The new Board at Tonbridge Angels FC was formally introduced to supporters at the open meeting held at Longmead this evening.
The 90 fans who attended heard a joint statement from the exiting Chairman and Vice Chairman before the new Board of Directors and Manager Tommy Warrilow took the floor.
The main points that came out from the statements and as a result of fans questions were:
> Although the new Board will actually run the Club, Nick Sullivan and Garry Pass still currently hold 100% of the Club shareholding and will do so until the right people come in with the right investments.
> Despite leaving, Garry has made a significant contribution to the 2009/10 playing budget as well as funding the new perimeter fence.
> The new Board consists of existing Directors, former Directors and one former Chairman (Colin Fry).
> New sponsors/investors are actively being sought. It was alluded that the Club was in the early stages of securing a main shirt sponsor.
> Manager Tommy Warrilow is to stay as 1st team manager but with a significantly reduced playing budget.
> 6 players are confirmed to be staying with the club these are Lee Worgan, Scott Gooding, Lee Minshull, Anthony Storey, Paul Booth and Steve Ferguson.
> The remainder have been offered reduced terms and the Club are awaiting the players decisions. Only Simon Glover and the Olorunda brothers have definately left the Angels for pastures new.
> The 2 players the Club deem as their biggest assets - Leon Legge and Carl Rook - have regrettably been transfer listed due to the funding issues.
> Tommy Warrilow extensively outlined his aims for the Angels Youth system and named reserve players that he believes have the potential to break into the 1st team this season.
> Secretary Charlie Cole announced a number of pre-season friendlies starting on Saturday 11th July Home to Gillingham. (a full list will appear here later).
As fans left the Longmead Lounge there was a definate air of optimism around the current situation in particular the passion and commitment for Tonbridge Angels Football Club showed by all the people involved. Plus not forgetting the quality of the 6 players Tommy Warrilow has so far secured the services of for 2009/10.
Tuesday 19th May: Angels Chairman Nick Sullivan resigns
This afternoon the Angels announced the shock resignation of Chairman Nick Sullivan.
This news comes in the immediate wake of the departure of Vice-Chairman Garry Pass due to ill health and heightens the levels of uncertainty about the Angels future.
Since in their charge Nick & Garry (and their families) have transformed the club both on and off the pitch through their massive personal contributions. As well the physical improvements to Longmead Stadium, and the improved standard of 1st team football,
the club now has one of the most impressive youth set-ups in the south-east covering 11 age groups.
Today's full club statement can be found on the [ Forum ]
The Club's new Board will be headed by ex-Supporters Association Chairman Steve Churcher, who was earlier in the season announced as Club President.
Tommy Warrilow and his assistants are to remain in charge of the first team. This should give fans some comfort as there is considerable speculation as to the actual status of the 1st team players - nine of whom are on contract until May 2010.
More details may emerge next week as there is to be an open meeting for Supporters next Tuesday 26th May at 19:30 with a 19:45 start in the Longmead Lounge.
Sunday 17th May: Angels Youth Presentation Day
The Angels Youth section of the club celebrated the season's achievements with their annual Presentation Day at Longmead yesterday.
Prior to the awards ceremonies each squad had the opportunity to experience the first team pitch through mini-soccer events plus penalty kick and crossbar-challenge competitions.
All ages were represented from Under-7's through to Under-18's.
To enquire about the photos taken on the day, that include the award winners and squads, email us [ Here ]
TAFC Youth Website [ Here ]
With their final league game on Saturday being given as a 'walk-over', the Reserves took the opportunity to reflect on a very successful year which included winning a host of silverware.
Manager Julian Leigh said "This season was the highest a reserve team has finished at the club (6th in the Premier Division) and we have in fact not been outside a top 6 finish in four years. In that time we have won the Kent Intermediate Cup three times, the League Shield twice and the Courier Cup once and last year gained promotion."
And speaking about the potential of his younger players to progress to the first team..."Jon Heath, Bobby Dixey, Paul Butler, Sonny Miles and Martin Grant have been involved (in the 1st team) at various times during the season so we will have to wait and see. It will be interesting to see how all these lads progress next season."
Tuesday 5th May: Presentation Night awards
Scott Gooding receives the Player's Player Of The Season award from Nick Sullivan and Tommy Warrilow.
The end of season presentation night took place on saturday night at the Hadlow Manor Hotel. About 100 attended the event including players, club officials and their partners.
The evening opened with speeches from the Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Manager that all reflected on what was a very successful season despite the dissappointment of losing the final game.
Scott Gooding scooped most of the season's awards with Tim Olorunda receiving the inaugural Manager's Special award for his overall contribution and individual performances. Carl Rook took the Top Goalscorer award for the second year running.
Physio Melvin Slight joined the prestigious list of behind-the-scenes legends in winning the Austin Veriny Award.
Club Secretary Charlie Cole received special recognition for his outstanding contribution to the running of the club. It was quoted that he had attended and supervised the running of over 90 games at all levels during the course of the season.
Here is the full list of awards winners:
Chairman's Player Of The Year - Scott Gooding
Player's Player Of The Year - Scott Gooding
Manager's Player Of The Year - Scott Gooding
Manager's Special Award - Tim Olorunda
Club Top Scorer Award (all levels) - Carl Rook
Supporter's Player Of The Year - Scott Gooding
Runner-Up Supporters Player Of The Year - Carl Rook
Clubman Of The Year (Austin Veriny Award) - Melvin Slight (Club Physio)
Special recognition - Charlie Cole (Club Secretary)
Photos from the Presentation Night can be found [ Here ]
Tuesday 28th April: Robbins spoil the party
Carl Rook converts the penalty.
