Tonbridge Angels Dream Team

I was recently asked to produce my Dream Team for the retro football magazine Backpass. It's a fun topic of conversation that has occupied many an hour on lengthy away trips and no two person's team are the same. Here was mine, as produced in the February 2026 edition.

My Dream Tonbridge Angels team? Having supported the club for 66 years, time itself presents a challenge. I wonder how many players have gone through the books in that time. Non-League football has traditionally had a turnover of players, so a rough guess of 30 a season ticks up nearly 2,000. How many have I forgotten, probably 1,800!

My Dad took me to the Angel Ground for the first time in 1959 to watch a former England international, Charlie “Cannonball” Fleming, who was playing, and scored, for Bath City.

My love for the club saw me through childhood into marriage with just a couple of County Cup successes to sustain it, before in 1980, they lost their toughest match against Tonbridge Urban District Council and were evicted from the Angel Ground.

The fight through the High Courts and liquidation in 1976, left me deciding to seek football elsewhere and, for many years, Gillingham took over as my principal interest, but my heart always remained with the Angels and as they found a new home at Longmead, I slowly returned to the club.

What exercises my choices? Head or heart? Through the misty eyes of the last Kent Senior Cup win in 1975, heart has probably won that battle and with that have chosen to employ relatively modern-day players into the old W formation.

TOMMY BICKERSTAFF The choice of goalkeeper was most definitely made with the heart. There have, undoubtedly been better keepers wear the Angels jersey but my first Angels hero was Tommy Bickerstaff, an amiable Scotsman, who had moved south in 1955 from Third Lanark and went on to make over 250 appearances for Tonbridge, a record for a goalkeeper that was only in recent years surpassed by Jonny Henly. Profile HERE as produced in Up There Cazaly

JOE CAROLAN I was a Manchester United supporter as a kid, so you can imagine my excitement as an 11-year-old when the former Busby Babe pitched up at the Angel Ground in 1962. Joe went on to serve Tonbridge for eight seasons before managing the club for just over a year. Joe was a left back, rather than right, but his versatility took him all over the pitch which allows me to choose a genuine left-footer on that side. Profile HERE on Page Four.

PETER LOVELL Ask any old-timer leaning on the perimeter fencing who they would select as left back and the name of Peter Lovell will inevitably be raised. Lovell made 470 appearances for the club from 1958. Once again, heart wins over the accomplished Danny Tingley, who only fell 20 or so appearances short of Lovell’s total ending in 2002.

D’SEAN THEOBALDS It seems an obligation that a member vow the 2019 Isthmian League play-off squad is included and that place goes to D’Sean, who capped off a great season with a memorable goal in the Super Play-off Final at Metropolitan Police to send the game into extra time and onwards to winning and promotion to National League South. D’Sean left to attempt to make it in the professional game, but sadly that didn’t quite work out.

JOHN KEIRS Thoughts drift back to 1975 and the Kent Senior Cup Final and the scorer of the opening at, and against, our greatest rivals Maidstone United, John arrived in 1973 from Charlton Athletic via a spell in South Africa and in two spells amassed over 350 appearances, scoring 70 goals from centre half. He later managed the club for three seasons. Profile HERE on Page Three

GEOFF TRUETT Geoff was a powerhouse of a half-back who joined the club in 1962 from Crystal Palace and went to to make 517 appearances, finding the net an astonishing 115 times. He took penalties in the old-fashioned way, laces through the ball and rarely missed. He represented the club until 1970 and helped Tonbridge gain promotion to the Southern League Premier Division in the 1963-64 season and triumph in the Kent Senior Cup the following year. He was a complete payer, a colossus for the club. Profile HERE on Page Six

GERRY FRANCIS Gerry was brilliantly covered in the summer edition of BACKPASS reproduced HERE from Page Three. Francis escaped the apartheid of South Africa, travelling to the United Kingdom in the mid-1950’s to become the first South African to play top flight football in England after joining Leeds United. Gerry arrived at Tonbridge in 1962 via York City and in the course of three seasons made 174 appearances, scoring 61 goals whilst delighting the Angel Ground with his fleet-footed skills. Gerry died in May 2025 at the age of 91 in Ontario, Canada. He was very much mourned at the present-day club as a significant figure in our history.

PHIL STONEBRIDGE If I have to pick an Angels’ GOAT then Phil would take my accolade as the club’s leading goalscorer. In 19786, having stayed loyal to the club after Tonbridge went into receivership, he left for local rivals Maidstone United before returning in 1981. Over his two spells, he made 442 appearances, scoring 133 times. Phil played anywhere on the pitch, even in goal once, and was a member of the 1975 team. Profile HERE on Page Five

JON MAIN Mainy arrived at Longmead in 2006 where he had drawn attention. The Angels’ manager at the time, Tony Dolby, said of him that he wasn’t one that loved football; wasn’t the best trainer, he just scored goals and in a two season spell he bagged 61 of them before leaving for a record fee paid by AFC Wimbledon where he formed a prolific partnership with another ex-Angel, Danny Kedwell. He returned to the Angels in 2011 after suffering a serious injury at Wimbledon and added another ten goals to his tally.

FRANNIE COLLIN So here we are, 14 years after Frannie left the club, we get a free-kick and somebody will inevitably say “Frannie territory”, such was the cultured left foot of one of, if not the most technically gifted player ever to wear an Angels shirt. In a three-year spell, Frannie rippled the net 75 times in 140 appearances and not many of them would be poacher’s goals. Profile HERE on Page Two

NICKY WHEELER Wheeler crosses, Elder scores was a familiar refrain for two seasons from 2015, which yielded 108 appearances for Nick before he moved on to the EFL and Dagenham and Redbridge. Always immaculately turned out, he would take a bit of stick that he would never have a hair out of place, but then he was a hairdresser. In 2015-16 he recorded 28 assists, while Nathan Elder scored 29 goals; the maths tell the story. Wheeler recently retired after serving Worthing and Dorking Wanderers to great effect.

SUBSTITUTES

SONNY MILES AND JOE TURNER Many Angels supporters, especially those with fewer years on the clock than myself, will question how the club’s leading appearance maker, Sonny Miles, who retired having played 527 times for a club in a career of 15 years in which he only spent one season away from Longmead, doesn’t make the team. Joe will also raise eyebrows with his exclusion, signed from Kingstonian he was the only player to win the Player of the Year accolade three times. He made 261 appearances, scored 67 goals, many of which were of the spectacular variety and, without doubt, would feature in many supporters’ Dream Team. But that was mine, borne of 66 years and counting!

Tonbridge 4 Hendon 0

Match 62/07/679 - Tuesday, 8th April 2008 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (2) 4 Rook 17 Edusei 27, 48, 85
Hendon (0) 0
Att. 389

Entrance: £8
Programme: Sold Out
Mileage: 26/5,514

Match Report

A month ago I left Longmead after a cruise against no-hopers Leyton that made it more four wins on the trot. Relegation fears had been left behind for mid-table safety and there were a few optimistic fools about making noises of play-off places.

One month on and having been completely tied up with Gillingham’s relegation fight I returned with the club having put together a seven match winning sequence sadly ended by a ridiculously late injury time goal against champions-elect Chelmsford. A win on Saturday restored the upwardly mobile momentum and this re-arranged fixture had offered myself the opportunity to witness this surge towards the play-offs.

Hendon, themselves play-off contenders, quickly showed their intention to go for the three points. They had a couple of early chances, one of which was well saved by Matt Reed, and the two lads leading the line looked as if they were going to be a real handful.

On 17 minutes a corner is flicked on and Carl Rook is at the far post to head the Angels in front. Twenty minutes later and the act is repeated, this time John Beales flicking on for twice-rejected ex-Gill Akwasi Edusei to meet and touch in from close range. Before half-time there was concern as Beales was stretchered off following a tackle that was caught on camera and didn’t look very pretty. Thankfully, Bealesy was later seen walking around the perimeters and might even be fit for Saturday. Tommy Tyne had also limped out of the game earlier and there was a general anxiety that the two goal half time lead might be tested.

Hendon pressed early in the second half and had an early chance but after just three minutes Tonbridge all but tied the game up with Edusei adding his second of the night from close range. With the game having been put out of their reach, unfortunately Hendon’s discipline went with it and their booking tally quickly rose to five and a couple of on-pitch scuffles kept the referee busy. With five minutes to go Edusei tied up his hat-trick when he collected a loose ball won by a extremely high Scott Kinch foot to spin and plant the ball beyond the Hendon keeper.

Tonbridge had made it into the play-off places with this superb display. There are some tough encounters to come and the Angels will do well to get maximum points from tricky away games at Billericay and Carshalton and a home match with play-off certs AFC Hornchurch.

On a cold night, a healthy 389 turned their back on Liverpool v Arsenal in Champions League action on terrestrial television and were well rewarded for their effort.

I could not resist nicking this off the Tonbridge Forum, thanks to cubsur51 for posting it, not often Tonbridge get such prominence on Sky Sports.

Tonbridge 3 Leyton 0

Match 54/07/671 - Saturday, 8th March 2008 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (0) 3 Rook 71, 90 (pens), 90
Leyton (0) 0
Att. 410

Entrance: £8
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/4,323

Whilst I've been away on holiday and Gillingham have floundered in and out of the relegation area, Tonbridge have gone from strength to strength and this win was their fourth on the bounce and has propelled them into mid-table.

I would imagine this was probably their least impressive performance of the four as they made hard work of the Division's whipping boys. For 70 minutes on a wet, windy afternoon, they dominated without breaking through and it took a rather dubious penalty to break the deadlock. The referee had taken centre stage for much of the game making both poor and confusing decisions and talking forever to players after they had misdemeaned. Eventually the injustice of the penalty decision broke Leyton's resolve and their discipline was lost. They lost a man and then a second penalty decision wrapped up the game before Rook added a third for his first Angels' hat trick.

The league is still tight but Tonbridge are now safely in mid-table and should now be able to press on to a decent finishing position that will give them confidence going into Tommy Warrilow's first full season with the club.

Tonbridge 3 Margate 2

Match 52/07/669 - Saturday, 9th February 2008 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (2) 3 Rook 7, 74 (2 pens) Logan 23
Margate (1) 2 Martin 11 Saunders 90
Att. 565

Entrance: £8
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/4,252

Match Report

The difference between the teams as far as the result was two penalties from Carl Rook, but truth was that Tonbridge were deserving of this important victory. An early penalty, quite rightfully awarded and blasted home by Rook was quickly levelled as a slick passing movement allowed ex-Angel Ryan Martin to slot home. Margate looked likely to take a stranglehold on the game for a period following but when the ball broke to Fraser Logan on the edge of the box a thunderbolt of a rising shot regained the Angels lead.

Tonbridge had the lion's share of the game in the second half and Margate fans around me were none too pleased with both the inaction on the field and manager Robin Trott's off it. Another penalty 12 minutes from time sealed the game, this one not so clear cut, but from a distance it was impossible to say whether it was handball or otherwise. A late mistake from keeper Matt Reed narrowed the lead, but it was too little, too late for Margate.

The result lifts Tonbridge away from the danger zone, but the Division is very tight and they need a few results on the spin to steer them to safety.

Tonbridge 0 AFC Wimbledon 4

Match 46/07/663 - Saturday, 12th January 2008 - FA Trophy 2nd Round

Tonbridge (0) 0
AFC Wimbledon (2) 4 Webb 13 De-Bolla 45, 58 Jolly 90
Att. 2,281

Entrance: £9
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/3,862

A record attendance at Longmead saw the majority going home happy with the result as AFC Wimbledon supplied the bulk of the crowd. Arriving for a Tonbridge home game more than an hour before kick off and finding the car park close to full and even a 15 minute delay in starting due to congestion at the turnstiles are all near novel experiences at Longmead. The 2,281 gathered exceeded the previous record for the play-off game against Dover by 400 or so.

The Tonbridge supporters in attendance will be disappointed with both the scoreline and the manner of the defeat. AFC Wimbledon are a good side, they have some big name players in non-league terms and played with a confidence befitting of their lofty league position and certainly did not need the help of three gift goals from the home side.

Tonbridge were shorn of half-a-dozen players cup tied, suspended or injured and threw a couple of new players into the fray. Unfortunately they were at fault for the three gift goals. Daniel Webb, son of Dave, the ex-Chelsea hardman, seized onto a poor clearance from Starkey and scored with a well hit shot and either side of the interval, a miss kick and a misjudgement from centre back Wilfort contributed to two Mark De Bolla goals. Previously De Bolla had seen a penalty saved by Matt Reed.

By the time Richard Jolly rounded off the scoring, Tonbridge’s run to the last 32 of the Trophy had been terminated unceremoniously. The victory over Oxford United in the previous round should not be forgotten and the club should have made a few bob today, but now their league form is of paramount concern and hopefully a more settled side will lead to more consistency.

AFCW obviously have the support base to go on to the higher echelons of non league and perhaps ultimately into the Football League, where they would consider to be in their rightful place as the true reincarnation of Wimbledon Football Club, unlike the impostors from Milton Keynes.

Tonbridge 2 Boreham Wood 2

Match 44/07/661 - Saturday, 5th January 2008 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (2) 2 Tyne 24 Westcott 45
Boreham Wood (1) 2 Bangura 40 Thomas 65
Att. 392

Entrance: £8
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/3,791

I said to my mate this afternoon, "I know that nobody is too good to go down, but we really are too good to go down". But it is the damned inconsistency at the moment that is going to drive us right to the edge if we are not careful. Look at the table before today's games, nine points separated Hastings next to bottom from Staines in 6th, in theory three straight wins. Tonbridge have had three straight wins twice this season but only one of the six games was a League match. Today we could not even be consistent for 90 minutes. The dominance we held and the chances that went begging should have had us home and hosed by half time. With both wingers, but Westcott in particular, causing havoc on the flanks and Tyne having an outstanding 45 minutes there should have been more than a goal between the sides. But where did we go in the second half? True enough we gave it a go in the last 10 minutes but by then the momentum had gone and the damage had been done. I hope Tommy Warrilow knows the answer to this one (inconsistency), because I sure as hell don't. But then he is paid to manage Tonbridge, I pay to get in!!

Tonbridge 1 Oxford United 0

Match 39/07/656 - Tuesday, 19th December 2007 - FA Trophy 1st Rd Replay

Tonbridge (1) 1 Barr 30
Oxford United (0) 0
Att. 642

Entrance: £10
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/3,423

Match Report

A magical night a Longmead. A Conference (in old money) team beaten and over the two games it was no more than Tonbridge deserved. A Hamid Barr goal after half an hour ultimately settled the game that produced a tense and dramatic conclusion.

Tonbridge were further weakened by the suspensions of Ray Powell and Anthony Storey to add to the cup-tied Rook, Edusei and Westcott. Oxford themselves had the experienced keeper, Billy Turley suspended to be replaced by a 16-year-old, who in fairness did OK.

The game itself followed a similar pattern to the first encounter at the Kassam on Saturday. Tonbridge having the best of the first half, but this time having a goal to reward their efforts. Barr driving in from the edge of the box. Second half was a different story with Oxford exerting even more pressure than they were able to in the first match. Chance after chance went begging as Tonbridge rode their luck and the time slowly ebbed away. The small contingent of Oxford supporters were becoming more irate with their forwards profligacy.

Time was moving towards the 90 when Tonbridge seemingly decided that it might just be the moment to either self-destruct or, at the very least, ratchet up the tension. First, Scott Kinch, who had been a man on a mission in the centre of midfield, got involved in a pushing and shoving match with an opponent and the resultant yellow saw him sent off, having been booked earlier. If that was bad enough, Hamid Barr needlessly rounded the keeper after the whistle had blown for offside and was also sent off for a second yellow. Now down to nine men, thankfully Tonbridge had to survive for no more than a minute to seal a memorable victory.

Tonbridge’s message board hummed until well after midnight with celebrating fans all wanting to add their opinions and congratulations.

