Angels one of the favourites next season, says chairman - EXCLUSIVE

TONBRIDGE ANGELS chairman Nick Sullivan has revealed that “significant” ground improvements will be made at the club’s Longmead Stadium during the close season, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Angels go into their last game of the season, away at third-bottom Carshalton Athletic, with a chance of grabbing a place in the Ryman Premier League play-off’s - hoping that both Hendon and Ramsgate fail to win.

And Mr Sullivan has revealed EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk that he’s delighted how boss Tommy Warrilow has transformed the west Kent club from relegation candidates to play-off hopefuls.

The former Horsham number two arrived at Longmead Stadium in November with the club sitting second from bottom in the table.

But a change in personnel, playing styles and fortunes has given Warrilow’s warriors a chance of joining Staines Town, AFC Wimbledon and AFC Hornchurch in next week’s play-off lottery.

When asked if any ground improvements will go-ahead at the Angels’ ground at Darenth Avenue, Mr Sullivan replied: “There are things in motion, yes. There are things happening at the moment.

“I can’t say for definite because there are a few things that we are waiting on but there will be significant improvements during the summer.”

The club are expected to install another 700 seats at their ground and Mr Sullivan hopes that the club will be playing Blue Square South football next season.

The Angels travel to Colston Avenue tomorrow gunning for a win, and hoping that Wealdstone beat or draw at Hendon and that Ramsgate don’t beat Boreham Wood at Southwood Stadium.

“I mean, we’re in a situation where its not in our hands,” admitted Mr Sullivan. “All what we can do there and do our job professionally. It’s not only for ourselves but we owe it to the boys down there fighting relegation.

“If we do our job properly and what will be will be.”

Mr Sullivan parted company with Tony Dolby just a couple of days after the club’s 3-1 defeat in the FA Cup fourth qualifying round at Ryman One North outfit Ware.

Reserve team manager Julian Leigh was in charge for two games, whilst the club’s approach for Warrilow was accepted by rivals Horsham.

“The three of them, Tommy, Canty (Cliff Cant) and Terry (Sedge) have been different grade,” praised Sullivan.

“They’ve transformed the club and regardless what happens this season, things buoyed very well for the future.”

The Angels reached the second round of the FA Trophy this season, including two games against giants Oxford United before AFC Wimbledon ended the run in the second round, winning 4-0 at Longmead Stadium in front of a record crowd of 2,281.

“If anything, the Trophy run probably caused us more damage than did anything because we had a lot of our current side cup-tied and we had to play people in the Trophy that we didn’t want at the time,” admitted the chairman.

“We had to keep them because we didn’t have a squad.

“The Trophy run was a bonus and we’d never, never take away the experience of the two Oxford games but in the bigger picture we’ve suffered a little bit.”

If the Angels miss out this season, they should be one of the favourites for promotion next season.

“Yes, we will be one of the favourites but that’s for another day,” said Mr Sullivan. “We have just got to concentrate on getting our squad in place.

“It was public knowledge that Tommy was the person we wanted. There were big named players who wanted the job but Tommy was the person that we wanted and we’re delighted that he accepted.”

Meanwhile, striker Micky Collins, 37, who lives “six minutes away” in Hadlow, is relishing tomorrow’s game at Carshalton Athletic, but admits it’s now out of the Angels’ hands.

“Big game, yes, a big game for us,” the much-travelled veteran striker said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“It’s not in our hands anymore is it? We have to win, we know that, the lads know that.

“It’s a shame (last) Saturday that we dropped two points (against Hornchurch) but if we nick a win Saturday we rely on two others teams to do us a favour.

“It’s the only thing we can do, it’s not in our hands anymore, which is a shame, Saturday it was.”

Collins picked up a Kent Intermediate Cup winners medal in midweek as he played for the reserve side that defeated Cray Wanderers thanks to Matt Crane’s 33^rd minute header.

“We were second from bottom, everybody was writing us off and then all off a sudden we put a charge together and the lads have got together,” said Collins.

“The team morale is fantastic is fantastic and even if we don’t make it and we do fall short, to be honest with you, where we’ve come from and what the lads have done and the new management team, it’s been a fantastic season.

Collins, however, paid tribute to EVERYONE at the club, who have pulled in the same direction.

He said: “I think it’s been a great season and I think the club from the chairman down, it’s a great club here and if we get the play-off’s, fantastic!

“If we don’t then so be it, it’s not the end of the world.

“The club’s going places, the two chairmen want it to go places. Tommy and the boys have come in, I’ve seen it. I’ve been at quite a few clubs, it’s a good club, it’s a great club and if we get it Saturday, fantastic for the lads because they’ve put a lot of effort in from the chairman down but if we don’t we’ll be disappointed but it’s not the end of the world.”

When asked what he’ll be doing next season, Collins replied: “He doesn’t know yet! There’s a couple of people that’s spoke to me, I don’t know.

“There’s things I want to talk to the club about but I don’t know whether the legs can do it.

“I haven’t had much first team football and I was brought in as cover, I’ve enjoyed it.

“Tommy (Warrilow)’s my mate, I’ve known him for twenty years. I love it, I love the club, it’s six minutes from my front door, it’s fantastic! I live in Hadlow so it’s great for me.”

Collins is pleased with the affection that Mr Sullivan shows all of the club’s teams, having watched Tuesday night’s reserve Cup final success.

“I’ve been at other clubs where it’s disjointed but it’s not here and that’s why I like playing for the ressies,” said Collins.

“Everybody cares, that’s the one thing you can say about Tonbridge Football Club from top to bottom. Everybody cares and you can’t say that about many clubs.

“I’ve enjoyed it, whether it’s a short say and it’s all over for me at the end of the year, I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s a great club.”

With hundreds of Angels fans travelling to Colston Avenue, Collins also paid tribute to the 191 fans that watched the reserve team lift the Cup.

“The fans are fantastic here, they’re amazing and I’m sure that helps as a 12^th man without a doubt,” he added.

Stephen McCartney will be covering this game for BBC Radio Kent (96.7fm or listen live at www.bbc.co.uk/kent on Saturday and will bring the match report and post-match reaction on www.kentishfootball.co.uk over the course off the weekend.

Carshalton Athletic v Tonbridge Angels
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 26^th April 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Colston Avenue, Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 2PW