Ashby left Kettering as a player in 1979

Kettering Town have recruited record appearance holder Roger Ashby to the coaching staff.

He made 662 appearances and scored 96 goals during his career with the Poppies and was later manager at the newly formed Rushden & Diamonds.

Ashby told BBC Radio Northampton: "Kettering Town has been a major part of my life, and going back to assist Marcus Law is icing on the cake.

"He's new to the level of football and he can use my experience positively."

Kettering Town have veteran striker Paul Furlong as a player-coach assisting manager Law at present, whilst player-coach Tommy Jaszczun recently left the club after turning down terms including a wage cut.

"It'll be a part-time role for me," said Ashby.

Kettering were one club that I was desperate to manage but it never happened Roger Ashby

"I've got my own business but I'll spend quite a lot of time at the football club.

"I've got a wealth of knowledge in football, and I'm there to be Marcus' back-up."

Ashby has managed eight clubs, mainly in Northamptonshire, including Irthlingborough Diamonds and Rushden Town prior to the merger, as well as Brackley Town, Bedford Town and Nuneaton Borough.

"Kettering were one club that I was desperate to manage but it never happened, and I never got to manage my favourite club in the countym" he said.

606: DEBATE Is Roger Ashby the man to help Poppies boss Marcus Law achieve success at the club? JonW_BBC_Northants

Ashby - who played in the 1979 FA Trophy final loss to Stafford Rangers - says he is looking forward to being involved at Rockingham Road once again.

"It'll be a challenge. What's happened in the past is gone," he said.

Warwick University's deputy director of physical education James Ellis has also joined the backroom staff at Kettering Town.

He worked with Roger Ashby at Nuneaton and is previously the head coach for the England Universities and Men's Futsal Team of Great Britain.

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