JAMIE Ashdown is looking to produce a first-class service on and off the football pitch, writes Dave Wright.

He is the goalkeepers' coach at Ascot United, filling an important role on the backroom staff of a club enjoying a particularly successful season in the Hellenic League, and he also runs a successful goalkeepers academy which is currently based at Charters School, Sunningdale.

When not working for the Yellaman, the former Football League player can be seen making coffee at the Brewpoint cafe he runs at the Basepoint Business Centre in Camberley.

And he is expecting to be busier than ever in 2019.

United will be bringing all of their many sides – senior and juniors – together when the new all-weather pitch is installed at the Racecourse Ground and this will enable Ashdown to coach even more aspiring goalies.

His cafe is also flourishing and he is looking to expand by moving to larger premises.

So the future is certainly looking healthy for the keeper, who played professionally for several clubs, including Reading, Portsmouth and Leeds United.

"Yes, I'm enjoying life these days," said the 38-year-old Ashdown.

"Ascot are on a good run, near the top of the league, with (goalie) Lee Allen having kept a good number of clean sheets recently.

"From his and the team's point of view, things are coming together and we are looking to build on that.

"He has two young boys under him – Joe White and Sam Hayes – and we are looking to build them up playing in the Under 18s and U23s and, if needed, hopefully, they will be ready to go in the first team.

"The club are massive at the grassroots level. There must be 60 or 70 goalkeepers here and I have 20 of them in my academy, which is good. We will be starting up the next courses in January.

"Hopefully there will be more once the new Astro goes down and we will have a designated area for goalkeepers.

"I am putting together a programme for every single goalkeeper here at the club and plan to put more time and effort into such a unique position."

He added: "I am also pleased with the way thing are going at my cafe. We are looking to move to larger premises and that will mean having more staff."

One way and another, the new year is certainly going to get busier and busier for Reading-born Ashdown.