Returning to Ashford United ticked all the boxes for striker Gary Lockyer.
The busy dad-of-four wasn’t short of options after leaving Cray Wanderers this summer but moving closer to home was always a key factor - while the chance to get a bit closer to a club record was another.
Lockyer, 31, has eyes on Sean Welford’s 85-goal club record - he’s 38 away - and he’s hoping those goals give Ashford a chance to battle for promotion in the Isthmian South East this coming season, something he got close to in 2022.
Lockyer said: “It’s good to be back during this time of my career, towards the end, and it was the right decision for me this year.
“With the play-offs and missing out that year (losing in the final to Herne Bay in 2022), that still sits in the back of your mind.
“I was offered better terms to stay at Cray but it was very difficult with my children’s football and work and I was missing some training sessions. I wasn’t as committed as I could have been towards the end of the season.
“Myself and Neil (Smith, the manager) had a chat and I said I think it’s best to find something closer to home and he agreed. We had a good relationship, it’s a lovely club and there are great people there.
“I had multiple offers [this summer] and spoke to some really good managers and really good clubs but for me, what I could end [my career on] if I get Ashford up would be perfect and give the town something, with the new owners as well coming in, it all seems so positive.
“I played against (Ashford manager) Danny Kedwell last year and he’s a great bloke, same as Dean [Beckwith] the assistant. Kedwell plays my position and I could potentially learn a bit off him even at my age.
“Everything pointed to go[ing] back there. A lot of people probably thought I would go back with Tommy (Warrilow, at Faversham) and I spoke to him. He’s a lovely guy and I had a good time with him (at Ashford previously) but I felt it was right to go back to Ashford and finish there now, for as long as I am wanted.”
Lockyer got 15 goals and almost as many assists last season at Cray Wanderers but admitted he should have had more. During that 2021/22 season, when he switched from Kennington and Ashford, he got 37 goals. It’s the kind of total that will help him get nearer the club record.
Being closer to home will certainly help him on the pitch. The trip to and from south London wasn’t ideal with a busy home life, too, doing a bit of junior coaching, juggling his own kids’ football and alternating day and evening shifts as a telecoms engineer.
He said: “I was going to training in south London and then getting in my work van and sometimes going into north London to work until 6am and then having two hours’ sleep before taking the kids to school, or picking them up for their football.
“Having four young children is full-on and my young daughter is at Charlton at the minute, I have two boys who play football as well and my wife does a lot of the driving, but she is good, she’s a diamond.
“A lot of people don’t see behind the scenes and what you miss out on with the family.
“I have just had a few weeks to myself, doing a bit of fitness here and there, but this week I am starting to do a bit of running and getting back to the gym. This move is perfect for me and I am looking forward to it.”
Kedwell has also recently added centre-back Will Moses from Folkestone.
Kedwell said: “I played against Will last season and was very impressed. He’s a strong, calm, and composed player with good experience at this level.”
