Tonbridge unveil another double signing

Wednesday 14th June 2006

Tony Dolby, the player-manger of Tonbridge Angels, is making sure the Betterview Longmead Stadium outfit last more than one season in the Ryman Premier League this time around, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Angels returned to the top flight of Ryman League football at their first attempt, having beaten arch rivals Dover Athletic 3-2 in a thrilling play-off final last month, having finished their 44-match league campaign behind Ramsgate and Horsham. Dolby, who promised fans promotion following their relegation the year before, has so far added four new players to his squad and big target man Wade Falana has been encouraged to keep fit during the close season.

Talented midfielder Scott Kinch, who was sent off for Tooting & Mitcham United during Angels’ 2-0 win over the Surrey side in the play-off semi-final, and right-back Scott Gooding, signed from Gravesend & Northfleet, were Dolby’s first summer signings.

But today’s news that Dolby has added former Gravesend & Northfleet goalkeeper Aaron Kerr, and utility man Anthony Allman from their Ryman Premier League rivals Margate, should mean the club will not be flirting with the drop next season.

The signing of Kerr, a former Northern Ireland under 21 international, follows news that current goalkeeper Jerome John will not be able to fully commit to the Angels next season.

John, who superbly filled the boots left by Jamie Turner, who impressed in the Nationwide Conference South with Welling United last season, will be starting a new job as a fireman and this will mean he may only appear in a handful of times next season.

Kerr, who began his career as a trainee at Wolverhampton Wanderers in 1999, moved to Havant & Waterlooville in 2002-03, playing under current Gravesend & Northfleet boss Liam Daish.

He then signed as Walsall’s number two in time for the 2003-04 campaign but broke his wrist and was out of the game for six months.

Having turned down a move to Boston United, he opted for a move to Worcester City during the 2004-05 campaign but decided to commute from his Belfast home to St George’s Lane.

However, he suffered a potentially career threatening injury after rupturing knee ligaments but lined up with Daish at Stonebridge Road following James Pullen’s exit last summer.

But Kerr, given the number one shirt by Daish, was understudy to Craig Holloway, who was handed the number 12 shirt, and made just five appearances in the Nationwide Conference last season and was one of eleven players released by the north Kent club this summer.

Allman, meanwhile, made his debut for Bishop’s Stortford at the start of the 2003-04 promotion campaign after a season in the Conference at Woking.

A former England Schoolboy International product from the FA School of Excellence at Lilleshall, Allman joined Charlton Athletic before moving to Colchester United.

Allman, an utility player who can play in many positions including right back and in the middle of the park, then switched to St Albans City in July 2005 before signing for Chris Kinnear at Margate last summer.

But Allman was released by newly appointed Hartsdown Park player-manager Robin Trott last month, and will be a useful addition for the Angels. We shall try to bring you reaction from Tony Dolby later.

Visit the Tonbridge Angels’ website www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk