Tonbridge Angels' prove that their Diamond geezers

Diamond Charity Football Club (DCFC), who are based in Surrey at Whyteleafe Football Club, are delighted to announce that their next game is in the Garden of England against a strong Tonbridge Angels’ XI on Sunday, writes Stephen McCartney.

Plenty of goals have been scored in their first three games as they have tasted a win, draw and a defeat.

Netherne were beaten by four goals to nil, before ten goals were scored in their draw against Whyteleafe. But their unbeaten run was ended by Leatherhead, suffering a 7-4 defeat.

But scoring goals is not the most important thing for this unique football team, as Matt Downton explained to www.kentishfootball.co.uk.  

“We believe that Diamond Charity Football Club is the first football club set up solely to play games in order to raise money for charity,” he said.

“Our chosen charity if the British Heart Foundation. Although registered with the Surrey FA, we don’t play in any leagues or cup competitions, just specially arranged games.

“The club is run on a voluntary basis and has a squad of 17 players plus former professional players.”

The club’s president is Steve Kember, formerly of Chelsea and Crystal Palace. Other former Crystal Palace stars Jim Cannon, Brian Sparrow and Stuart Massey have also turned out for the team and will grace the Longmead pitch.

Recent additions to the squad include stars Simon Rodger, South Croydon based celebrity artist George Ioannou and former Gravesend & Northfleet player Bobby Bowry.

“Going forward our aim is to broaden the range of our guests to include celebrities from various fields not just those from the world of football,” added Mr Downton.

The star studied Tonbridge Angels’ squad has already been announced, including the chairman of the Ryman Premier League club, Nick Sullivan, who as we all know played in goal for Arsenal and his home-town team.

Former Tonbridge manager Colin Blewden, who still watches the club, and Tommy Warrilow, who is on the management team of rivals' Horsham, will be in Sunday's squad.

The side also contains many players that have played in the Kentish non-league football scene, which should attract a good crowd at the Betterview Longmead Stadium on Sunday.

Mr Sullivan added: “We were approached about a year ago from the organisers of the charity, asking if we could stage the event, and would we be willing to put a side out, hence the game on Sunday.

“The most important thing is the money raised. They’ve got some old experienced players and our lot wanted to get back together and play.”

Speaking about his side, he asked: “What would that side cost now? There’s a lot of talent in our side.”

Tonbridge Angels’ squad:
Nick Sullivan, Colin Blewden, Tommy Warrilow, Dave Arter, Ian Mawson, Peter Jarvis, Danny Tingley, Jeff Ross, Mark Gilliam, Gary Aldous, Alan Tutton, Andy Mills, Mick Wells, Lee Thompson, Mark Freeman, Gary Wallace, Steve Hearn, Paul Stevens, Tony Booth, Dave Ward, Mel Watkins and Kevin Chivers.

Visit the Diamond’s website at: www.diamondfc.net

* Meanwhile, the highly-rated former Tunbridge Wells goalkeeper Matt Bromby, has tonight re-signed for Tonbridge Angels as back-up for first team stopper Aaron Kerr, following his short spell at Hastings United.

Last season Bromby helped the Angels' reserve side to lift the Kent Intermediate Cup and the Suburban League Shield.

Tonbridge Angels XI v Diamond Charity FC
Sunday 24 September 2006
Kick Off 2:00pm
at the Betterview Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge

Ticket prices: £4 (adults), £1 (under 16s)