Ashford United manager Tommy Warrilow will never burn bridges in the transfer market

Tommy Warrilow’s approach in the transfer market has paid off again.

Gil Carvalho is the latest addition at Ashford United, making his debut in Saturday’s 1-0 Isthmian South East win over Cray Valley.

Not for the first time, it’s a player Warrilow missed out on previously who he’s managed to land further down the line.

In wideman Carvalho’s case, it’s third time lucky for the Nuts & Bolts boss, who never burns bridges.

“I put seven days in for Gil last year when he was at Haywards Heath and I tried to get him in the summer when he went to Hastings,” said Warrilow.

“It didn’t work out as he’d hoped at Hastings and we heard he’d left.

“There was competition to get him, which we expected, but we’ve been able to sign him and he’ll be an exciting player for us.

“Whatever happens, it’s most important you don’t fall out with players because you never know what might happen down the line.

“You let them do what they’ve got to do.

“It’s the same with Henry Muggeridge - he went to Lewes in the summer but then he became available and we got him in - and we were able to get Gary Lockyer back from Cray.”

Midfielder Muggeridge hit the ground running but is facing a spell out after it emerged he’d been playing with a broken bone in his foot.

It’s a blow for the Nuts & Bolts although Mikey Dalton, another recent signing, had an outstanding debut in a midfield three alongside Rob Saunders and Omarr Lawson in the win over Cray Valley.

“We’ve just got to be patient with Henry,” said Warrilow.

“He’s someone I saw as a long-term signing for this year and next year because if we get up, he’s one who can play higher.

“His foot’s in a boot now. It turned out he did it in his first game for us.

“He had a bit of discomfort and wasn’t sure what it