Kentish Football 
Obviously management and coaching is what I want to do, says dual-registered Tony Dolby
Sunday 02nd January 2011
TONY DOLBY says he has put pen to paper on dual-registration terms for two Kent clubs - although his ambition is to get back into a managing or coaching role after parting company with Hastings United for the second time, writes Stephen McCartney.
Dolby, 36, who resides in Chislehurst, parted company with the struggling east Sussex club last month, and has signed non-contract terms with their Ryman Premier League rivals Cray Wanderers and Safety Net Associates Kent League outfit Erith & Belvedere.
Ironically, Cray Wanderers moved into their highest ever league position - second - following a comfortable 2-0 win over Hastings at Hayes Lane yesterday.
The Wands scored both their goals inside the opening nine minutes, through Leigh Bremner (who was later red-carded) and Frenchman Laurent Hamici, 23, as Hastings stretched their winless run to eight games and are hovering just one place above the drop zone.
“It’s always sad to leave anywhere,” said Dolby. “We had a real good season last year and a good start to this season. We were a little bit unfortunate with a couple of bad injuries to key players and lost a couple of games narrowly.
“It’s a bit of a snowball affect really. We then suffered from confidence, a lot of players, and we had a wage cut as well, which was hard to take for some players and I thought it was best that we part company and they can get a new face in and start again and I can move onto pastures new as well.
“It was all amicable,” added the former Tonbridge Angels manager. “I still speak to the chairman. I’ve been speaking to the chairman last week. I get on very well with all the supporters and players down there so I left on good terms.”
Dolby, meanwhile, raised eyebrows when he walked into Hayes Lane yesterday, clutching his kit bag, but later took part in Cray Wanderers’ warm-up.
“I came down today to sign forms for Cray,” said Dolby. “It’s a local club for me, ten minutes away. I know the boys and Jenko, Joe and Blado (Ian Jenkins, Joe Francis and Paul Blade), I know them very well and I don’t think I’ll be signing for anyone else in the Ryman Premier League.
“I’ve signed for Cray and I’ve also signed for Erith & Belvedere to get a few games and see what the next few weeks bring.
“I’m relatively fit, I need a few games. Obviously management and coaching is what I want to do but I’ll see what happens over the next couple of weeks.”
Dolby has no hard feelings following his second departure from The Pilot Field, who are now managed by former Lewes man, Jason Hopkinson.
He said: “Hastings are a totally different outfit to when I left them just a few weeks ago. They’ve had a bit of an exodus of players that have gone and quite a few new players have come on so they’re going to take time to gel.
“It’s nice to see people you used to work with but hopefully they can pick themselves up and march on.”
Dolby hasn’t applied for any posts as yet, adding, “I haven’t put my name out there or applied for anything or stuff like that but because there’s been so little football over the last few weeks as well there’s not much happening but like I say all the football will be back on now.
“There’s people pushing on or struggling or whatever it might be so if something comes up and it’s the right thing then obviously I’ll look at it.
“At the moment, I’ll just get back enjoying training and playing.”
Dolby may have to wait a little bit longer to break into the successful Cray side, although his versatility and his lethal left-foot may help.
“It’s going to be difficult to break into the team anyway with how well they’re doing,” added Dolby.
“If needed, I’ll go on the bench for them in the next game and see what happens with injuries or suspensions, so literally I’ll be fighting to get my place, like anybody else will be.
“I’ve missed out on quite a bit of playing over the last few years, where I’ve been a manager. I do see myself as a manager, but I’m also a decent player, so there is a little bit to give there.”
The former Millwall star added, “I do feel quite good! I keep myself fit all the time anyway, I do a bit of Vets’ football - I can play anywhere - so I’ll see what happens.”
Cray Wanderers boss, Ian Jenkins, is delighted to have Dolby on board.
“It’s similar to when I signed him a couple of years ago,” explained Jenkins.
“He’s not in football at the minute and I think he’s a good lad to have around. He brings a lot to the dressing room with all the experience he’s got. He talks to me, Joe and Blado about things and I’m prepared to listen to him. He’s got all that experience and when he does play, which he will play a part in the next 19 games in the league, he’s got quality ain’t he!
“He’s one of the reasons were in this division, after what he done for us a couple of years ago - some of the free-kicks he put in and his set-ball plays were fantastic!”
Dolby could make his Erith & Belvedere debut on Bank Holiday Monday (1pm) when Beckenham Town visit Park View Road, in a hastily re-arranged Kent League fixture.
Deres’ manager, Micky Collins, said today that Dolby can play a useful role for him at the second-from-bottom club.
Collins said: “We need to sit down and discuss that, me and Tony. Tony’s signed for us, which is great.
“We’re sorry it hasn’t worked out for him at Hastings, but he’s a great lad, he’s had a great career in football so we’re privileged with the fact that he wants to sign for us.
“He may be involved tomorrow and we will sit down and have a chat with him. We’ve been mates for a long, long time, so it’s good to have Tony on board, especially with Simon Osborn there as well. We’ll see how it pans out - we’re quite experienced people.
“It’s good for both clubs as I’ve got a good relationship with Jenko at Cray.”
Visit Cray Wanderers’ website: www.craywands.co.uk
Visit Erith & Belvedere’s website: www.erithandbelvederefc.co.uk
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd