Former captain and manager makes permanent Mile End Stadium return ahead of 2017/18 campaign

Tower Hamlets have confirmed AJ Ashnike has returned to the Mile End Stadium club ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.

The former captain and manager has agreed a permanent return, having briefly come back at the end of last season.

Ashnike started off at Hamlets over 10 years ago – back in 2006 – and was part of the squad which earned promotion to the Essex Senior League.

The powerful defender helped the club claim a double in 2010, as they won both the League Cup and Gordon Brasted Memorial Trophy.

After leaving in 2012, Ashnike returned the following year and was made manager of the Mile End club.

Under the guidance of the player-manager, Hamlets were able to come fourth during the 2013/14 campaign.

Ashnike departed the club in 2015 and Ade Abayomi took over with a young squad, but the former boss and captain is now back for good.

A statement read: “Tower Hamlets are delighted to welcome back AJ Ashnike into the senior team management.”

Ashnike is expected to work alongside Abayomi having turned out for the Mile End club at the end of last season.

His return is a major boost for Hamlets, after they struggling for large periods of the 2016/17 campaign.