Welcome back once again as we meet another incredible person from the world of Non-League Football.

This particular person has already featured on the website all the way back in 2024 when Fisher FC was featured in what was my 7th club on the site. Ajay who has managed the club on and off for over 7 years now has made a real impact at the club and has seen success in all forms, from tutoring players and helping them secure moves up the leagues to this season whereby the club are well in the play-off promotion chase.

Enough from me, let us dive in to find out more about Ajay and his journey so far!

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Name – Ajay Ashanike
Age – 37 years old
Favourite team – Fisher FC
Occupation – Area manager in retail
Thing I love about football – fans
My football pet hate – lateness

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What is your earliest memory of football?

Will have to be the 1999 season with Manchester United and Sir Alex era

What does football mean to you?

Football use to mean so much to me like everything but the older you get you get to see Football isn't everything but the people around the game is what matters

When growing up did you ever dream to become a football manager?

Honestly no. I didn't think the dugout was for me but here we are now. Growing up if you told me I will still be involved with Football I would have laughed and called you a big fat liar

What does your journey look like to be sitting in the dugout at Fisher FC, a seat you have taken on and off since 2019?

Means alot to be able to lead fisher the last few years. The fans and board been amazing to me and my family from the day I walked in and for that I have a duty of care to make sure I keep the standard high around the club

Fisher FC have developed a solid reputation for being somewhat of a talent pool, with numerous players who have worn the black and white going on and moving up the pyramid with other teams. How does this make you feel?

Proud. Always proud to give the platform for young Footballers to develop and show case their ability. Im fully focus to make sure we are looking for top young players in the south East London area

What do you put this ability to develop young players down to specifically?

Honestly the opportunity i didn't get as a young lad is what made me create this format. Both the club and players benefit from what have created and something im proud of. The club been good to us allowing us to use the club as a stepping stone for players and coaches to develop

You play your games at St Pauls Sports Ground, a ground which especially under the floodlights offers an incredible backdrop of the London city skyline - how special Is it playing your home games here?

Best backdrop in London I believe. Mid week when everywhere light up what a view to see.

This season you have seen success on the pitch and currently sit firmly in the mix for the play-offs, what do you put your current success down to?

Credit goes to the boys. They work really hard makes my job really easy. We are lucky to have every single one of them

The Play-offs are notoriously the best way to get promoted but are also difficult for any team to get over the line, how will you prepare your team to deal with this challenge?

We was there last season against VCD. For me as long as my boys play their football everything else we leave to God

 How much of an achievement would it be to gain promotion out of what is a very tough division?

I be honest promotion wasn't never in our plan last season or this season but as a group we just need to stay focus. Winning any cup is a great achievement so I know everyone single one of our fans will be proud of the boys whatever the outcome

What do you feel is the ceiling for the club or is there not one?

There's no ceiling for any club. Anyone can achieve everything they deserve. Before the season starts we all dont talk about losing football matches but we do talk about winning. So for me as long as you keep winning you can grow as a club

How much do you still love the work you do?

I enjoy it but not as much as I use to. From 3 years ago we took the game more seriously and thats showing with good results. You can't win and enjoy it. Once you start enjoying it and dancing after one win or two you lose focus on the task ahead. Once you achieve your goals then you can enjoy it. For now the pain and stress is not enjoyable

What is one thing you wish people understood about the work you do?

The job hard lol very hard. Takes alot of my time and with my young family the job becoming more and more harder. But dont really care for what people think or say as long as my club fans, players, board and my coaching team sees the value i inject week in week out im happy

Someone reading this interview who is interested in becoming a manager one day, what would your one piece of advice be to them?

Be yourself. Believe in the idea you have because that's why you became a manager.

Finally...Non-League football is the best because....

The fans are real. The people who works for free. The players that players for the joy and none of this VAR nonsense

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Thankyou to Ajay for his time, I wish him and the rest of the team the very best with the rest of the season , I would love to see them successful and gain promotion, I feel they deserve it and would be a massive reward for both the work Ajay has done with the squad as well as all of the backroom staff week in, week out. 

Until next time...!

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