Tonbridge Angels boss Tommy Warrilow set to give promoted side a chance

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow has tonight unveiled the members of his promotion winning squad that will be with the club for their inaugural Blue Square Bet South campaign, writes Stephen McCartney.

Jake Beecroft, Lee Browning, Frannie Collin, Chris Henry, Scott Kinch, Sonny Miles, Lewis Taylor, Danny Walder and Lee Worgan have all put pen to paper to remain at Longmead Stadium.

Former Chatham Town, Gillingham and Dover Athletic striker, Collin was the club’s leading goalscorer last season, scoring 21 goals from 42 starts, and the Angels’ faithful will be delighted that influential skipper Kinch will be given a chance at the higher level, having played in the play-off final win over Lowestoft Town with a broken wrist.

Hastings based goalkeeper Worgan, who scooped the supporters and players’ player-of-the-year awards last Friday, was the first to put pen to paper immediately after the club’s play-off final success, having kept seventeen clean sheets in the Ryman Premier League last season.

But striker Carl Rook, who has scored 68 goals from 90 starts since his move from Horsham, is one of a number of players who haven’t re-signed – yet.

Warrilow unveiled his first summer signing, as central midfielder Tim Olorunda, 26, returns, having made 195 appearances, scoring 12 goals, in three spells with his home-town club, Hastings United.

Tonbridge Angels supporters’ will know all about Tim Olorunda, as he played for the west Kent club for the entire 2008-09 season.

A strong, enthusiastic and tireless central midfielder, Tim started with Hastings as a youth and reserve team regular, before departing in search of first team action with St Leonards and Rye & Iden United.

He re-joined Hastings in June 2005 and quickly became an integral part of the first team line-up, but spent the 2008-09 season with Tonbridge Angels, before returning to Hastings for his third spell in July 2009 and being named captain four games into the new season.

He is the younger brother of striker Ade, who hasn’t yet re-signed for the Angels, having scored the winning goal in Tonbridge Angels’ heroic 3-2 extra-time win over Harrow Borough in the semi-finals of the Ryman Premier League play-offs.

Warrilow, who has signed a new two-year contract, was quick to play down speculation about other members of last year’s squad not mentioned, notably second-choice goalkeeper, Joe Hagan, defenders Jon Heath, Ben Judge, midfielders Chris Piper, Fraser Logan, and strikers Adrian Stone, Ade Olorunda and Rook.

“I still have to speak with several members of last year’s squad,” Warrilow told www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk.

“Just because players haven’t been mentioned, it doesn’t mean that they are not part of our plans for next season.

“I thought fans would appreciate an update of the position so far and I hope to issue a further update later this week, early next week.”

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