Cash flow problems forces Warrilow to ditch Ferguson

Thursday 14th January 2010

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow says his club have suffered during the current cold snap as he has been forced to offload one of his players due to the lack of income being generated, writes Stephen McCartney.

Former AFC Wimbledon right-winger, Steve Ferguson, departed Longmead Stadium on a free-transfer yesterday evening and has put pen to paper for Blue Square South neighbours Bromley.

“The weather has affected us, not just us, but obviously the finances of the club,” Warrilow told www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight.

“We were looking at it at the start of the season, we sat down and discussed it. The budget was cut, the squad was smaller. We decided to go with it and try to sustain it as long as we have and we find it really tough with no games.

“We’ve had to address it. I know Bromley were interested so that was the reason behind it.”

With Tonbridge fans speculating that attacker Gareth Williams will be heading in the opposite direction, Warrilow revealed any new faces will have to come in for less money than the Scottish winger.

“If I bring a player in, they’ve got to be on less money financial wise,” said Warrilow.

“What the board are aware of is I’ve never had a massive squad at the start of the season. The last month or so we’ve lost Jean-Michal Sigere, Lewis Hamilton, Gavyn Dayes and now Steve Ferguson.

“It’s needs must. I’ve brought a couple of lads in but we rally need some numbers as we have injuries and suspensions.

“I’ve got a squad of 12-13 lads, if I can keep them (fit) week in, week out, yes, we could have a go off it but what I didn’t want was put pressure on the lads that are coming into trying this football for the first time, i.e Sonny Miles, the Paul Butler’s, Liam Bakers etc, the added pressure that they’ve got to come in and we’ve definitely got to do this and do that.

“I want them to go out and enjoy it and learn and for them to push on.”

Warrilow’s preparations have been disrupted and the massive west Kent showdown against bitter rivals Maidstone United at Longmead Stadium on Saturday is expected to be postponed tomorrow.

“I’ve been more a weatherman than a football manager at the moment,” said Warrilow. “As it stands I don’t know. I thought the rain would help it but there’s still a lot of snow on the pitch.

“The league, like last week, common sense has kicked in to give us pitch inspections tomorrow morning. Charlie (Cole, club secretary) is down there in the morning and will let us know.

“It is frustrating for everyone. I mean, how do you prepare for it? We can’t find anywhere to train. Last week we trained Tuesday and Saturday. There was snow everywhere, it was not ideal but we’ve just got to get on with it.”

Warrilow added: “We’re looking at other places and all indoor facilities are booked up so there’s not a lot we can do.

“We could train Saturday, people like Anthony Storey had a six-and-a-half hour round trip for a training session. You’ve got to think about things like that when you’re looking to get them down for a Tuesday night.

“We’re not training tonight because we can’t get onto the pitch.”

Maidstone United joint-manager, Lloyd Hume, is also frustrated with the poor weather conditions, although his side did train last night.

Hume, also speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk, was hopeful that Saturday’s game would go ahead.

“I think it will, as far as I can tell. It depends what the weather does between now and then,” said Hume at lunchtime today.

“It’s been very unpredictable hasn’t it. One minute they said there’s going to be no snow and there’s loads and when they tell you there’s going to be loads of snow there’s none so we’re at the mercy of the weather at the moment but hopefully it will be on. I’m sure Tonbridge and Tom want the game on as we do.”

Defenders Peter Hawkins and James Peacock are suspended for the club’s next game, which leaves Hume and Alan Walker headaches as to who will slot into the heart of defence.

“It’s a hindrance because suspensions tot up,” he bemoaned. “If we play Saturday we’re without Peter Hawkins, because he’s been suspended now for two weeks and it’s only a one-match suspension as we haven’t played and we’ve also got PK now suspended so we’ve got three centre halves and two will be out on Saturday, which will effect us.”

Speaking about arranging training facilities, Hume said, “We played a week Saturday so we had one week last week where we couldn’t train as we couldn’t get anywhere, but we trained last night on a 3G.”

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ websites: www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk & www.tonbridgeafc.co.uk/forum

Visit Maidstone United’s website: www.maidstoneunited.co.uk

Tonbridge Angels v Maidstone United

Ryman Premier League

Saturday 16th January 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JW