Ashford United manager Craig Stone says Freddie Francis wants to enjoy non-league football after joining on dual-registration from Folkestone | Teenager was recently on trial with Premier League club Ipswich Town

Highly-rated teenager Freddie Francis has joined Ashford - weeks after going on trial at Premier League Ipswich.

The Nuts & Bolts have struck a dual-registration agreement with parent club Folkestone for the 16-year-old striker.

Ashford boss Craig Stone understands there is still plenty of interest in Francis, a player he coached in the youth set-up at Gillingham.

But the youngster is in no hurry and sees value in developing his game at non-league level.

“There still is a lot of interest, I believe, but I don’t think he wants to do any of that at the minute. I think he just wants to play non-league football,” said Stone, who gave Francis his debut from the bench in a 2-0 home win over Steyning last weekend.

“He loves what he’s doing with Folkestone, and he’s come in with us and loved coming on and getting some minutes, and I think he just wants to do that.

“There’s still quite a few that have shown an interest and declared an interest.

“Some people say if the opportunity’s there, you’ve got to take it when it arises, but also I do believe if he’s playing every week he’ll find his level eventually.

“And if that’s a lot higher, I think he’s better off playing games, being seen, then he’s out there in the open for people, rather than potentially going into an academy and then maybe having to do the process again for another couple of years.

“He feels he wants to play men’s football and he’s got an opportunity to do that, and that’s the route he wants to go.

“Fair play to him. The clubs who have shown an interest, they’ll still be keen at 17/18, depending on how he develops.

“That’s down to him and his willingness and desire to be better and improve, whether that’s men’s football with us and Folkestone or whether that’s at