Tonbridge Angels confirm groundshare deal with Ide Hill and relaunch Women's side

TONBRIDGE ANGELS have announced that local Kent County League Premier Division side Ide Hill will be playing their home matches at Longmead Stadium next season.

 

Newly-appointed Tonbridge Angels chair Sophie Purves said in a statement: “We are very happy to be sharing our ground with Ide Hill Football Club.

“They are a well-run, local Kent County League club, who share our community ethos and have ambitions to climb up the leagues.

“We look forward to them joining us and we hope they enjoy a successful centenary season.

“Flexibility from our primary pitch hire partner, Tonbridge Juniors Football Club, has allowed this groundshare to take place.  Thanks go to Reg Spicer and Mark Roberts for helping to make this happen.”

Ide Hill club secretary Clare Dance added: “Ide Hill Football Club would like to thank Tonbridge Angels for enabling us to secure this exciting groundshare.

“We are so thrilled with the partnership, which will help our club progress in the future.  We can’t wait for the season ahead.”

Admission prices for Ide Hill home games have been set at £5, while Tonbridge Angels season ticket holders can watch the eleventh-tier action for £3.

Meanwhile, the National League South club have relaunched their women’s team next season and will be entering the South East Counties League.

The team will be managed by UEFA B Licenced coach Joe Rowe.

Rowe was part of the coaching team at Aylesford for three years, managing  both their first and second teams and most recently has been first team coach at Gillingham Women.

“I’m really pleased to be involved in setting up Tonbridge Angels Women’s team at what is a very exciting time for the club more broadly,” said Rowe in a statement.

“From speaking with Sophie Purves and hearing about the clear ambitions the club has for its Women’s section, it was an easy decision for me.

“Danny Turner (my assistant manager) and I are very much looking forward to working together to build a competitive side that matches that level of ambition, while helping to secure a pathway into adult football for local girls, something which we both feel strongly about.”

Purves added: “This is another really exciting phase in the club’s history.  We have been working hard to bring this to fruition for many months and to have a women’s team playing at Longmead Stadium next season is fantastic.

“This team will provide a clear pathway for the girls currently playing for Tonbridge Junior Football Club and will give them something to aspire to.

“We are ambitious and committed to being as successful as possible, which is evident in our appointment of Joe and Danny as our new women’s management team.  Both coaches have UEFA B Licence and will be setting high standards from the start.

“We welcome Joe Rowe and Danny Turner to the club and the squad of players they will be assembling over the coming months.”

The club has confirmed that admission prices will be £5 for adults and free for under 16s.

Tonbridge Angels play on a 3G FIFA Quality Pro surface.

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