Danny Lye will enjoy Ashford United's Southern Counties East League Premier Division title celebrations, but is already planning ahead - and wants to be a force in Ryman League Division 1 South.

Shaun Welford's second successive hat-trick in the 7-0 win over Rochester United at Homelands, took him to 48 for the season - breaking Stuart Zanone's club record, as United finished on 92 points, two ahead of rivals Crowborough who drew 0-0 at Hollands & Blair in their final game.

Substitute Ryan Palmer scored twice with Dan Stubbs and Jason Goodchild netting the others.

Boss Lye has agreed a two-year contract extension after seeking assurances from the club about the future, and revealed he has received interest from other Ryman teams.

"He said: "I wanted to know answers to things.

"I was surprised because I got quite a lot of offers from clubs in the Premier and South, coaching and management roles, which turned my head, and made me think, hold on, I haven't been offered a new deal at Ashford yet.

"We needed to sit down and establish what the budget in this (SCEFL) league, or Ryman South would be and what our ambitions are, and I have been really hounding the board a little bit, because it was fundamental to me as the manager.

He added: "I am not in football to scrape above relegation, that's not me.

"I want to win things, and they have shown the commitment by giving me two years which has enabled me to get players already - Rory Hill and George Kamurasi have signed, Dave Botterill has committed, so has Shaun Welford, and others will follow.

"We need to bring in three or four and swop a couple to improve - but that is natural at any club."

Meanwhile Welford says breaking the club's goal scoring record has made him delay plans about retirement.

Welford also finished joint-leading league marksman with Warren Mfula of AFC Croydon Athletic.

"How can I give up after scoring 48 goals? he said.

"I have said for the last three of four this could be my last, but I keeping scoring, and surprising myself.

"I haven't got the legs now, and I have started to have to use my head a bit more, and found out I am quite intelligent on the pitch.

"I have been in the right place at the right time to score 48, and I will give it another go next year."