16thaug03

Saturday 16th August 2003

Tonbridge Angels chairman issues statement

Tonbridge Angels manager Alan Walker expects the sack if he doesn't win promotion at the end of this season.

The former Fisher Athletic and Sittingbourne manager expects his side to mount a serious promotion challenge in the Dr Martens League Eastern Division this season.

Tonbridge Angels chairman, Paul Dainty issued a statement in the local Courier Newspaper outlining his ambitions at the Longmead Stadium club.

The statement read:

"In my opinion the forthcoming season is the most important in the club's history. The re-alignment of the pyramid leagues has left is uncertain as to what level of football we will be playing in the following season.

"What is for certain is that we have a very talented team, with cautious optimism, we should be in the top six at the end of the season - although manager Alan Walker has predicted he will win the league.

"I believe that the club is still in a period of transition but is moving forward rapidly. The facilities at Longmead Stadium, as I have stated several times, are in need of modernisation in order to attract more support from spectators and commercially.

"It is proving very difficult to provide the finance for such projects and we need the support of the community, council, local and national grants to achieve our ambitions.

"This is frustrating, but we are trying to balance the immediate needs - a decent team on the pitch - with our long term aims.

"Last season we continued financing the current team when most clubs were drastically reducing budgets in the New Year when there was nothing to play for.

"This had a serious impact on the club's finances but attendances improved as supporters followed a winning team. This year I hope finances will improve as our spectator base grows.

"There has been considerable activity off the field in the close season. We have published promotional packs aimed at doubling our sponsorship income the season, produced a new match day programme, launched a lottery and have submitted planning application for a long term development of Longmead Stadium.

"We have also reorganised our board and are currently seeking to enlist two new members with commercial and football experience to assist us in developing the club further."

Coming up for Tonbridge Angels - Dr Martens League Eastern Division

Saturday 19 August

Fleet Town vs Tonbridge Angels

(Calthorpe Park, Crookham Road, Fleet, Hampshire)

Tuesday 19 August

Tonbridge Angels vs Erith & Belvedere

(Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge)

Saturday 23 August

Tonbridge Angels vs Rothwell Town

(Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge)

Monday 25 August

Fisher Athletic vs Tonbridge Angels

(Surrey Docks Stadium, Salter Road, London SE16)