Conference South is going to be even stronger this year, warns Tonbridge Angels boss Tommy Warrilow

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow hopes the visit of FA Vase runners-up Tunbridge Wells will boost the clubs coffers going into the new season.


The Angels have agreed to field their first team squad against Martin Larkin’s side when the two neighbours lock horns in an eagerly-awaited clash at Longmead Stadium on Saturday.

Tunbridge Wells finished in seventh-place in the Kent League last season and were defeated 2-1 by Northern League side Spennymoor Town in the FA Carlsberg Vase Final at Wembley Stadium in May.

The Wells’ defeated Lordswood by the same score to lift the Kent Senior Trophy for the first time in 25 years on their last visit to Longmead Stadium.

Tonbridge Angels, meanwhile, finished their second Conference South campaign in sixteen-place.

“After last year, I’d be disappointed if it’s not a well-supported game,” said Warrilow.

“Tunbridge Wells done fantastic last year in the FA Vase – let’s hope there’s a few more supporters that followed them in the Vase.  They’re not going to keep them all.

“There’s some local interest in the game. It’s the first time we’ve put it as a first-team fixture because we’ve been away on a tour or been using it to look at trialists’ but we had a chat and we’ll give them the respect of what they did last year and I’ll put a first-team squad out.

“It will be interesting to see how it goes after last season. The fixture will create a lot more interest than what it would have done in previous seasons.”

Warrilow has made five summer signings and his faces have settled in well after returning to pre-season training last week.

“We’ve only just got back, everyone has come back as you’d expect and looked after themselves,” revealed Warrilow.

“The new signings have met the boys, blended in and worked hard.

“All you can do is work them really hard and get them as fit as possible; get them organised and then the games come thick and fast. The games is what we obviously need. It’s a good start.”

Tonbridge Angels begin their third Conference South campaign at home to Boreham Wood on 17 August, before travelling to Eastbourne Borough three days’ later, before welcoming their Kent rivals and bogey team Bromley to Longmead Stadium on 24 August.

When asked his thoughts on the start, Warrilow quipped: “Just thank God it’s not Maidenhead!  Every year we’ve had Maidenhead!”

Warrilow added: “It’s a different start, a difficult start. Boreham Wood, Eastbourne and Bromley. First three games. Three sides that have invested heavily and have got a good squad together.

“Last year wasn’t the best year for us but it wasn’t just us – it was half a league that was involved in a relegation scrap in the last four games.

“It was a tight league and we’re just grateful that we had enough quality to stay in it, because the two sides that came up (Billericay Town and AFC Hornchurch) unfortunately went straight back down into the Ryman Premier!

“I didn’t really care who we got on the opening day because Boreham Wood are a difficult side. They finished strong last year and with a pre-season under their belts they’re going to be full-strength. They picked up some bad injuries which hampered their progress in making the play-offs.

“Our three opening games are going to be difficult, difficult games.”

Warrilow knows the Conference South will be an even stronger league this coming season, with club’s like relegated Ebbsfleet United and promoted Whitehawk spending big money to join the non-league elite in the Conference Premier.

He said: “The teams that have come down and the teams that have come up – we know Whitehawk are heavily backed financially - so it’s going to be even stronger this year.”

Warrilow will once again be running with a small squad and is on the look-out for one more player to finalise his squad.

“I’m looking for another defensive player,” he said. “I’ve got a few lads coming down that’s looking to impress.  At the moment we’ve got movement for one more.

“I’m not panicking because I’m looking for that competition in defence. I’ve got competition in midfield, upfront, wide areas and the goalkeeping department. I’d just like a little bit more competition in central defensive areas.

“I’m going with 17 players I believe. I’ve always had that. It’s nothing new to us. We’re not going to have a 20-man squad. I’ve got to pay some lads some half decent money to come here and if I’d done that with everyone I’d have about ten players. I’ve got to use the budget wisely.  I think I’ve have over the last three years. The main problem I’ve always had a bad injury – I’ve never had someone turn their ankle. 

“I can’t predict that’s going to happen. If I knew that I wouldn’t sign players. It’s just that little bit of lady luck. If I can go a season without having a major injury then that will help me massively.  The boys that I’m bringing in have contracts and if you have injuries you have to pay them. We haven’t got the resources to pay them and bring somebody else in. That’s the way it is!

“We’ve always had the same sort of squad. We’ve signed some hungrier players this year, I believe, and I’m looking forward to pre-season.  The off-season has gone really quickly for me and I can’t wait to get some games going with the lads and have a look at the lads how we shape up with our patterns etc.”

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

Tonbridge Angels  v  Tunbridge Wells
Pre-Season Friendly
Saturday 13^th July 2013
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JF