We're geared up to meet our expectations, insists Warrilow

TONBRIDGE ANGELS reported back to pre-season training this morning, with an air of expectation around the club never felt before, writes Stephen McCartney.

Manager Tommy Warrilow guided the west Kent club to the verge of the Ryman Premier League play-off’s last season, just missing out, in eighth place, but the former Horsham assistant manager knows exactly what he wants this term.

“The expectations are going to be there and rightly so,” Warrilow told www.kentishfootball.co.uk after the session at Tonbridge Farm, adjacent to the club’s improving Longmead Stadium.

“But it won’t just happen, we’ve got to make it happen.

“I think the League is going to be a bit harder than last season, a bit more even and teams that have come in like Sutton, Dover and Dartford - and Carshalton.

“You’re aware of it but I’m not concerned about it because I’m more than happy with what we’ve got here.”

The club have splashed out £100,000 on summer ground improvements to get Longmead Stadium up to Blue Square South standards.

A total of 666 blue seats will be installed at the club, in time for their first home pre-season friendly against Blue Square Premier newcomers Eastbourne Borough on Saturday, 26^th July.

And there is now an expectation that the club can seal the Ryman Premier League title this season.

When Warrilow was asked if the Angels can go and win the title, he replied: “Yes! I think we can. That’s not being brash or arrogant, I think we can win it.

“Every year I’ve been at a club we’ve improved. Last season we finished eighth so we’ve improved on the previous year, where Tonbridge finished eleventh (under previous manager Tony Dolby), so again, I’ll be looking to improve on last year.

Warrilow revealed that he’s spent the funds that he received by selling full-back Scott Gooding (Fisher Athletic) and striker Jon Main (AFC Wimbledon) last season.

And he said: “They’ve given me a budget, which I’m happy with an I’ve said to them (the board), if we get a situation where we’re pushing for it and we need an extra player, they’ll look at it and say yes.

“I’m pretty sure if we’re a snowballs throw away from a certain situation and a player becomes available to help us push for it, I’ll know I’ll get the backing.”

A smart looking twenty-man squad, wearing the club’s training gear, were put through their paces by Warrilow and coaches Cliff Cant and Terry Sedge for a couple of hours.

Warrilow confirmed that left-back Matt Lovell, who received treatment for an ankle injury, will not be available to train for another week, whilst strikers Carl Rook and Jamie Cade, and winger John Westcott are still on holiday.

But the Angels boss was pleased with today’s session and has told trialists, including full-back Stuart Myall (Horsham), striker Luke Piscina (Dartford) and the versatile Jack Parkinson (VCD Athletic) that they can fight their way into his thinking as Warrilow admitted that he hasn’t chosen his starting eleven for their first league game of the season on 16^th August.

“We’ve got six or seven lads coming down to fight for the additional couple of places in the squad,” said Warrilow.

“In general I’ve got sixteen lads that I’m more than happy with. Absolutely delighted with the competition all around and we’re looking forward to it.”

Piscina, who was dumped by former boss Dolby, moved to Kent League neighbours Sevenoaks Town last season before being rescued by Dartford later on in the campaign - the side that clinched the Ryman League Division One North title.

“It’s the first time I’ve spoken to Luke,” revealed Warrilow. “I know off him and he’s more than welcome to come along and again fight for a place so I’ve got no qualms about that whatsoever.

“He hasn’t got to prove anything to anyone (as) he’s been here before. If we can get him back to the player he was it will be a bonus.”

Warrilow, meanwhile, has challenged his side to meet the expectations that have been placed on them this season.

He said: “We’ve set certain standards and these boys can reach the standards that we set them.

“We want to push it more than last year and they’ve got it in their locker.

“I hope it’s a really good season. I don’t want it to be an anti-climax, which if you get lethargic about it and take it for granted.”

Warrilow is currently satisfied with his squad and is pleased that he’s done his shopping during the close season.

He said: “I’ve got a couple of trialists here but there will be a couple of places that we’re trying to fill.

“But I wanted to get my squad as soon as the season finished. I went after players I wanted and got them signed early.

“I don’t care who becomes available now really because I’ve got what I want here.

“Whoever does well for the trials, just those areas (that I’m looking at), unless anyone comes in and buys our players before the season started you always get that risk.”

Players would be stupid if they choose to leave an ever progressive club.

And Warrilow agreed, saying: “We had a chat with (the players before today’s training session) purely to show them what’s going on off and on the pitch.

“Our expectations now on the pitch are getting matched off it.

“Everything’s geared up for promotion and I know the team will be because we’ve got what we’ve wanted.

“I’m not naïve enough thinking it’s just going to happen, we’ve got to make it happen and we can’t rest on our laurels.

“We’ve got to make sure that we get everything right otherwise I’ll be out of a job, it’s a results business.

“We want to win. We want to go up and when I go up I want to go up out of that League. I just don’t want to go up there and consolidate for two or three years.

“I believe in the players’ ability I’ve got here. They can play in the League above (the Blue Square South) but we’ve got to get there first.”

Meanwhile, club officials revealed that the club will have a third kit this season - green and white hoops, whilst the usual away kit will be red shirts with white sleeves.

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