In a follow up to last week’s interview, Sam Egerton-Wilson, fresh from another goal for the club, has raved about Ashton United being ‘without a doubt the best club he’s ever been at.’

This is high praise indeed for the Tameside club. As defender Wilson, has graced the field of Stockport County’s Edgeley Park and played for other well renowned non-league sides.

Wilson spoke of his great love for the club and said in a buoyant mood that Hurst Cross has renewed his faith in non-league football;

“Without doubt Ashton United is the best club and environment I have been involved in since playing non-league football. Something that might sound a cliché, but that’s my genuine feeling towards the club, and that’s no dig at any of my previous clubs which have all been good to me.

"I knew from about five past seven during my first seven o’clock training session that I had found the right place for me. At previous clubs training hard, giving your all for everyone involved at the club, from the manager and your teammates to the people paying to come through the gates to support the team, and the volunteers around the club, was a myth! Here it is embedded."

"I’ve never played for two more passionate and honest managers with a coaching staff as professional as Neil, Phil and Dave; and a group of players as hungry and determined for success as this group, not to mention the togetherness and unity amongst the group. Before joining Ashton I felt like my expectations of non-league football were too high, and maybe it was me who had to change my ways. This club and those people I have mentioned have so gladly proved me wrong."

"I was in disbelief after my first game when I got on the coach after a hard thought 3-1 win at Frickley to see the lads who hadn’t been selected in the 16 man squad as jubilant from the victory as the lads who had played in the game, and not sat at the back of the bus playing the ‘pundit’ slagging off players competing for their shirt or the manager’s selection. This togetherness was also something I believed had left the game."

"The family feel is second to none at Hurst Cross. The manager’s son’s in the dressing room and traveling on the coach, Sambo the kit man (legend) and the young boys who volunteer as ball boys (especially the one I send to the shop for me each week to get me some sweets) are amazing, and so too are Jackie and the rest of the board members and committee. At Ashton we come as the whole package!"

"I don’t think I could have asked to play alongside a better defensive unit, including Greg, Haslam, and I’ll include Ash Young in that, whose work doesn’t go un-noticed by the lads at the back for his tireless work in front of us!”