New Ashford United signing Joe Ellul targeting seventh promotion of his career after joining from Isthmian South East champions Ramsgate

Defender Joe Ellul has set his sights on another promotion after joining Ashford United.

Ellul arrives at Homelands fresh from helping Ramsgate win the Isthmian South East championship.

That was the sixth promotion of his career and the 36-year-old said: “I want to make it seven now.”

Ellul, whose decorated CV also includes a National League South title medal at Maidstone three years ago, was ready for a new challenge after his success with the Rams.

And he’s found it at Ashford, where manager Lloyd Hume is looking to mount a promotion push.

“They’re a club with big plans but they’re not overdoing it,” said Ellul.

“I went with my wife and we sat and looked at the infrastructure and it felt right, as in it felt normal and natural to be at the ground.

“It wasn’t an easy decision, because of how much I love Ramsgate, but it felt like the right time.

“The aim is to win promotion again and get another title.”

Ellul had a couple of telephone conversations with Hume before meeting in person.

The club’s co-owner and manager made quite an impression.

“Lloyd is probably up there as one of the most decent human beings I’ve ever met,” said Ellul.

“He’s very similar to me as a person in that he says it as it is.

“I get in trouble quite often about being like that but he’s straight as an arrow and just a genuine human being.

“I know Craig Stone (assistant manager) from Ramsgate and through non-league and he’s the same, another normal person that you like being around.

“It’s very much like a family club. I think it’s going to feel like it did at Ramsgate, as in that natural vibe.”

Ellul is the warrior-type figure Hume has been looking for in central defence.

He’ll be a big presence, on and off the pitch, and he knows what it takes to