Tonbridge Angels: Manager Steve McKimm retains seven of his current squad

TONBRIDGE ANGELS manager Steve McKimm has been busy over recent days retaining seven of his current squad ahead of next season’s National League South campaign.

Centre-half and skipper Sonny Miles has agreed terms to stay at Longmead Stadium next season.

Miles, 30, came through the youth ranks at the club and made his first-team debut in 2008 and has made 434 appearances and scored 19 goals for the club.

“It goes almost without saying that everyone at Tonbridge Angels will be jumping for joy at this news,” McKimm told the club website.

“Sonny is and always has been a hugely important player for me and made the step up from Isthmian to National South football a couple of seasons ago seamlessly.  His influence in the dressing room and on the pitch is vital to the success of this club.”

McKimm has also confirmed that Miles’ centre-half partner, Arthur Lee, has also been retained.

He said: “I was delighted when Arthur agreed to re-join us at the start of last season but unfortunately because of an injury sustained at Chelmsford we weren’t able to see very much of him on the pitch.

“I know he will absolutely be raring to go and I’m very pleased we’ve been able to agree terms.”

Goalkeeper Jonny Henly, 27, signed for the club from Hemel Hempstead Town in August 2017, following a successful loan period at the end of the 2016-17 campaign during which he achieved some man-of-the-match performances for the Angels.

McKimm has also retained the services of the former Reading, Aldershot Town, Oxford United, Welling United and Ipswich Town stopper, who has gained international honours whilst representing Scotland at both under 19s and under 21 levels and has made 164 appearances for Tonbridge Angels.

“Jonny is an exceptional keeper at this level but it’s his overall reading of the game and the ability to effectively marshall the defenders in front of him as he sees things they may not be aware of that makes him indispensable to the squad,” added McKimm.

Former AFC Wimbledon central midfielder, Tom Beere, has also agree terms to stay put.

“It’s great news that Beero has agreed terms with us to be part of this season’s squad,” added McKimm.

“His football can be a delight to witness and he has the ability to turn a game in one moment of brilliance but he is also prepared to do the hard unsung work out there.”

Highly-rated winger, Joe Turner, has made 158 appearances and scored 49 goals for the club.

“Joe is an exceptionally honest and talented player and even if things aren’t going his way, he will always give you 110%,” said McKimm.

“The supporters will be delighted and I’m delighted that he’s agreed to spend his fifth successive campaign with us.”

Meanwhile, Zak Guerfi and Tom Hanfrey have also been retained.

Guerfi, 22, a Tunisian Under 18 international and central midfielder, was selected for the 2019 African Nations Cup squad.

He has played club football for US Monastir, Stevenage Borough, Bodens UK in Sweden and here in Kent for Dover Athletic.

Hanfrey, 20, is a full-back who can also operate in midfield and stands at six foot three inches and spent most of his footballing career at Bournemouth Academy, representing both the under 18s and under 21s.

“These are two young players who we really didn’t really get to see enough of last season through no fault of their own, are both determined to move their footballing career son in an upward trajectory with the Angels and I’m very pleased they have agreed to stay with us,” added McKimm on his club website.

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