Life at Tonbridge will be exciting next season, says chairman

TONBRIDGE ANGELS chairman Nick Sullivan is delighted with the turnaround on the pitch during the past six weeks, writes Stephen McCartney.

Following the Angels 2-1 defeat away to Ashford Town (Middlesex) back on Tuesday, 19^th April, the west Kent club were sitting in seventeenth place in the Ryman Premier League table.

But a 2-1 home win over their arch-rivals Maidstone United was the first of seven straight wins and the club climbed up to seventh place and on the verge of qualifying for the promotion play-off’s.

The Angels, however, suffered a set-back today, as champions-elect Chelmsford City scored a controversial late, late, late goal through substitute Mario Noto as the Angels dropped two places to ninth - four points adrift of fifth placed Horsham.

But Mr Sullivan has faith in boss Tommy Warrilow to continue the club’s push towards the Blue Square South, which is the club’s ultimate aim within the next couple of years.

Writing in today’s programme notes, Mr Sullivan said: “Our recent unbeaten run has seen us leap up the table and on the verge of the play-offs.

“I feel that we are playing no different from what we were a few months ago when I was getting sick and tired of opponents telling me after we had drawn or lost how well we had played.

“Winning breads confidence and then becomes a habit. You can see within the squad the self belief that they have in each other.”

Tonbridge Angels are currently the sixth best supported club in the Ryman Premier League, with an average of 516, and under Warrilow, Mr Sullivan believes the former Horsham assistant will move the club forward.

“Whatever the outcome this season I firmly believe that we finally have the set up to push on. I cannot praise the management team highly enough,” said Mr Sullivan.

“The lads have been a credit to both themselves and the club and with the additions that will be made in the summer the future is very bright.”

And the chairman heaped praise on his vice-chairman, adding: “Since Garry Pass purchased 50% of the club he has been a breath of fresh air to me. He and his wife Mary are working so hard behind the scenes and it makes my life a lot easier here and I am enjoying myself more than ever.

“The pressures of running a club can be shared and with the new ideas and someone who sees things from a different perspective can only enhance what we are trying to achieve at Angels.

“At the beginning of the season things were quite negative, lack of results didn’t help but with a change of manager and new playing personnel we have seen a massive turnaround.

“The club is now settled and looking forward to the future with excitement.”

Visit Tonbridge Angels websites:  www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk & www.tonbridgeafc.co.uk/forum