The Tangerines move quickly to appoint their new manager.

The Club is delighted to announce that Luke Tuffs has been appointed as our new first team manager. Luke will replace Russell Canderton who, after stepping down this week, will be joining the Board as a club director. Everyone at Ashford is extremely happy that Russell is staying at the club where he made close to 700 appearances.

Luke comes to Ashford from Knaphill where it was very likely he would have steered the Knappers to 2nd place in the Combined Counties Premier Division had the season not been expunged. Before that he was heavily involved in the phenomenal rise of Hartley Wintney to Step 3.

Chairman Nick Bailey said “As soon as we found out that Luke was stepping down at Knaphill, we made contact as he is an exceptionally able and astute young manager, with excellent contacts, who would undoubtedly be in great demand. We are delighted that he has chosen to come to Short Lane and we cannot wait for football to return, with Luke already planning for the future”.

When asked about his appointment Luke added ‘I’m very excited to have been given an opportunity such as this at a club of Ashford’s stature. This is a wonderful club full of good footballing people, that I know I’m going to enjoy working with. There are big plans here for the future and I can’t wait to be a part of that and together bring success to this club. I look forward to meeting everyone at the club when it is safe to do so!”.

Luke’s coaching background

UEFA B Licence and FA Youth Award

Knaphill FC – First Team Manager (2019-2020)

Hartley Wintney FC – First Team Coach & U18 Manager (2015-2019)
• Champions of Combined Counties Premier (Step 5) (2015/16 & 2016/17)
• Gained promotion to Step 3 for the first time in the club’s history
• FA Cup run (3rd Qualifying Round)
• Club record FA Vase Run (5th Round proper) (2015/16)
• Winners Hampshire Senior Midweek Youth Cup (2016/2017)

Academy Manager at Pulse Premier Football (Chertsey) (2016-2019)

Welcome to the RPS Luke!