Ashcroft: It's a sad day for me

With Ashcroft commuting from Lancashire to do the job of managing the side, along with most of the senior players at the squad, the former West Brom and Preston North End striker said he wanted to do his bit to help the Mintcakes’ financial situation, which formed the crux of his decision to resign as manager of the Black and Whites.

He said Monday was a ‘sad day’ for him as he tendered his resignation after eight years at the club, six of which was manager.

“In the years I’ve been there it has never crossed my mind to leave Kendal Town,” Ashcroft said.

“I had opportunities but I never applied for another job and still to this day haven’t.

“I’ve got to help the club and I could have stayed and not been able to do much but I’ve decided to go to help the committee.

“They (Kendal Town’s committee) will get it right and move on and Kendal Town football club be here for a long time after I've gone.”

Ashcroft reflected on his tenure with happiness and said he had made some ‘proper friends’ during his time at the Mintcakes.

Winning promotion to the Unibond Premier as a player and guiding Town to two playoff campaigns in his management were among the highlights of his Kendal Town career.

“It was fantastic to play under Tony Hesketh (former Kendal Town manager) who taught me so much as a manager when I first started and saving the club from relegation in my first season as manager was great.

“In the two playoffs we came really close to getting into the higher division.

“I have really enjoyed my time at Kendal, it has been fantastic and I’ve made some proper friends.

“Usually the longest I have stayed at a club was two years so the eight years I’ve been here shows how much I enjoyed it and I loved every second of life at Kendal Town.”

Ashcroft added that he wants to come back to Parkside Road to watch a game within the next few of weeks to say a formal goodbye to the players and fans at the club.