Tonbridge Angels accept offer for Legge

Sunday 28th June 2009

TONBRIDGE ANGELS have this afternoon accepted an offer from an unnamed Coca-Cola League One side for big and powerful central defender Leon Legge, writes Stephen McCartney.

The 24-year-old was withdrawn from the final part of Tonbridge’s opening pre-season training session yesterday, as manager Tommy Warrilow insisted afterwards that “he will probably be gone by next week.”

Although the cash-strapped Ryman Premier League club are keeping the identity of the interested League club secret, Warrilow speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk back in January 2009, said that the big central defender was destined to turn a professional.

“I think he will go into the League,” Warrilow said at the time. “It’s just a matter of when, but he has to go for the right reasons, for Leon as well.

“I just don’t want him to go to a club for the sake of making the numbers up. I want him to go to a club where he’s got a genuine chance to get in the first team and push on.”

He added: “If a club came in for Leon, I’d never stop the lad progressing into the Football League. Obviously it’s got to be right for both parties.”

Warrilow, whose budget has been reduced this season following the shock resignations of Nick Sullivan and Garry Pass (the club’s chairman and vice-chairman respectively) last month, has admitted he must transfer listed Legge and striker Carl Rook to bring in extra funds to enable him to add to his threadbare squad.

But club secretary, Charlie Cole, revealed this afternoon that the Angels have accepted a bid for the contracted former Lewes man.

He said: “We have received an offer from a Division One team for Leon Legge, and the financial terms are acceptable to the club.

“This offer is of course subject to Leon receiving a satisfactory medical report from that club’s doctors, and the club agreeing terms with Leon.”

Warrilow was seen having a five-minute one-on-one discussion with Legge, whilst the rest of the squad started a kick-about during yesterday's two hour work-out beside Longmead Stadium.

“Leon will probably be gone by next week, that’s why I pulled him out of the game at the end,” the boss said yesterday.