10thmar05

No pay for falling Angels

ANGRY Tonbridge Angels chairman Paul Dainty has reacted to the club's 4-1 defeat at Windsor  & Eton last Saturday by docking the players pay, after what he calls a display that "lacked commitment, passion and a desire to keep the club in the Ryman Premier League," writes Stephen McCartney.

The Avavan Longmead Stadium outfit have only nine games to maintain their status and are five points from safety.  They've still got to clash with Kent rivals Dover Athletic and with Folkestone Invicta hovering just above the drop zone, it would be depressing if all three Kent sides fell through the trap door.

Dainty told the club's website: "In hindsight maybe I was wrong to do what I did but quite frankly I was so appalled by the performance, which we had to witness, that was a disgrace to the club and its loyal supporters, I felt I had to do something.

"I didn't actually say I was not going to pay the wages but wanted the players to justify themselves as to why they would deserve to be paid after what we had to endure.

"I thought Worthing (lost 4-0) was bad, but our display on Saturday lacked commitment, passion, organisation and above all a desire to keep the club in this division."

The chairman, who along with financial director Robin Apps, stands down at the end of the season, praised striker Steve Sodje for his commitment to the cause to help fight the drop - without financial incentives.

Dainty added: "People go on about the club and money, we have very little left but always, somehow, we manage to pay the players.  Where was the payback on Saturday?   I felt some players were going through the motions, just to pick up their wages, which is shameful!

"Steve Sodje is an example of what this club needs now.  Steve was going to be released by the club a month ago, he accepted that but asked to stay with the club, without being paid, to try to help the club stay in this division.

"Some other players I believe, lack such desire and what I cannot understand and is why they could perform so well the week before against a top six side?"


Ryman League Premier League (bottom 6)

Tonbridge Angels v Heybridge Swifts
Ryman League Premier Division
Saturday 12th March 2005
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Avavan Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge