Tonbridge Angels sign Lewis Hamilton

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow has pulled off a major coup, by bringing Lewis Hamilton to the club, writes Stephen McCartney.

But before thousands of motor racing fans descend on Longmead Stadium for next Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Blue Square South newcomers AFC Wimbledon, Warrilow is delighted to have captured the 23-year-old Lewes full-back on a one-year contract.

“He’s name was mentioned during the off-season,” the former Horsham assistant manager told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“Obviously there’s a big Lewes connection at the club now.

“We thought he was going to move back to Derby but as soon as we heard he wasn’t, he joined us for pre-season.

“He’s CV is second to none. He’s played in the Championship with Queen’s Park Rangers, but he’s played top level of non-league football and he’ll be an asset to the squad, as he can play both full-back positions, giving us cover either side.”

www.kentishfootball.co.uk has tonight gone through plenty of pages on Google to find some information about Lewis Hamilton, the footballer.

He was a YTS at his home-town club Derby County and made just one first team appearance for Queen’s Park Rangers during season 2004-05.

It was felt at the time that the full-back needed regular first team football, which Rangers were unable to offer him due to the excellent form of Marcus Bignot at right-back. Also, the arrival of Dominic Shimmin had pushed Hamilton away from the first team.

But in March 2006, Hamilton received the man-of-the-match award as he helped Aldershot Town’s reserves secure a 3-2 win over the Hoops at Loftus Road.




LIFE IN THE FAST LANE: Tonbridge Angels have signed full-back Lewis Hamilton on a one-year contract. Here he is playing for Aldershot Town’s reserves against his former side Queen’s Park Rangers in March 2006.
Photograph courtesy of www.theshots.co.uk.

Such performances helped Hamilton push for a place in the Shots’ first team and he subsequently moved to Lewes, where he helped the east Sussex club to promotion into the Blue Square Premier last season.

Hamilton, due to obvious reasons, received plenty of national media attention back in November 2007, whilst preparing for Lewes’ FA Cup first round trip to Mansfield Town.

Mirror journalist, Mike Walters, wrote in his preview to the game: “Lewis Hamilton drives a Vauxhall Astra, has no chance of winning Sports Personality of the Year and could be playing at full-back against Mansfield in the FA Cup.

“Until his namesake in a boiler suit hitched a lift in a fast car from the Formula One paddock and draped himself in chequered flags, the quickest man called Lewis Hamilton in this country was at Conference South minnows Lewes.

“Rooks (then) manager Steve King says Hamilton can sprint 100 meters in less than 11 seconds.”

Hamilton, released by Derby County and Queen’s Park Rangers as a teenager, said in the interview: “As you can imagine, I get a lot of ribbing about my name now - and there’s a reminder of it every time I walk into the clubhouse (as there’s a picture of the other Lewis Hamilton, just after he’s won a race, at the bar).”

Back to now, Luke Piscina, has also signed a one-year deal with the Angels, after impressing Warrilow during pre-season.

Since leaving the club, under Tony Dolby’s reign, Piscina has played for Sevenoaks Town and Dartford in the past couple of years.

“Luke asked to do a pre-season with us, which was the first time I’ve met the lad,” explained Warrilow.

“He’s a really nice boy, wants to learn and listen. He’s signed a deal for a year and we’re trying to get Luke to get his career back on track.

“He’s a very young lad and has plenty of time to get his head down and have a successful career still.”

Warrilow, however, is keeping tight lipped concerning the decision to part company with former Bromley and Cray Wanderers’ left-back, Matt Lovell.

He said: “It’s an internal matter that we’ve dealt with and it will stay internal.”

The Angels continued their preparation for their promotion chasing campaign with a 1-1 home draw against Eastbourne Borough, a side that’s been promoted into the Blue Square Premier.

“Yesterday was our first sort of test against a strong Eastbourne side and I’m delighted with the outcome of it,” he said.

“We had a few knocks and niggles, which restricted the numbers and at the end we were tiring a little bit. They had eight changes to our four but we held on and I was pleased with the result and not getting beat - we created clear cut chances, which was refreshing.”

Warrilow praised the trio that he signed from Hastings United, goalkeeper Lee Worgan and the Olorunda brothers, Ade and Tim.

“There was a bit off stick why are we buying players from the bottom etc, but the fans saw yesterday what good players they are,” said Warrilow.

And the forum reading manager is looking forward to their opening day visit to Wealdstone’s Grosvenor Vale ground.

The August 16^th clash will be the Stones’ first Ryman League game at their new Ruislip base.

“I saw it on the internet, it looks really nice,” praised the Angels boss. “I’m glad we’re going there early doors, on a nice pitch, to suite our style of play.

Warrilow said that Michael Phillips (three matches) and Anthony Story (one) are both suspended for the start, although Storey is already ruled out for up to three weeks with knee ligament damage, that was picked up in last week’s friendly against Beckenham Town.

Phillips is also suffering with a foot injury and Leon Legge was forced off during yesterday’s game due to a sore ankle.

Warrilow needs to finalise a deal with former Folkestone Invicta and Horsham player Stuart Myall.

He added: “We’re just waiting to hear from Stuart Myall. He’s going away for three weeks now but when he comes back we’ll have a chat. “

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering the Angels’ pre-season friendly against AFC Wimbledon at Longmead Stadium on Saturday, 2^nd August.

Visit Tonbridge Angels' websites:  www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk & www.tonbridgeafc.co.uk/forum