.

“I’ve gone from retiring, if you like, into running a football club into managing a football team, and there aren’t enough hours in the day.

“Last week I spent five hours in hotels meeting players and I’m meeting more this week.

“I’m constantly on to players because I know the most important thing that we’re going to do is recruit the right individuals so we go into pre-season with a very strong squad, not as a new squad with the excuse it takes time to gel.

“We haven’t got