Tonbridge Angels under 16's celebrate an unbeaten 2015

TONBRIDGE ANGELS’ under 16’s manager Jay Stubberfield spoke of his pride after his side remained unbeaten during 2015.

The Angels won 5-0 away to Faversham Town today in the Kent Cup and sit proudly at the top of the tree of the Kent Youth League Under 16 Central Division table going into the New Year.

Stubberfield’s side have played 25 competitive games in 2015, have won 22 of them and drawn three, scoring 101 goals and conceded 17.

“After today’s 5-0 win away to Faversham on the Kent Cup, Tonbridge Angels’ under 16s have managed to remain unbeaten in 2015,” said a proud Stubberfield, 24.

“We managed to win the League and Cup double for the second successive season and currently sit top of the League and in the last eight of both Cups.

“We play in the Kent Youth League which is the highest standard of youth football outside of professional status in Kent and regularly play other semi-professional and senior status clubs.

“Although it’s nice to win games and go on these types of winning runs, the real job is seeing players develop and helping them to reach their potential.

“The team train twice a week and the work ethic of the players is incredible – the main factor behind the scenes.

“From our squad of 17 players, six of them represent Kent Under 16s which is the maximum they can select from one team and a further two players represent Kent Schools Under 16s.

“Numerous players have gone on trial to professional clubs but decided to stay with us because of the opportunities they are getting with us.

“The majority of our squad also make up the Under 18 Ryman Youth League side which gives them the opportunity to play against older, more physical and better players and teams and at stadiums on a regular basis, which helps bridge the gap between youth and senior football.

“Two players are already in our reserve side, which play in the Suburban Premier League giving them their first experience of adult football.”

The aim for Stubberfield’s players are to follow in the footsteps of both John Heath and Sonny Miles and to progress into the first team squad.

He said: “I’m aware that the step up to the first team level is a big jump and a huge amount of work still needs to be done, but if the players’ keep working hard I’m confident you’ll see many players from this group make the grade in the first team and hopefully beyond.”

Meanwhile, Tonbridge Angels’ first team manager Steve McKimm  yesterday signed a new contract to keep him at Longmead Stadium until the end of season 2016-17.

Chairman Steve Churcher told www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk: “I’m very pleased that Steve has put pen to paper which means he will be leading the first team for the next 18 months.

“I know supporters will be very pleased with this news as Steve has brought a vitality to our play that has entertained us and brought more spectators through the gate.”

McKimm, who joined the club in May 2014 from Sutton United, where he had been assistant manager, added: “This is a terrific club where the supporters are fantastic, the volunteers work hard, and the board have backed me 100%.

“I’m excited at the thought of leading the players, all of whom always give me total effort, for this and next season. Let’s see where that takes us!”

In his first season at Longmead Stadium, McKimm oversaw something of a relegation fight with the Kent side finishing just one place above the drop zone in the Ryman Premier League.

However, this season has seen a marked improvement with the club sitting in fourth-place, battling it out for the title going into the vital festive campaign.

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