CREDIT CRUNCH: Changes will be made, says concerned Angels chairman

CHEESED-OFF Tonbridge Angels chairman, Nick Sullivan, says changes will be made at the club within the next seven days, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Angels have been knocked out of both the FA Cup and FA Carlsberg Trophy at the first attempt and in this current economic downturn, Mr Sullivan insists changes have to be made at the Ryman Premier League club.

A crowd of 372 saw the club exit the FA Carlsberg Trophy today, going down to a disappointing 3-2 home defeat to fellow Kent side, Ramsgate.

Add to that their FA Cup first qualifying round exit at the hands of another Kent side, Dover Athletic, in September, the west Kent club are cutting their cloth now to avoid troubled times ahead.

Crowds at the Betterview Longmead Stadium are down 18.9% compared to last season, as fans find it difficult to make ends meet, thanks to the current credit crunch.

The club have re-signed central defender, Scott Gooding, after almost a year at Fisher Athletic, where he was a full-time player.

Gooding has had his contract terminated by the Blue Square South club, who also appear to be suffering financially, especially with average home gates of just 176, sharing at Dulwich Hamlet’s Champion Hill ground.

Mr Sullivan, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk following his club’s FA Carlsberg Trophy exit, says manager, Tommy Warrilow must make some big decisions this week.

“On the day, we didn’t deserve it,” said the chairman. “All credit to Jim (Ward) and Ramsgate, but with the squad we’ve got and the capabilities within our squad, that is totally not acceptable!”

The club have picked up NOTHING from the Football Association in prize money this season, but Mr Sullivan insists he - or vice-chairman Garry Pass - will not put the club’s future at risk.

“Going out of Cup competitions doesn’t help,” explained Mr Sullivan. “You don’t budget for it, but it’s all nice to have some Cup money.

“We’ve had nothing in two cups. We’ve backed Tommy again this week getting Scott Gooding back, but Tommy has to cut the squad.

“There’s too many (players) here, he knows that and there has to be player movements.”

When asked how many, the chairman replied, “ One, maybe two. It’s not a bottomless pit and yes, going out of the cup does affect your finances and we’ve got to cut our cloth accordingly. There will be at least one (player) going, maybe two.”

Mr Sullivan believes players are not pulling their weight, but insists he will NOT part company with Warrilow.

“We’re not badly situated in the league and we’ve probably played well twice all season,” he said.

“We have the players, we certainly have the management. We’re united off the pitch, but on it we’re not getting what we deserve.

“One way or another, it’ll have to change.

“There’s not a problem with Tommy. Tommy’s come here and done extremely well and at the moment it’s a tough time.

“It’s easy to point the finger at the board or the management but it’s the players that cross the white line.

“We’ve got a better squad of players that we had last season, boys (that have played) at a higher level, but they’re the ones letting the club down at the moment. They’re not performing and it can’t continue.”

With Kent clubs like Folkestone Invicta and Margate fearing for their futures, Mr Sullivan has reassured fans of the club’s future, despite the credit crunch biting.

“Of course it affects finances, we’re very wary of that,” said Mr Sullivan.

“One thing for certain, the club will not put itself in trouble. We will only spend what we’ve got.

“At the moment, we’re over budget and that will be addressed this week and we’ll cut our cloth accordingly.

“It’s not a bottomless pit. What we get through the gate does NOT cover HALF the wages, simple as that.

“We’re not the only football club like that. A lot of football clubs are like that, but we’re lucky we have good sponsorship but times are hard, everything’s down so yes, (the credit crunch) will affect things.”

The chairman insists it’s down to Warrilow to decide who will bite the bullet.

“We gave Tommy a budget to reflect the average gates that we thought (we’d attract this season), explained Mr Sullivan.

“They are down, we’re lucky that a lot of the sponsorships are coming through. Obviously Garry and I support the club.

“Tommy’s brought in Scott Gooding on the understanding that one or maybe two go, simple as. We’re not going to carry more than what we need to.

“Tommy knows what he has to do, it’s his decision. We don’t interfere in team affairs, never have done, never will. That’s Tommy’s decision.”

Tonbridge Angels, whose ambitions this term is to clinch promotion via the play-offs, are currently sitting in ninth place in the Ryman Premier League table, with 20 points from 12 games. They are ten points adrift of league leaders, Dover Athletic, but only two adrift of fifth placed side, Canvey Island.

Mr Sullivan demands maximum points from the visit of seventh placed side Boreham Wood, next Saturday, 25th October.