Ashford United sign midfielder Harrison Pont from Dover Athletic as boss Lloyd Hume pushes to confirm more players for next season

Ashford have signed Harrison Pont from Isthmian Premier play-off contenders Dover.

Pont, who plays in midfield or defence, has dropped a level to join the Nuts & Bolts in Isthmian South East.

And boss Lloyd Hume is delighted to land the former Gillingham youth-team player, who also counts Sittingbourne and Herne Bay among his former clubs.

“He’s a good player,” said Hume, whose side host Sevenoaks at Homelands this Saturday (3pm).

“He’s 24, he meets the criteria of giving us some energy in midfield.

“He can play CDM, he can play centre-half, he’s played over 30 games for Dover this year in the league above us.

“They’re in the top five, so at our level, with another year’s experience, we’d expect him to step up even more, so we’re delighted to get him on board.”

Hume is aiming to get another signing done before today’s (Thursday) transfer deadline.

He could also confirm a couple of new deals for members of the existing squad.

The manager is keen to get his business done early as Ashford aim to hit the ground running for a promotion push next season.

But he also knows it’s a balancing act when committing to players without knowing who might be available over the summer.

“It’s a real knife-edge,” said Hume.

“How many do you sign on contract, or how many do you commit to for next year and all of a sudden a superstar becomes available and you’re already over-committed? We’ve got to have the right balance.

“I’d like to be committed to between 10 and 12 people, knowing there’s still five opportunities for people currently in the squad but also for us to potentially get even stronger by seeing what becomes available.”

Ashford twice came from a goal down to draw 2-2 at relegation-threatened Phoenix Sports last weekend.

Kane Penn