Singling players out on the night is not entirely fair, but special mentions should go to John Beales, nobody would wish him to leave Longmead but the lad deserves to be playing at a much higher level. He has trialled at Gillingham and seemingly nothing has come of it. Also worthy of mention is goalkeeper Matt Reed, who endured a shaky spell a couple of months ago but is now developing into a fine prospect.

Tommy Warrilow is being hailed as something of a Messiah and he is certainly doing everything right at this moment in time. One defeat in eleven since he arrived is impressive in itself and now he has perhaps the greatest giant-killing in Tonbridge’s history to put on his CV.

The disappointment on the night, apart from the sending-offs, was the 642 attendance. There was very little support from Oxford, reported at only 57, but my guess is that was about 30 short, but on a night when it wasn’t particularly cold and there was no Champions League football on the television, I think the club deserved a better turn-out. For those that could not be bothered to exit their armchairs, you missed a historic night at the Longmead Stadium.

Tonbridge 2 Billericay Town 2

Match 37/07/654 - Tuesday, 11th December 2007 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (0) 2 Powell (pen) 50 Barr (pen) 89
Billericay Town (2) 2 Boot (pen) 35 Garness 44
Att. 294

Entrance: £8
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/3,174

On the coldest night of the season so far, an entertaining game of three penalties. First blood went to Billericay via the spot after John Beales had been harshly adjudged to bring down an attacker, from my unobstructed view he clearly took the ball. Billericay then went further ahead before half time with a well taken goal, but some very poor defensive work contributed to the opportunity.

At the beginning of the second half the referee decided that it was time to even up his decisions when he awarded Tonbridge a penalty as equally dubious as the one he had given earlier. Ray Powell cut the deficit from the spot. Throughout the second half Tonbridge made and spurned chances until, with the clock ticking towards the 90, Akwasi Edusei got clear and was brought down by the goalkeeper, this time there was no doubt. Hamid Barr, as always, kept his nerve to equalise from the spot and give Tonbridge a deserved share of the points.

Tonbridge introduced new signing Carl Rook, a striker, from Tommy Warrilow's old club Horsham. He has signed for an undisclosed amount, but it is understood to have made a dent in the money received for Jon Main and Scott Gooding. Rook, despite missing a couple of chances, had a good debut. He held the ball up well and generally did a good job in line leadership.

Unfortunately, for the upcoming trip to Oxford United, Rook, Westcott and Edusei are cup-tied.

Tonbridge 0 East Thurrock 0

Match 35/07/652 - Saturday, 1st December 2007 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (0) 0
East Thurrock (0) 0
Att. 426

Entrance: £8
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/3,103

A first goalless day this season and a short posting will unfortunately reflect this. After 34 games on this blog and Tonbridge themselves having set a new club record of scoring in 32 consecutive matches whilst cruising to a 4-0 midweek win at Ashford in the Kent Senior Cup, a double blank had to happen.

East Thurrock deservedly survived a late onslaught from Tonbridge, who had been punchless up front for much of the match. Goalkeeper Matt Reed was easily man of the match and thereby tells the tale.

Tickets for the forthcoming Trophy match at Oxford United went on sale after the match, a ticket for a Tonbridge match, am I dreaming? I think I might well have been the first to hand over my tenner, legged it back to the car, and the rain that had threatened all afternoon finally began to fall, justice for the Yeovil soaking!

Tonbridge 2 Wealdstone 1

Match 31/07/648 - Saturday, 17th November 2007 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (0) 2 Kinch 55 Barr 90
Wealdstone (1) 1 Alexander 32
Att. 506

Entrance: £8
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/2,580

Match Report

There cannot be many players that leave a club and have the front cover of the next match day programme dedicated to him, such is the esteem held for Jon Main. But today we entered into the first day of the post-Main era and whilst he was sorely missed, the fighting spirit apparent on Tuesday surfaced again to produce a late winner against Wealdstone.

