Kentish Football 
Tonbridge Angels bring in former Horsham skipper Ben Andrews
Friday 03rd June 2011
TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow has unveiled his second summer signing today by bringing former Horsham skipper Ben Andrews to the Blue Square Bet South club, writes Stephen McCartney.
Horsham based Andrews, 30, has agreed terms and has put pen to paper on a one-year contract at the Longmead Stadium club.
The central defender is a sales manager who works in Tonbridge for one day a week - and has previous experience in Conference Premier and Conference South football during his time at St Albans City.
He started his career as a professional at Brighton & Hove Albion, before switching to Worthing, before being snapped up by St Albans City ten years ago.
He joined Horsham from Worthing in 2009, but he had the remaining two years of his contact cancelled by the Hornets by mutual agreement last Wednesday, citing his desire to “play for a side who will be pushing for promotion” as the reason for his departure.
Andrews, who was speaking to Horsham’s website www.hornetsreview.co.uk, explained why he quit the club.
He said: “It was a difficult and disappointing decision for me to make. Horsham are my local club and I’m proud to have served as club captain, but my decision has been purely down to the change in the club’s circumstances over the last 6-8 weeks.
“The club has taken the decision to make financial cutbacks that will affect the whole team and, at this stage of my career, I want to be playing in a side that’s going to be competitive and pushing for promotion.
“Of course, being committed to a contract for another two years probably isn’t beneficial to the club in the current situation either so it is probably best in both cases if I walk away.”
Horsham, who only just escaped relegation from the Ryman Premier League by six points when they finished in seventeenth place, parted company with full-time manager John Maggs after eleven years last month due to budget cuts and they unveiled former Faversham Town boss, Justin Luchford, 34, as their new manager on Wednesday night.
Warrilow, 46, wasn’t at Horsham (as Magg’s number two) when Andrews played for the club, but knows what the defender can bring to the party.
Cuxton-based Warrilow said: “He’s a very strong player. I know he will be a massive hit down at the club.
“He was a pro at Brighton as a young lad, he’s been in the Conference and Conference South. Speaking to John Maggs he was sought after by quite a few clubs.
“I met up with him, had a chat with him. He’s a sensible lad, he’s 30-years-old as well. His aerial strength and presence will be massive for us next year.”
“I’m just really pleased to get him, with his experience as well, but he is just a strong lad. He attacks everything like he means it and he scores goals as well, which is what I’ve been saying I need more from my central defenders when they go up for set pieces.
“I was looking for another central defender who was within our budget. There was another one but unfortunately I couldn’t really afford him but I was going to try to bring both of them in so I just sat him down, had a good chat with Ben and I’m glad he’s come on board.
“I didn’t realise how many clubs were interested in him – with all the unrest at Horsham it’s great to have Ben on board.”
With three centre halves now signed up for next season (Ben Judge and Sonny Miles being the other two), Warrilow hasn’t yet decided whether he will play the trio in a three-man defence or will be forced to drop one in a back four.
“Young Sonny in there, he’s got a couple of experienced heads in around him,” said Warrilow.
When asked about his tactics, the Angels boss said: “I’m not sure. We’re going to get everyone in and work on a couple of systems.
“I’m not frightened to go three at the back and I’m not frightened to do a four but we’ll have a look first and see how we shape up in the pre-season. I’ve got no qualms about playing the three of them because they’re three big lads.
“I’m fully aware that some teams will be a little bit direct than others so we’ll need a lot of aerial ability at the back.”
But being at Tonbridge is good career move for the West Sussex based defender.
“At this stage of his career he doesn’t want to stand still. He wants to try and go to a club that’s progressing and obviously I’ve met up with him and he’s heard what we’re trying to do at our place and he wants to become part of it so I’m more than happy of filling that gap.
Warrilow stressed he wants his squad completed by the time they report back for pre-season training on 2 July.
He said: “I’m trying to get the work done as quickly as I can and I would say one, hopefully two players shy of doing my lot and that’s it and I’ll wait until the season starts and hopefully go knocking on the (boardroom) door once we get some funds in and add to the squad.”
Visit Tonbridge Angels’ website: www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk
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