Longridge Town boss puts plans in place for next season

Last month saw confirmation that the seasons at steps three to six – including North West Counties Football League pair Longridge Town and Garstang – would be over subject to FA Council approval.

It ends the state of limbo which had existed since the NWCFL took the decision to suspend their season at the end of December.

It means clubs can put plans in place for the 2021/22 season – specifically squad retention, training schedules and pre-season friendlies.

“I’m speaking to the players and, hopefully, they will come back for next season,” Ashcroft said.

“I’m going to be busy in the next two weeks with organising friendlies and everything like that.

“If the fans will be allowed back into games then we will be getting a lot of home friendlies.

“People perhaps don’t realise what goes on behind the scenes and how much effort goes in.

“We work really hard, not only during the season but in the summer as well. We try and do everything as professionally as we can.

“We spend hours sorting stuff out and, now, at least we know what we can do.”

There is even more emphasis for Town given the club celebrates the 25th anniversary in its current guise this year.

The hope is a suitably high profile friendly can be arranged but, for now, Ashcroft’s attention is on a fortnight’s time when outdoor sport can resume ahead of the Heys Invitational Cup, starting in April.

Ashcroft said: “We’re back in training on the last Tuesday of the month if we’re allowed to and the guidelines remain in place.”

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