You can't blame them for leaving, admits Gibbons

Steve Gibbons, the assistant manager at Tunbridge Wells, has defended striker Dave Hassett and midfielder Richard Radbourne for leaving Culverden Stadium, writes Stephen McCartney.

The pair trained with Wells’ Kent League rivals Erith & Belvedere at Danson Park last Thursday night, and are expected to put pen to paper for the Deres.

But Gibbons explained to www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk that the pair will benefit by playing for a club closer to home.

“Dave and Richard both found it tough to get over for training last season,” he said. “Money wasn’t a big problem with these guys but the travelling midweek was a struggle.

“Yes, you can say they knew who they were signing for, but sometimes when you are at work and you end up getting held up when you’re trying to get out to football is a pain in the backside as you don’t get there on time or have to miss out on the session.

“They both work in London and travel down together, so on training nights we start at 7:30pm and train until 9pm.

“Once you’ve had a shower and are changed then it’s half-nine (and) usually after training there is a bit of a chat in the clubhouse about Saturday’s game so they get away about ten.

“On a good run after dropping Richard off, I would think Dave was walking through his front door between eleven or half-past even - that’s a long day.



HOME COMFORTS:  Dave Hassett, who joined Tunbridge Wells from Greenwich Borough during last season, is expected to sign for Welling based Kent League rivals Erith & Belvedere
Photograph courtesy of www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk

“Sometimes you have to do what’s right for homelife too. It’s a shame because they are both top fellas.

“So for the record this one really isn’t down to money - five minutes from the door and playing at the same level makes good sense to me!”

Visit club websites: 

www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk & www.erithandbelvederefc.co.uk