ANGELS’ DAY OF DESTINY: WE ARE READY FOR PROMOTION – CHAIRMAN STEVE CHURCHER

TONBRIDGE ANGELS chairman Steve Churcher says the club have everything in place to host Blue Square Bet South football at Longmead Stadium next season, writes Stephen McCartney.


Tuesday night was a prime example.

A passionate crowd of 1,124 went through the nerves, joy, despair, fear, joy and jubilation of the Angels’ heroic 3-2 win over Harrow Borough, which sets up Saturday’s WINNER-TAKES-ALL home showdown with Lowestoft Town.

The Angels’ fans were immense and didn’t let anyone down as their passion before, during and after the 120 minutes of football helped their battle wary heroes across the finishing line.

One last final effort and the club will be welcoming the likes of Bromley, Dartford, Dover Athletic, maybe Ebbsfleet United and Welling United to a hostile Longmead Stadium next season.

Writing in his programme notes for Tuesday’s game, Mr Churcher said, “Suddenly after 42 league games, the 2010-2011 Ryman Premier League season turns into a cup competition with the play-off finals.

”Obviously the stakes are high, with the winners going on to play in the Blue Square Southern Conference next season.”

He added, “Personally, I have never been a great fan of the play-off system but as a club we have experienced both the elation of a play-off victory (a 3-2 win over Dover Athletic in the Ryman League Division One South play-off final in 2006) and the despair of a play-off defeat (two years against Carshalton Athletic in the Ryman Premier League play-off semi-final) over the past few seasons.

”Ultimately we have a fine squad of players and a management team who can write a new chapter in the Tonbridge Angels history book.

”We can ask no more than for every Angels’ player to play to their potential and come off the pitch with their heads held high and with no regrets.  They have done us all proud this season.

”I have been asked several times over the past couple of weeks if we, as a club, are ready for promotion (should we be fortunate enough to win the play-off’s).

”I would certainly never count chickens before they are hatched, but my response is a simple yes!

”We currently have a squad of players who, on their day, are more than capable of strutting their stuff at a higher level, we have a stadium that is more than capable of holding matches at a higher level, and of course we have a fantastic fan base that will support the club into the next level of non-league football.

”Obviously it would be a challenge, but I really don’t think we have anything to fear at the next level.”

Fans have already described Saturday’s MUST-WIN clash at “The Most Important Game Ever,” and the club will be looking to break their record crowd.

The record crowd at the Cauldron of Passion that is Longmead Stadium was when 2,281 saw AFC Wimbledon beat the Angels 4-0 in the Second Round of the FA Trophy on 12 January 2008.

A crowd of 1,853 saw Tonbridge Angels hold their nerve to beat arch-rivals Dover Athletic 3-2 in the Ryman League Division One South play-off on 6 May 2006.

Current assistant manager, Alex O’Brien, recalls the day when he played in that game.

”I remember the Dover game here and that was fantastic,” said O’Brien.

”There was people on people’s shoulders, it was just crazy, it was really crazy.

”I said that to the boys (on Tuesday).  When this place is packed and everyone’s cheering and chanting your name, it’s a fantastic feeling and I just hope they get a bit of that Saturday.”

Saturday is a day for heroes.  Heroes dressed in blue. 

People have forgotten that the club have enjoyed their best ever season – second place in the Ryman Premier League is the highest that the club has ever finished.

Now let’s wipe out Lowestoft Town’s dream and get this Kent club where it should be.

”Everyone can be a hero,” said an emotional O’Brien.

”If players do their job, Tom, myself and Tel will do our job.  Melv and Tina do their job, people on the gate will do their job.  The fans will do their job.  Everyone’s going to come together and hopefully, I hope, with my hand on heart, I’ll be talking to you and I’m punch drunk!”

IT’S OUR TURN – LET’S GO OUT AND PROVE IT!

COME ON TONBRIDGE!
 
Meanwhile, the club have confirmed that this is an ALL-PAY game – but usual prices apply £10 (adults), £5 (concessions) £3 (under 16s)

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

Tonbridge Angels  v  Lowestoft Town
Ryman Premier League Play-Off Final
Saturday 7^th May 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JF