Tommy Warrilow quits after Tonbridge Angels suffer the drop

TONBRIDGE ANGELS chairman Steve Churcher begins the search for a new manager after Tommy Warrilow said that he will resign after relegating the club this afternoon.

The Longmead Stadium club had to beat fellow strugglers Chelmsford City in their penultimate league game of the season today and hoped that other results went their way to beat the drop from Skrill South.
 
However, after holding third-placed Bromley to a creditable 1-1 draw at the weekend, the Angels suffered an embarrassing 7-1 defeat away to Chelmsford City, a result that maintains the Essex club’s Conference South status, but condemns the Angels to relegation back to the Ryman Premier League on 39 points after three seasons at this level.

But history was not on the Angels’ side.  The last time the Kent club won a League game away to Chelmsford City was back in 1951, but the manner of their relegation was to be the final straw for the club’s most successful manager.

Warrilow guided the club into Conference South after finishing runners-up in the Ryman Premier League in 2011, but had to win two thrilling play-off games at Longmead Stadium to seal promotion.

The Angels defeated Harrow Borough 3-2 after extra-time in the semi-finals and were victorious in the final, beating Lowestoft Town 4-3.

Warrilow guided the club to ninth-place in their first season in Conference South but struggled last season, finishing in sixteenth-place, four points clear of the drop zone.

But goalscoring has been a problem for the Angels this season and has ultimately cost the club their place in the division.

Mark Lovell, 30, tops the charts with ten goals from 32 starts and former Crystal Palace striker Nathaniel Pinney, 23, has been a big disappointment, with only five goals from 21 starts this season.

Warrilow will take charge of the club for the final time when play-off chasing Havant & Waterlooville visit Longmead Stadium on Saturday.

Chairman Steve Churcher issued a statement on the club’s official website late on Easter Monday.

He said: “I and the board would like to place on record our appreciation of the way Tommy has led the first team for what is nearly seven seasons; particularly his achievement of taking the club to its highest ever position within the modern non-league pyramid.

“Clearly this season has been very difficult for Tommy and it is right for the club going forward that we part company.

“We wish Tommy all the very best of luck for the future.”

Mr Churcher wants the club’s supporters to thank Warrilow for his efforts during their last game of the season.

Havant & Waterlooville regained fifth-place after beating champions Eastleigh 1-0 and Dover Athletic being held to a 1-1 draw at home to Whitehawk this afternoon.

The Hampshire side are at home to Maidenhead United on Wednesday.  Maidenhead are three points adrift of safety, but have two games left to avoid falling through the trap door with Tonbridge and Dorchester Town.

Mr Churcher said: “To some this may seem a meaningless fixture but we should celebrate our three seasons in Conference South which hopefully we can do with a positive result against play-off hopefuls Havant, followed by the end of season presentations to the players in the clubhouse.

“The hunt will now be on for a new manager who can create a team that can play the kind of football we enjoy seeing at Longmead.

“Our three seasons in the second tier of the non-league game has made us hungry for more!”

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