Further to the club statement issued earlier today, Mark Butler has contacted the Official Website to expand on his departure from the club.

The departing manager said:  "It's taken a massive amount of deliberation for me to make this decision.  I love Ashford Town and we've had five great years.  The club is like a family and it was very difficult to leave."

Mark admitted that the Kent club had approached him some weeks ago and he had taken the significant travelling into account before making up his mind and that part of his heart will remain at Short Lane:  "I've got nothing but admiration for Bob Parker and I want to thank him and everyone at the club for their support.  The club gave the opportunity to manage in the first place and stood by me in difficult times a couple of years ago." 

"I think I'm leaving the club in a healthy, mid-table position and I'm sure the club will use this situation to emerge stronger for the future.  When my managerial career comes to an end, I'd like to come back to Ashford and give something back to the club by helping out in a different role."

Under Mark Butler's care, the club was runners-up in the Southern League South & West Division in 2005-06, winning promotion to the Ryman League Premier Division.  The club has consolidated at that level since, and also won the Westview Cup and Surrey Senior Cup, as well as reaching the Finals of the Aldershot Senior and Southern Combination Cups.