The Warrilow style of play is eventually going to be easier on the eye than Dolby’s, but presently it is work in progress. Alongside Main’s departure, Ryan Martin has also left the club and rumours also surround club captain Scott Gooding, whose exit would be a major loss. In today came John Westcott, from Warrilow’s former club Horsham. He showed some good touches and laid on the winner for Hamid Barr.

It is well reported that the manager is looking at bringing in new strikers to replace Main and it is apparent that this needs to happen sooner rather than later. Although he scored the winner, in ultra cool fashion, Barr looked distinctly uncomfortable as a target man.

Another good attendance, bolstered by a good showing from Wealdstone, but also local people showing that they are buying into Tommy Warrilow. This results lifts Tonbridge well clear, position-wise, of the relegation places and the good ship Angel is being steered in the right direction.

Tonbridge 2 AFC Wimbledon 2

Match 30/07/647 - Tuesday, 13th November 2007 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (0) 2 Main 58 Harris 66
AFC Wimbledon (2) 2 Beales (o.g.) 27 De Bolla 33
Att. 985

Entrance: £8
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/2,554

Match Report

If you don’t update these blogs at the earliest opportunity how events overtake you, but firstly to the match in hand.

If is quite amazing the contrasts that football can throw up. Saturday at Barnet had to be the low point of this season with a lack of commitment that left me both exasperated and angry, last night showed the opposite with a Tonbridge side showing determination to haul themselves back from a 2-0 half-time deficit and a first half in which they had been thoroughly outplayed. Also at Old Trafford last Wednesday in front of 75,000 I was lamenting the lack of atmosphere and last night 985 created a special night.

This was the best game I’ve seen this season, great entertainment with a couple of good goals, a classic own goal and as said, the wonderful fight back that didn’t quite end with the ultimate result, but a draw was a fair result. Wimbledon had stormed into a two goal lead that their superiority had deserved. John Beales scored the classic own goal with a diving header and a left wing free kick evaded everybody to find the bottom corner. Even the most biaised of Angels could not deny AFC their worthy lead.

Whatever new manager Tommy Warrilow (rather hazy picture left), said Tonbridge came out and took the game to their high-flying opponents. Jon Main scored his 20th goal of the season and after Wimbledon lost their goalkeeper to injury Richard Harris who had been thrown forward scored their equaliser. Doubtless any Wimbledon fan reading this will point to the fact that their keeper had been injured by a Scott Kinch challenge for which he was booked and subsequently substituted by a non-goalkeeping substitute.

For all this Tonbridge more than deserved their point and I went home not only happy with the result but with a little faith restored after the last week’s disappointments.

As I said in the first paragraph events overtake the writing of a blog and today it has been announced that Jon Main has signed for last night’s opponents. Jon is going to be a big miss a Longmead, hopefully the substantial, but undisclosed fee will go a long way to finding a suitable replacement, but that is going to be very difficult to achieve.

Picture: kentishman

Tonbridge 2 East Thurrock 0

Match 26/07/643 - Saturday, 3rd November 2007 - FA Trophy 2QR

Tonbridge (0) 2 Kinch 83 Logan 90
East Thurrock (0) 0
Att. 280

Entrance: £8
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/1,800

Tonbridge's penchant for late goals winning cup ties continued at Longmead as two goals in the last eight minutes won an entertaining FA Trophy tie. Under the stewardship of Julian Leigh and Simon Balsdon following Tony Dolby's dismissal, Tonbridge produced a decent performance in front of a very disappointing attendance. I do not understand the apathy towards the Trophy (there were only 20 or so more for the previous round) and I find it hard to believe that 50% of this season's average disappear just because the club are no longer in the FA Cup.

No whispers at the ground as to who the new manager might be. From Nick Sullivan's programme notes he informs that the phone has been ringing constantly with some obvious applicants and some not [so obvious]. So there appears no shortage of interest in the job and the chairman acknowledges that Tony Dolby has taken the club forward to this point. So we will have to wait and see, sometime this coming week has been mentioned.

But for now, another home draw on Monday would do nicely.

