As his second season with Brentford B approaches, forward Ashley Hay says he is hoping to become “more of a complete player” in the 2024/25 campaign.

The 21-year-old has come on in leaps and bounds since signing with the young Bees in September 2023, finishing last season as their equal top goalscorer with nine.

Now into his second pre-season at Robert Rowan Performance Centre, Hay is eyeing some specific parts of his game that he wants to work on ahead of a new season.

“I think I had an all right season. For myself, I would’ve liked to have scored more goals. Obviously you set yourself a certain standard,” said Hay.

“I know I want to get my hold-up play improved, I know I want to work on that as much as I can. I’m just trying to work on certain areas of my game to make sure I’m more of a complete player.”

Hay’s rise with Neil MacFarlane’s side has been steep and fast, having trialled with the young Bees last pre-season, which meant extended leave from his job as a plumber.

The Hitchin Town product scored twice while on trial, impressing enough to earn a contract until January 2024, which he has since extended until the summer of 2026.

“I feel like it’s been the quickest year of my life, I feel like it’s gone in a flash. Every single day it’s a blessing, I feel happy to be out here and I feel very, very privileged to be in the position I am now compared to the position I was last year,” explained Hay.

“When I look back at it, I was plumbing in a house and then a year down the line I’m playing football every day, I wouldn’t have it any other way."

It’s this appreciation for the opportunity that had Hay working hard over the summer break to return to Jersey Road in the best possible condition.

“I had a little week off, went to Cyprus with my friend, we just relaxed and then got straight back to work doing one to ones, running at the park, in the gym every day, it was nice,” said Hay.

“I find it hard to just stop doing anything completely, especially as all my mates work normal jobs as well, so they’re all at work, so I’m just trying to keep myself busy and entertained.

“You don’t want to be left behind during fitness drills and ball work and finishing and everything, so obviously you’ve always got to keep yourself up to date, so it’s kind of hard to have a break really.”

The 2023/24 campaign saw Brentford B welcome a host of new players following their Premier League Cup triumph the season prior, Hay being one of those.

While chemistry took a while to build, MacFarlane’s group showed their quality more consistently as the season progressed. Hay can see this building more ahead of a new season.

“When I joined last season we had quite a difficult first few months where the team was gelling together, everyone was getting used to each other, I was getting used to everyone,” said Hay.

“Towards the end of the season you could notice the change where all the boys had really gelled together and our performances started to show that.

“Going into the new season I really think we’ll be up there, I think we can do a lot this season, we can prove a big point.”

Being one of the more experienced and older players in the squad, Hay understands his leadership will play a role in building this chemistry.

“I’ve gone from being probably one of the youngest in my last team to being one of the oldest in this team, so it’s a weird transition,” explained Hay.

“I’ve always had a big communication side to my game, I like to lead players, I like to encourage players all the time, I feel like it helps me get through my game as well.”

An extension of this is Hay’s relationship with fellow goalscorer Iwan Morgan, who finished last season with nine goals.

“I think me and him together can cause a lot of problems for other teams, I think it’s a really promising duo together,” he said.

“Our games are quite different because he does a lot of the hold up play and he can finish anything that’s put in front of him. I’ll run about and do a lot of the dirty work.

“I’m really looking forward to seeing what can happen with us this season.”