Tompkins wants a chance to manage at a higher level - EXCLUSIVE

MARK TOMPKINS believes his work as the manager of Kent League side Erith Town will stand him in good stead to progress up the footballing ladder, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Dockers are enjoying their best ever season in the Kent League in fifth place in the table and are just 90 minutes away from reaching the Kent League Cup Final.

With seven league games left to play, the Dockers are 15 points adrift of league leaders Thamesmead Town, but Tompkins, a much-travelled striker, whose played for the likes of Bromley, Cray Wanderers, Fisher Athletic and Greenwich Borough, is happy with this season’s progress.

“We want to finish as high as we can,” he said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk. “The best this club’s ever done is seventh.

“To attract players they do look at league tables. When you finish second from bottom, it’s hard to attract players so yes, fifth in the table, let’s see if we can get to a cup final.

“If the season ended now, we’ve had a good season.”

A string of stunning second half saves from James Wastell, a post, and three goal-line clearances, ensured Erith Town escaped with a goal-less draw in their Kent League Cup semi-final first leg at Beckenham Town in midweek.

Looking at Tompkins’ sixteen-man squad at Eden Park Avenue, the Dockers side is full of players that have got plenty of higher-league experience.

Wastell, Danny Bower, Bill Edwards, Adam Heaslewood, Simon Mitchell, Kevin George and Marcel Dennis have all played with Tompkins during his long career.

And the manager, who is expected to feature in the second leg at Erith Sports Stadium on Wednesday, 2^nd April, explained how he’s managed to persuade these players to play for the club.

"That's the contacts I've got," said Tompkins.  "I've played there myself, my contacts brought them in, that's why we're fifth in the league.

“We’re probably the lowest paid out of the top six, but then they’ll all probably say that!

“We’ve not got bundles of money but I’ve got mates of mine playing for me. Next season, a different ball game.

“That’s what you have to do, you have a scout about, bring a few of your pals in but as long as their up for it.

“There’s no good just bring my pals in to come down just to have a jolly up.

“As a manager I want to move on so if their not doing it, I’m a bit cut-throat.”

Tompkins believes his progress at Erith Town will give him a chance to manage at a higher level.

“If I do get a job higher, it means I’ve done something right here,” he said.

“Ryman, Ryman Premier, Conference South, go high as I can. I tried to do that as a player and I want to manage as high as I can.”

But if a higher league club doesn't phone him during the summer, Tompkins is happy to stay and contiunue his building.

He added: "The club need me to stay here now, keep the players I've got and build on them and start establishing ourselves in the league."

The Dockers travel to Deal Town on Easter Saturday before welcoming Croydon seven days later, ahead of their Kent League Cup semi-final second leg showdown with Beckenham Town.