I will be pushing Clark Masters all the way, vows Scott Chalmers-Stevens

GOALKEEPER Scott Chalmers-Stevens says he will fight for the number one jersey at Longmead Stadium after being appointed as player goalkeeper coach last week.

Tonbridge Angels manager Tommy Warrilow appointed the 27-year-old as coach after parting company with Terry Sedge.

Chalmers-Stevens was Lee Worgan’s understudy last season and also played for Kent League double winners Erith & Belvedere on a dual-registration.

Worgan opted to drop down a league to sign for bitter-rivals Maidstone United, who clinched promotion back to the Ryman Premier League after beating Folkestone Invicta and Faversham Town at home in the play-offs after finishing runners-up to Dulwich Hamlet after 42 games.

Warrilow reacted by signing Hastings-born Clark Masters, 25, from league rivals Havant & Waterlooville.

Masters, who went to the same Hastings school as Gareth Barry, started his career at Brentford, making 12 appearances between 2004-2008 and Tonbridge Angels’ is his fourteenth club, including loan spells.

Chalmers-Stevens’ former clubs’, meanwhile, include Watford and Margate.

“Tommy and I met in the week to discuss next season and after long discussion I was offered the combined role of first team goalkeeper coach and goalkeeper starting in July,” said Chalmers-Stevens.

“I’m extremely excited to be joining a great coaching team with Tommy and Obes (assistant manager Alex O’Brien), both are really great guys who have shown great belief in me to take over from Sedgy who had done a great job at the club!

“He is a great guy who I enjoyed working with last season alongside my good friend Lee Worgan.

“I coach full-time with Pro Soccer Academy which I run with my partner Craig Smith and will be looking to develop myself as first team coach at senior level.

“I am still only 27 and in good shape, so will be pushing Clarky all the way next year. He’s a good lad who I’ve had experience working with at my time with Hastings.  Should be very exciting year ahead with a lot of last years’ squad already committed as well as a few new additions.”

The Angels are preparing for their third Conference South campaign after finishing ninth and sixteenth.

Warrilow’s side reached the Kent Senior Cup Final last season but suffered a 7-1 humiliation by League One outfit Charlton Athletic in the club’s last game of the season.

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