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Training facilities will make us better, says Tunbridge Wells boss Metcalf

Kevin Metcalf, manager of Go Travel Kent League Premier Division Tunbridge Wells, revealed on Saturday that if his side had adequate training facilities in place next season, then the Culverden Stadium outfit will be higher placed in the table, writes Stephen McCartney.

Tunbridge Wells finished off their league campaign by completing the double over their west Kent local rivals, Sevenoaks Town, winning both games with a 1-0 scoreline in the space of twelve days.

At Culverden Stadium on Saturday, despite the visitors having a fair share of opportunities to come away with a victory, Sevenoaks squandered them all, and Tunbridge Wells came away with an unlikely victory through Matt Tompkins header, six minutes from time, to score his first goal of the season in only two appearances.

Speaking about the game, the Culverden chief said: "I think Sevenoaks had two chances with fifteen minutes to go, and I think they really should have buried them and won the game 2-0.

"We kept on going, and I said to our sponge man, there's a goal in this game, whether it goes Sevenoaks' or our way.  We went up the other end and nicked it.  I do think, however, a 0-0 would have been a fair result, if I am honest."

Tunbridge Wells finished their season in fourteenth place, in an seventeen team league, with eight wins from 32 games, collecting 30 points, but Metcalf feels if his team have proper training facilities put in place for next season, his team will improve their position in Kent League football.

Metcalf said: "We come back to training in the last week of June, and I will be inviting some more players and we are going to have more of a look at some of the youth team players as well and basically building for the next two or three seasons.

"It's very important to have training facilities at this level.  To attract and keep good players, you need to provide the facilities other clubs offer.  Players have commented that they wish to train and be coached, because they wish to improve both tactically and in terms of skill, and the only way forward is on a training ground or use of the pitch.

"They do go down the gym which is a good facility.  If we can keep this facility for their fitness work and a bit of ball work on a pitch, it just shows without proper training we've got thirty points, with the right coaching and the right training, I think we can be mid-table next season."

Meanwhile, Tunbridge Wells would be delighted to hear from anyone that would like to pay for, or towards players' expenses over the next season.  By doing this, funds will be freed up to develop the club on and off the field.  Interested parties should contact Steve Gamage or Norman Sales at the club (01892 520 517).


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