By Joe Harbert

Ashford United’s new signing Aaron Condon believes he can play a huge part in the team’s title challenge this season, after his man-of-the-match performance against East Grinstead on Saturday.

The 29-year-old, who only signed for the Nuts & Bolts on Thursday from Thurrock side Aveley, registered an assist and scored less than five minutes into his debut during the club’s 3-1 victory.

“I really enjoyed the game on Saturday, to score on my debut was a great feeling,” he said.

“As soon as I get myself completely match fit, I know I can be a big asset to this team and help them win games at this level.

“Playing anywhere along the front line is where I’m at my best, and in and around the box I’ve got a good record of converting chances into goals.

“The boys have also been great and I really enjoyed cleaning the changing rooms on Saturday as part of new boy duty!”

Condon started his career at FC Clacton in 2006 as a 16-year-old, becoming the club’s highest ever scorer 10 years later with 103 goals.

He then followed up this form with an equally impressive spell for fellow Essex side Brightlingsea Regent, where he hit the net mare than 50 times for a team he also helped win the Isthmian North Division with in 2017.

After brief stints at the likes of Hastings United and most recently Aveley, Condon joins Ashford hoping to add further fire power to a team that have already notched 14 goals in just five Isthmian South East games so far.

He added: “I decided to join Ashford after a month at Aveley because geographically it made sense, and after speaking to Tommy (Warrilow), it became clear it would be a good move.

“Distance was a big issue for me there and it was having an effect on my performances, so when Ashford called I was very interested.”

He continued: “I spent the majority of the last three seasons at Brightlingsea and thoroughly enjoyed my time there.

“I scored plenty of goals and won the Step Four North title comfortably, so I know what it takes to compete and succeed at this level.”

As he now looks to cement his place in boss Tommy Warrilow’s starting XI, Condon says his aims for United this campaign are simple.

“I hope to be on a promotion push with the boys this season – we have the team to do it so why not,” he said.

Manager Warrilow says the addition of new signing Condon will benefit the team on and off the field.

“He’s just a very good player, and an honest lad who seems like a perfect fit in our changing room.

"It was nice to turn up at the game with a new player who wasn’t known to the other team. Sometimes it makes a change for a player not to be announced on social media!”

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