We have surprised a few people this year, says Tonbridge Angels boss Tommy Warrilow

TONBRIDGE ANGELS boss Tommy Warrilow says he wants to finish their campaign with a larger than normal crowd against Dorchester Town tomorrow.



The Angels lie a respectable tenth-place in their first season at Blue Square Bet (Conference) South level and welcome Dorchester Town, who are one place and one point better off, to Longmead Stadium tomorrow, before finishing their campaign with a trip to Boreham Wood on 28 April.

As soon as the club were promoted out of the Ryman Premier League, following their two enthralling play-off wins over Harrow Borough and Lowestoft Town, many wanted the club to finish one place above the relegation zone.

But Warrilow challenged his players’ to exceed all expectations from their supporters’ and the 47-year-old is disappointed with his side’s midtable finish.

He said: “We wanted to make an impact this year. I know everyone was settling for us to finish fifth-from-bottom.  I would never set my team a target like that! We’ve more than done our expectations this year.

“Next year we’ve not put ourselves under pressure, but we’ve done well this year, so we’ll be looking to improve on it next year.”

Warrilow has already tied down Lee Worgan, Sonny Miles, Ollie Schulz, Chris Piper, Lee Browning, Nathan Koranteng and leading goalscorer Frannie Collin to contracts next season.

But the manager doesn’t have a budget like some club’s in the division and will have to live within his means.

Attendances at Longmead Stadium, however, have increased this season and the club average crowds of 662 – the tenth highest supported club in the division.

“The crowds are a massive plus for us,” said Warrilow.  “We’ve gone from 500 last year to 662 this year, so it’s a step in the right direction, but there’s still a lot more work to do to get more.

“To get the sorts of budgets down here to compete against the likes of Dover, Chelmsford and Woking, we’re not going to moan, jump up and down and throw our toys out of the pram because this is our first step at this level. It’s the highest we’ve ever been. 

“Many other clubs around us have been in this league and above and they’re used to the way things run. We’re slowly, slowly doing it and that’s the right way to do it.

“There’s a nice atmosphere (around the club) with how well we’ve done.  Don’t get me wrong, we want to push on but if we had done it this year we may have caused a few (financial) problems.”

Warrilow added: “The main thing for us is we haven’t come in just to make the numbers up. I think this year perhaps we have surprised a few people.”

When asked about his plans for next season, Warrilow will sit down with his chairman to discuss budgets.

He said: “I have to speak to Steve Churcher and see what budgeting things we’re going on next year and we’ll go from there. I’m sure there will be playing flying about. I know a few who want to come. It’s whether or not we can tempt them down here.

“We are, whether we like it or not, not ready to take the next level up, where as some of the teams, the crowds, the budgets, the Dover’s and Woking’s are.  Welling have been up there. You look at teams above you in the league, they have a bit of history (in this league).  This is our first toe in the water regarding playing at this level.

“Don’t get me wrong, next year I’ll be going for the play-offs again and pushing the lads on, but we have to make sure we don’t get too carried away and sometimes if you push on sometimes that can do the club more harm than good.

“Of course my job is to make that problem (in going up to the Conference Premier via the play-offs).   We’re not pleased we’ve not made them. I’m gutted because I wanted to make the play-offs and we’re all disappointed there. 

“Once we get there, that’s my bit down.  It’s over to the other side (the board) of it then.

Looking ahead to tomorrow’s game against Dorchester Town, Warrilow wants to sign off with a home win in front of a bigger than normal crowd.

Warrilow praised the club’s faithful, by saying, “I think they’ve been fantastic this year.  Since last year’s miserable start and the way we finished, I think the club has learnt a lot, grown a lot.

“There’s been some poor performances. I think overall the majority of fans have appreciated how well we’ve done.  I think they’ve really enjoyed it, but next year we’re looking to improve and I know they are and we want to do the best we can and have some good days out like we had last season.”

Meanwhile, Crystal Palace visit Longmead Stadium next Wednesday, 25^th April (7:45pm) for a benefit match for injured defender Scott Gooding.

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ websites: www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk  & www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk  

Tonbridge Angels  v  Dorchester Town
Blue Square Bet South
Saturday 21^st April 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Longmead Stadium, Darenth Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN10 3JF