We are keeping our eyes fully on the purse strings, says Warrilow

Thursday 15th July 2010

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow says his squad will have to cope with the expectations that they will have to life up to this coming season, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Angels kick-off their pre-season campaign with a home clash against Brentford, billed as the return of former defender Leon Legge, who impressed during his first season at Griffin Park.

The 25-year-old, central defender arrived at Longmead from Lewes in May 2008 and made a total of 39 appearances for the west Kent club, scoring 10 goals.

Warrilow sold Legge to League One side Brentford for an undisclosed transfer fee last summer and he made an immediate impact at Griffin Park, making 31 first team appearances and scoring three goals for the Bees.

“Leon’s done brilliant, he’s took the bull by the horns and really took the chance,” Warrilow told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.

“I don’t think he could have done any better. He’s got a player-of-the-year award down there.

“We actually watched him play at Millwall and he’s doing really well so the main thing is I know he’s being spoken of in the right way, the right terms, and he’s had a great first season and I hope he can really build on that.

“I’ve said from day one, I think he can go all the way. It’s not after the horse has bolted saying that but the people there have improved him even more with full-time training and all those sloppy habits that you have in non-league are being knocked out of him gradually and I hear he’s building himself a reputation and as a player it’s all you can do.

“I personally think there’s centre halves playing at the highest level that do things that Leggy is more than capable of doing.”

Legge is looking forward to facing his former team mates for the first time.

“It’s always nice to return to an old club, especially one where I had one of my best seasons and got my move (to Brentford) in the first place,” he told www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk.

“I hope there are plenty of supporters and I hope it’s a good day and a good match and I can play against some of the old lads who are still there.

“I would just like to say I never really got to say a public thank you to Tommy and Cliff (Cant) and everyone at the club who helped me in my time there.”

Saturday’s game will be the first time that the expectant Longmead faithful will see Warrilow’s impressive summer signings.

“It’s obviously the top-of-the-bill regarding stature and everything,” Warrilow said of the Brentford bash.

“We’ve been working on our fitness for the last week or so. The game’s a little bit early than anticipated but obviously it’s a fixture that everyone should be looking forward to.

Warrilow added: “The off-season couldn’t have gone any better. We’ve only had five sessions so I hope the fans aren’t expecting too much from us on Saturday. There will be bits what we’re capable of doing this year and there’s going to be bits when we’re not, which is part and parcel of pre-season.

“The calibre of player that has come down this year, I’m as excited as the fans are. I know the board are and everyone is.

“We have to make sure we keep the levels of expectations to a degree of sensibility really.

“Good players on paper don’t make a good side. I’ve got to make sure they all gel and blend in and that’s going to take a little bit of time.”

Despite this being the Angels’ opening warm-up game, Warrilow revealed that around 17 players will face full-time Brentford.

“I haven’t got a massive squad, I haven’t got a great big list of trialists,” he said. “I’ve only got four so I will be looking at them and try and get the squad to gel as soon as possible and the only way we’re going to do that is through playing together.”

Warrilow insists his chairman has NOT found bundles of cash underneath his floorboards.

He said: “We are keeping our eyes fully focused on the purse strings so making sure we won’t overstretch ourselves.

“Lewis Taylor signed for us on Saturday and that was an unexpected pleasure really. I didn’t expect him to want to sign for us but when someone like that comes and wants to play for you, you’d be ridiculous to turn that down.

“I’ve spoken to the board and that was another one I wasn’t expected to have. We haven’t had every lad from last year turn up yet so the boys that I included in the budget there’s one or two that haven’t turned up so their money has gone in towards Lewis Taylor.

“I can’t say how many players are coming in. At the moment I’ve got a good 15 and if I can add one or two before (the season) then great. If not it will have to be when the time is right.”

Meanwhile, the club have confirmed the admission prices for this game - £10 (adults), £5 (concessions) and £3 (under 14s).

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game

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

Tonbridge Angels v Brentford

Pre-Season Friendly

Saturday 17th July 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Kent TN10 3JW