Herne Bay sign Tom Phipp: It made complete sense for me to join them at a really ambitious time for the club

HERNE BAY manager Ben Smith has pulled off another summer transfer coup by signing former Tonbridge Angels midfielder Tom Phipp, 28.

Phipp began his career within Arsenal’s youth ranks before being released and signing for Ebbsfleet United as an seventeen-year-old back in 2010.

Phipp moved to Maidstone United on loan in November 2013 before being sold to Isthmian League Premier Division side Margate for a four-figure transfer fee in February 2014.

He moved to then Isthmian League Premier Division rivals Tonbridge Angels and he took time out of the game in July 2017 to start a career in marketing after taking his degree.

After a spell with Crowborough Athletic in the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division, Phipp moved to Cray Wanderers in the summer of 2018 helping Tony Russell’s side clinch the Isthmian League South East Division title in 2019.

When the Isthmian League campaign was curtailed in 2020, Phill returned to Tonbridge Angels in National League South before that campaign was brought to a halt as clubs suffered from a lack of funding which they thought was promised throughout the 2020-21 campaign by the UK Government.

“Tom is a great addition to our squad,” Smith told Herne Bay's website.

“He’s got all the ingredients that we have been looking to add for some time and will really complement what we have.

“It’s another addition hat has a wealth of experience and knows what it takes to be a part of a successful team.”

Phipp is delighted to sign for the Winch’s Field outfit, who play two levels lower in the Isthmian League South East Division.

“There’s some great bits of work going on behind the scenes that will help propel the club forwards and after the various late-night phone calls with Ben Smith and (chairman) Stuart Fitchie, it made complete sense for me to join them at a really ambitious time for the club,” said Phipp.

“The club, management and all other staff have a clear direction mapped out.

“After a couple of dead-end seasons, there is going to be a lot of ambitious clubs, players and management teams ready to take on the new campaign and I believe Herne Bay falls right into the category.

“I’m really looking forward to joining the group at this exciting time so bring on the new season.”

The 2019-20 and 2020-21 Isthmian League South East Division campaigns did not finish due to the coronavirus health pandemic.

Visit Herne Bay’s website: www.hernebayfootballclub.co.uk