Blame me if we don't get promoted, says Warrilow

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow has thanked the club’s board for their financial support to allow him to bring in his third signing in the last couple of weeks, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Angels boss, who has cemented his side’s place in the Ryman Premier League play-offs in third place, has recently brought in Dwain Clarke (Carshalton Athletic), and long throw specialist winger Steve Ferguson has signed from his home-town club Billericay Town last Friday, but his new signing will spell out Warrilow’s promotion intentions.

Quality striker Paul Booth, 32, who lives in Tonbridge, has signed for the Longmead Stadium outfit, following his release from Blue Square South outfit Havant & Waterlooville last night.

He put pen to paper on a contract last night, keeping him at his home-town club until the end of next season, with an option for a further year.

Having started his glittering career here in Kent with Maidstone based side Oakwood, Booth formed a formidable partnership with Che Stadhard, which ensured Gravesend & Northfleet, as they were known back then, romp to the Ryman Premier League title to win promotion to what was then called the Conference.

After two years at Stonebridge Road, Booth joined Welling United in 2002, staying at Park View Road until 2005.

A proven goalscorer, Booth racked up 32 goals in 51 appearances for Cambridge City during their Blue Square South campaign in 2005/2006 season, before moving to Lewes in the summer 2006, scoring 54 goals in 89 appearances for the east Sussex club.

This season, Booth has scored four goals from 20 starts in a struggling Havant & Waterloovile side, that are one place - and six points - above the Blue Square South drop zone.

Warrilow, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, following his side’s dominant 2-2 draw at Staines Town on Tuesday night, thanked Nick Sullivan (chairman) and Garry Pass (vice-chairman) for their backing.

“Nick’s been brilliant, we’ve had a supporter as well come forward that’s given us some money to see the season out for the final push and that’s what we’ve used,” said Warrilow.

“The two chair’s have been fantastic since I’ve been here. If things don’t happen here, I can’t turn round and blame anyone else but myself. Whatever I’ve wanted they’ve given me, within reason.”

Warrilow was pleased that Mr Pass was able to travel to Staines, having suffered a heart attack after the game against AFC Hornchurch two weeks ago.

And he said, “I’m delighted they’re both here tonight, hopefully that’s put a smile on both their faces.

“Garry’s been ill and Nick’s been here for a long time and been through the good times and the bad times with the supporters and everyone here.

“I want to succeed. My target was the play-off’s, but I just don’t want to go in there and make the numbers up.

“Like I said from day one, I’ve got a good enough squad to win that. We’ve witnessed it here tonight, (against the) favourites here tonight.

“We’re not just going to turn up, if we do get into the final, we’ve got to get there.”

Ashford Town (Middlesex) arrive at Longmead Stadium on Saturday, smarting from their 7-1 home defeat against the Angels on the first day of November.

And with striker Jamie Cade (3 matches) and Leon Legge (2) suspended, and with Fraser Logan, Clarke, Lewis Hamilton, Phil Starkey and Ade Olorunda, who all missed the midweek draw at Staines Town, expected to be ruled out through injury, Warrilow must patch up his side again.

Warrilow was forced to play Tim Olorunda at right-back, Lee Minshull at the heart of defence, along side Legge, and Scott Gooding at left-back in a game they dominated at Wheatsheaf Park in midweek.

And Warrilow said, “There’s no point getting great results against Carshalton Athletic (a 3-0 away win last Saturday) and here and throwing it away on Saturday.

“I’ll be straight on their cases about the last two games and to not throw it away at home to Ashford, who are a side who we saw beat Sutton 2-1 (last weekend), so on their day, they’re a hard side to beat.

“I always want more, I always want better. There’s still a few games to go and I don’t want to take my finger of the pulse, we’re fully focused.

“I can’t ask for anymore from the team I had out tonight, players playing out of position. There’s no moaners, they want the shirt, they all want to play for the club and they all want to keep their shirt.

“When everyone’s fit, I’ve got some bad problems because there’s some quality players in my squad now and when everyone’s fit, I’ll have problems.

“But we’ve got seven out Saturday, hopefully I’ll have some of them back, I’ll know more after training on Thursday.”

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

Tonbridge Angels v Ashford Town (Middlesex)
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 21^st March 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Betterview Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JW