30thdec04

We must improve insists Angels chairman

PAUL DAINTY, chairman of Ryman League Premier Division club Tonbridge Angels, believes now is the time to “stoke up a few fires,” before the Angels’ season reaches crisis point, reports www.nonleaguedaily.com

The Angels have struggled to gain a foothold after promotion to the Premier Division, and lie third-from-bottom going into 2005.

Eleven games without a victory has prompted the chairman to call for a shake-up in personnel as player boss Tony Dolby looks to add to the squad at Longmead.

“We have a simple choice to make,” said Dainty. “We can accept things as they are and get relegated, or we can change it. We’ve still got an opportunity to make a difference if we do something now, but if things don’t change, we’re heading south in a big way.”

Tonbridge have had long-awaited success in the transfer market with the acquisition of former Gillingham midfielder Lenny Piper from Fisher Athletic on a month’s loan.

But Dainty believes any further squad additions may have to be countered with the release of current players.

“People say we’ve got a small squad but I think if you look at our bench against Northwood, we had Steve Sodje, Keiron Wilson and Jay May, which isn’t too bad,” said Dainty. “Anthony Hogg was suspended, and Tony Dolby and Pat Blackman are fit again so we’re actually quite well off.

“In my opinion, we need to let some players go if we are going to bring any more in because otherwise we simply can’t afford it.

“In theory, you could swap three or four averagely paid players for one or two good ones, and that’s something I’ve suggested to Tony.”

Tonbridge Angels v Braintree Town
Ryman League Premier Division
Saturday 1st January 2005
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Avavan Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge