Dolby tells fans to be more positive

Wednesday 19th April 2006

Tonbridge Angels’ player-manager Tony Dolby has rallied the club’s fans to be more positive after his side’s automatic promotion hopes were dealt a major blow following their 2-0 defeat at Cray Wanderers on Easter Monday, writes Stephen McCartney.

With Ramsgate ensured a promotion spot following their 3-2 victory in a thrilling game against Dover Athletic, and Horsham being held to a 3-3 draw against Burgess Hill Town, Dolby feels his side can sneak into the top two with just three games left to play.

Local rivals Hastings United come to the Betterview Longmead Stadium on Saturday, before Molesey visit the following Tuesday.

They finish the campaign with a trip to relegation threatened side Corinthian Casuals on the last day of the season (29^th April).

In a statement issued on www.tonbridgeafc.co.uk today, Dolby has told the Longmead faithful to cheer the team past the finishing line.

“Obviously I read with interest the comments that are put on the fans forum as I want everyone to be happy and enjoy supporting their team,” said Dolby.

”This is a very difficult job as is most managerial jobs in non-league football but I relish and my passion for the game and learning from situations is as much now as when I signed professional terms as a 17 year old at Millwall.

”There are certain things that are put on the forum that are both untrue and unfair which I feel should be addressed.”

Dolby asks fans to speak to him personally about their gripes instead of hiding in cyber space.

He said: “We have held manager chairman evenings for people to ask questions and give explanations on events that occur during the course of time which I feel was not utilised enough by the fans to express themselves.

”I know not everyone can make it but I have always made myself available and always taken time to answer questions etc when asked.”

Dolby explained why he had substituted Luke Piscina at Hayes Lane on Monday as they suffered their twelve league defeat of the season.

”Luke is a fantastic lad who I really like and who has so much potential it is untrue and I have given him every opportunity to express himself since I have been manager.

”But through no fault of my own or my man management skills he has had a few problems.

”Nearly all other managers would not have given him the 2nd or 3rd or 4th chances that I have this year so in many ways you are lucky he is still here at all.

”The substitution on Monday was a direct result of the fact that he had given everything on Saturday (a 1-0 win over Kingstonian) and was very tired in the second half on Monday so a pair of fresh legs to replace a forward after two games in three days is what I would call a sensible judgement.

”He played excellently on Saturday and after a quiet first half he was causing problems in the second at Cray but he was close to exhaustion, doubling over and breathing heavy so with very important games coming up as well I felt it best to bring him off.

”And him going on holiday had nothing to do with anything, he was welcomed back and was very much part of the plans.”

Dolby has, however, hit back at some fans demanding a change of manager during the close season.

He said: “As for all the secretive “things will change in the summer no matter what” comments, they are made at the wrong time and it is very naïve because at this stage of the season with all to play for they are not contributing to anything other than negative thoughts in peoples minds and surely that is not what a fan who wants his / her team to get promoted wants.

”I am not here for personal gain but to have an impact in a profession I love and inspire as well as being inspired, and I am fully aware that it is a results industry and under achieving results in the sack etc.

”As I know the chairman well I fully expect him to make the right decision when the time comes with the club's best interest in mind and I would never stay where I felt I was ineffective or doing a bad job anyway.

”It saddens me that after three wins before a bad first half on Monday and with three games to go being joint third with a game in hand and still with a slight chance of going straight up I am writing this and reading the things I am but that comes with the job I suppose. I would not want an easy ride anyway…

”Anyway to sum up I hope I am the man to take the club forward and bring the success in craves and if not then I will still remain a fan of what I see as a great club with exceptional fans and people who are involved behind the scenes also.

”I think the forum is great and serves a very good purpose, I would never tell people what they can and can’t write and I believe in free speech, opinions etc but please be a bit broad minded when it comes to expressing certain things for everyone’s sake not just mine.”

Second placed side Horsham end their campaign with a trip to Molesey on Saturday before entertaining Bashley on 29^th April.

Tonbridge Angels v Hastings United
Ryman League Division One
Saturday 22^nd April 2006
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Betterview Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge