Former Ashford United boss Tommy Warrilow helps out Hythe Town at the weekend; The Cannons end pre-season with a 1-1 draw against Hastings United on Tuesday

Former Ashford United boss Tommy Warrilow was happy to help out on Saturday after stepping into the Hythe dugout for a one-off occasion.

Manager Steve Watt was on holiday, assistant Darren Blackburn has left the club and experienced player Frannie Collin needed 90 minutes at Folkestone.

Warrilow got the call on Thursday to take the reins for the friendly, which ended in a 5-1 defeat.

He has been out of football since stepping down as Ashford boss at the end of last season after four years in charge.

Warrilow said: “Watty was on his holidays and asked if I would go and help Fran out because he wanted to play 90 minutes. I said ‘yes, of course’.

“They were playing Folkestone and I know Cugs [Neil Cugley] and everyone down there. I said it would be nice to go down and get some fresh air and help Fran out.

“They had their set-up, what they wanted to do, their minutes and it was a case of having someone on the sideline to help him out, do the subs as and when and have a little chat, just a one-off to help out.”

Warrilow is still keen to get back into management. At Ashford he reached two Play-off Finals in four years and his side were second when the 2019/20 Isthmian South East campaign was curtailed due to Covid.

He’s previously also managed at Tonbridge Angels, Cray Wanderers and Thamesmead.

“I want to get back into it 100%,” he said.

“I am a football man, I have been in it all my life. If something somewhere doesn’t work out at a club for someone else, then you put your name in the hat and see what happens.

“Saturday was purely a one-off. I probably wouldn’t have done it anywhere else, with the team they were playing and Steve and Fran are good lads. Frannie played for me.

“I spoke to the boys about the mistakes they made.