Former Ashford United boss Tommy Warrilow was happy to help out on Saturday after stepping into the Hythe dugout for a one-off occasion.

Manager Steve Watt was on holiday, assistant Darren Blackburn has left the club and experienced player Frannie Collin needed 90 minutes at Folkestone.

Warrilow got the call on Thursday to take the reins for the friendly, which ended in a 5-1 defeat.

He has been out of football since stepping down as Ashford boss at the end of last season after four years in charge.

Warrilow said: “Watty was on his holidays and asked if I would go and help Fran out because he wanted to play 90 minutes. I said ‘yes, of course’.

“They were playing Folkestone and I know Cugs [Neil Cugley] and everyone down there. I said it would be nice to go down and get some fresh air and help Fran out.

“They had their set-up, what they wanted to do, their minutes and it was a case of having someone on the sideline to help him out, do the subs as and when and have a little chat, just a one-off to help out.”

Warrilow is still keen to get back into management. At Ashford he reached two Play-off Finals in four years and his side were second when the 2019/20 Isthmian South East campaign was curtailed due to Covid.

He’s previously also managed at Tonbridge Angels, Cray Wanderers and Thamesmead.

“I want to get back into it 100%,” he said.

“I am a football man, I have been in it all my life. If something somewhere doesn’t work out at a club for someone else, then you put your name in the hat and see what happens.

“Saturday was purely a one-off. I probably wouldn’t have done it anywhere else, with the team they were playing and Steve and Fran are good lads. Frannie played for me.

“I spoke to the boys about the mistakes they made. I am not going to start jumping up and down and having a go, it’s pre-season, just little bits. The result wasn’t ideal but a few things were tried and that’s the most important thing.”

Collin’s chance to concentrate on his game with Warrilow in the dugout did the job. The experienced campaigner picked up the Hythe player-of-the-match award.

“He was one of the best players on the pitch,” said Warrilow. “He can still ping it about and he’ll probably be playing in goal next year, he’s getting deeper and deeper!

“He sat in midfield and still looks fit as anything.”

Warrilow’s summer has been a busy one, concentrating on getting a family-owned business up and running with his son, Josh.

Their product, Thank Collagen, is a hydrolysed collagen supplement, combining collagen with hyaluronic acid and 100% of your daily recommended intake of biotin, vitamin B3, B1, vitamin C and vitamin D that they say “can truly make a positive difference in people's lives”.

“The response has been overwhelming,“ said Warrilow.

“It’s a fantastic product that we know will grow year-on-year. We’ve had a lot of interest and while I’ve been out of football I could concentrate on that and try and get the name out there as much as possible.

“It’s something we are very proud of, and after three years of research and trials we are really excited about the future. It’s fantastic to see this get off the ground.

“Even though the work is continuing to grow, I am still hungry and very ambitious and want to get back into football management - but there are obviously football managers out there that are in the same boat, but I always remain positive I will be back in the game soon.”

Hythe were back in action last night (Tuesday) at Isthmian Premier Hastings United, a final pre-season match that finished 1-1.

Jake Embery’s 80th minute striker levelled the match after the home side scored late in the first half.

They kick off the Isthmian South East season at home to East Grinstead on August 12. Prior to that they are inviting fans to the club for a fans’ forum on Monday (August 7) for a chance to chat with chairman Gary Johnson and the manager before the start of the season. Doors are open at 6.30pm.