The curtain came down on the Angels' 2008/9 season with a defeat to Carshalton in the Ryman Premier Play-Off semi-final.
After an even start to the game the deadlock was broken in the 24th minute courtesy of a breakway following an Angels corner. Barry Steven led the charge and played a precision left-to-right crossfield ball to the feet of Richard Jolly. He struck the ball across Worgan and into the bottom corner for 1-0.
The second half was barely started when Charlie Ide took advantage of a defensive mix-up to poke home and double the Robbins lead.
With just over 20 mins remaining Tonbridge made a double substitution and converted to three at the back. The extra player in midfield inspired more frequent attacks by the home side and they were rewarded when Carl Rook converted from the spot after Steve Ferguson had been felled by Gonsalves.
Paul Booth found space in the box to fire home the equaliser with 8 minutes left on the clock but, as they went all out for the winner in the very next attack, the Blues got caught out with one too many up for the corner and Jolly finished off another breakaway goal.
Full Report and photos to follow....
Angels: Worgan, Starkey, Glover, Tyne, Dayes, Gooding, Ferguson, Storey, Booth, Rook, Clarke. Subs: Olorunda T, Westcott, Minshull, Heath, French.
Carshalton now face a tough trip to Staines Town, who comfortably won 3-0 in their semi-final v Sutton, for the right to play Conference South football next season.
Monday 27th April: Warrilow and Sullivan call on 12th man
As the Angels prepare for the biggest game at Longmead for many years Manager Tommy Warrilow and Chairman Nick Sullivan have both issued rallying cries to the Angels supporters to raise the roof on Tuesday night when they face Carshalton Athletic in the Ryman Premier Play Off semi-final.
A big crowd is expected for the game which should attract many neutrals as well as a respectable following for the Robbins.
Tonbridge, whose build-up to this game in recent weeks has been fraught with injuries and suspensions, look set to start with the strong squad as seen on Saturday against Dover. Club Captain Anthony Storey should be restored to midfield as his ban has now ended. Scott Gooding came through the Dover game ok after the thigh injury picked up in training but Lewis Hamilton is a fresh doubt (groin).
It is hoped Lee Minshull will return following the shoulder injury sustained at Harrow and Lee Worgan is definately available despite earlier worries that he could have been suspended following the sending off on Saturday.
Carshalton, who went through a distinct mid-season slump in form during which the Angels took all 6 league points from them, made the play-offs by courtesy of a win at Hendon on Saturday.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ryman Premier Play Off Semi Finals Tuesday 28th April 2009. kick-off 19:45
(A) Staines Town v Sutton United. (at Wheatsheaf Park)
(B) Tonbridge Angels v Carshalton Athletic. (at Longmead Stadium)
Ryman Premier Play Off Final Saturday 2nd May 2009. kick-off 15:00
Winner (A) v Winner (B) Home advantage for the team which finished in the highest league position
Saturday 25th April: Angels lose final league game
Lee Worgan and Scott Gooding fail to stop Sidibie's opener.
The regular league season ended with a 0-2 home defeat against Ryman Champions Dover.
Both Dover goals came in a bizarre first half that lasted an unbelievable 88 minutes following a number of lengthy stoppages.
The game had barely warmed up when, in the 12th minute, Whites' Lee Browning was felled as a Tim Olorunda volley caught him full on the chin. He received lengthy treatment on the pitch by both physios and a doctor before being taken off in an ambulance.
Play eventually restarted at 15:38 and within minutes Dover had taken the lead - Sidibie controlling a low Gore cross into the centre and firing under Lee Worgan.
No sooner had Tonbridge kicked off when play was stopped again this time due to the referee sustaining a calf injury.
With a new assistant taking his place on the touchline, the stand-in referee didnt have long to wait to make his first key decision. Jon Wallis, having been gifted the ball on the edge of the box by Scott Gooding, was left sprawling after a one-on-one challenge with Worgan. The ref awarded a penalty and Worgan was shown the red card.
Full-back Phil Starkey donned the #1 jersey but was given no chance with Wallis' spot kick.
The one-man advantage for Dover didn't last long as Schultz received an straight red for an elbow in Carl Rook's face.
This dismissal seemed to spark the tension between both benches and a fracas started in front of the dugouts. This incident resulted in the respective managers - Andy Hessentaller and Tommy Warrilow - both being sent off.
As half time (finally!) beckoned Starkey saved a certain goal as he managed to clawed the ball clear from the feet of Bodkin with the Angels defence in disarray.
The second half was a sedate non-event with very few chances of note and the visitors saw the game out comfortably.
Angels: Worgan, Starkey, Glover, Tyne, Dayes, Gooding, Westcott, Olorunda, Cade, Rook, Clarke. Subs: Booth, Hamilton, Ferguson, Minshull.
The Angels will now face Carshalton Athletic on tuesday night in the Ryman Premier play-off semi-final. K.O. 19:45.
Saturday 18th April: Angels extend unbeaten run to 9 games
The Angels beat Harrow Borough 3-2 today to confirm they will finish in third position in the Ryman Premier.
Goals from debutant centre-back Gavin Dayes, Carl Rook and Paul Booth all came in an astonishing first 12 minutes which also saw Borough open the scoring inside 120 seconds.
Defender Walters headed home from a corner in the second half to end the scoring action but, despite have the better of a lacklustre second half, Harrow couldn't muster an equaliser and the Angels ran out comfortable winners in the end.
Report to follow...
Angels: French, Starkey, Glover, Minshull, Legge, Dayes, Westcott, Olorunda, Booth, Rook, Cade. Subs: Clarke, Hamilton, Ferguson.
