I want the club to grow and progress every year, says Tonbridge Angels boss Tommy Warrilow

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow says he needs local businesses to support his club so they can turn the club into a top half of the table team next season.

The Angels escaped relegation from Blue Square Bet (Conference) South in their penultimate game of the season when they played out a 1-1 draw at home to Eastbourne Borough.

They finished in sixteenth-place – four points clear of the relegated trio - in the table following their 3-2 home win over Truro City on the last day of the season with 48 points from 42 games.

Warrilow said: “We’ve finished sixteenth, only ten points of tenth spot as well, which underlines really what I’ve been trying to say, small bits, small details give you a top ten finish at a minimum.

“I can easily think of three games where we could have got those points from.

“The most important thing was to get those points to keep us save and we can sit down and go again next year.”

Warrilow will shortly issue his retained list – which will reveal details of the contracted players that he is releasing from Longmead Stadium, ready for their third campaign at Conference South level.

He said: “After Wednesday we’ll announce the boys that have re-signed, some will, if they don’t, they don’t.

“I’ve said this year I’m not going to hang about all through the summer and wait for people to decide what they’re going to do. They either want to be a part of Tonbridge Football Club or they can see what’s out there.

“It happens in football. We’ve not had the best of seasons so perhaps that can be a blessing in disguise, only time will tell.

“There will be a few changes. I’m hoping to bring in three fresh faces. I don’t think a massive upheaval needs to be done. Ten more points and you’re in a top-ten finish.

“I want the club to grow and progress every year. We’ve had a hard year this year, not just the football club.

“But the whole town and the council and everyone needs to start to rally round and back us a little bit more. It’s the only way forward.  You can see what the council have done for Dartford, with some big companies getting involved etc commercially and we need that down our place.

“We’ve got a fantastic sponsorship with Hadlow College but we need other things as well now. Until you get those things in place it’s only the certain way you grow and progress otherwise you come to a standstill.”

The Angels would appreciate a crowd of over 1,000 for when they stage the Kent Senior Cup (Sponsored by Portablefloodlights.com) Final against Charlton Athletic on Wednesday night.

The Angels have won the silverware on two occasions (1965 and 1975) and have been runners-up on three occasions, the last time being when they were defeated by Bromley in the 2007 final at Hayes Lane.

“It’s a nice finish to the season,” said Warrilow.

“It’s a shame it’s not on a night where we can enjoy it a little bit because by the time you come of the pitch the night’s gone.

“Hopefully there will be a few people down there and it will be nice if we can win something and look back on this year and it’s something to put on our season.

“We’ve progressed every year and winning the Kent Senior Cup gives it another spin to the season.”

Charlton Athletic, who have defeated Chatham Town, Herne Bay and Thamesmead Town, are expected to field a quality young side at Longmead Stadium.

“We know about the boy (Joe) Pigott, who was at Bromley this season.  We’ve had them come down as well for a game so we know what Charlton are going to be about.  Their under 21’s have won their league or they’re looking to win their league so they’ll be looking to impress for their futures as well, the players.

“I’m sure they won’t be taking us lightly because some of them will be looking for deals and to impress as well.

“We always put something positive by every season we’ve been here and this could be our gateway to that as well.”

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ website: www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk

Tonbridge Angels  v  Charlton Athletic
Kent Senior Cup (Sponsored by Portablefloodlights.com) Final
Wednesday 1^st May 2013
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JF