Tonbridge 3 Harrow Borough 2

Match 24/07/641 - Saturday, 20th October 2007 - FA Trophy 1QR

Tonbridge (1) 3 Barr 8, 89 Beales 85
Harrow Borough (1) 2 Adomah 12 Lawrence 70
Att. 345

Entrance: £8
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/1,729

Tonbridge continued their amazing cup form this season which is a total contrast to their league form. Coming back from the dead in previous rounds of the FA Cup against Maldon and Croydon to be in the last qualifying round, they repeated the trick against their Ryman Premier counterparts, coming back from 2-1 down with 5 minutes to go. Tonbridge's Main man was not the goalscoring hero on this occasion but the provider for Hamid Barr's winner. Fingers crossed that the cup form and luck can be carried into next week's FA Cup game at Ware. This game is leaving me with a dilemma as to whether to give up my Gillingham season ticket in favour of the trip to Ware, could come down to a toss of the coin.

Tonbridge 3 Ashford Town (Middx) 0

Match 18/07/635 - Tuesday, 25th September 2007 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (1) 3 Tyne 38 Logan 68 Main 90
Ashford Town (Middx) (0) 0
Att. 281

Entrance: £8
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/1,348

Tonbridge eased the pressure on manager Tony Dolby with a comprehensive victory over Ashford Town (Middx). This is one small step on the road to recovery but I suspect that Dolby cannot afford to see his side slip out of the FA Cup on Saturday.

Tonbridge supporters (barring the hard-core) are a fickle bunch and the 281 attendance is a long way down from the 432 that watched the last Tuesday league game against Folkestone, granted Folkestone brought a few more than the six Ashford supporters that stood behind the goal.

Three goals from three different players is something that will please the manager and fans alike. For far too long it has appeared that if Jon Main doesn’t score, neither do Tonbridge. Main did score but not before Tommy Tyne and Fraser Logan had put the Angels in control. Tyne’s goal in particular an absolute corker. Logan was the man of the match giving the opposition defence problems throughout , giving merit to his recall at Ryan Martin’s expense.

So Tony Dolby can breathe slightly easier, but when somebody sang Tony Dolby’s Blue and White Army, the response was “There’s only one person singing“, prove positive that very few have been won over by this one victory.

Tonbridge 4 Croydon Athletic 2

Match 16/07/633 - Tuesday, 18th September 2007 -
FA Cup 1QR Replay

Tonbridge (0) 4 Main 85 Powell 90 Beales 95 Storey 105
Croydon Athletic (1) 2 Duke 39 Savage 79
AET (90 minutues: 2-2)
Att. 259

Entrance: £8
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/1,278

Tonbridge were just 20 seconds away from falling at their first hurdle in this year’s FA Cup. Ten minutes from time Croydon had gone two goals clear and that had been enough for many in the sparse crowd to depart for home. Jon Main squeezed a shot under the keeper to pull one back and set up a frantic finish. Tonbridge literally threw the kitchen sink at Croydon but somehow they looked to have survived the onslaught until Ray Powell kept his cool and equalised with those 20 seconds left to play. The higher division side then made fairly easy work of extra time and when a John Beales header put the Angels in front for the first time they were comfortably in control.

At 2-0 down once again noises were made to suggest that Tony Dolby should find his employment elsewhere. Nick Sullivan's comments in the match day programme that he was not happy with the side’s start to the season suggested that Dolby’s position would have been less than secure had they not turned this game around.

Tonbridge 1 Harlow Town 2

Match 13/07/630 - Saturday, 8th September 2007 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (1) 1 Kinch 15
Harlow Town (1) 2 Dunn 29 Taylor 89
Att. 352

Entrance: £8
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/1,107

This would have been a mundane blog entry, Tonbridge beaten at home, once more failing to capitalise in a game where they had much greater possession, better chances and overall appeared to be a far superior side. The fact that I missed the winning goal was down to an early departure to catch England’s qualifier against Israel on the box. Wembley was where we should have been, but a family occasion and a 5 o’clock kick-off took that game off the agenda and the weekend that developed will almost certainly shape the way this particular blog reads through the next eight months.

It all began at Roots Hall, Southend at 1 o’clock. Brother and sister-in-law were in attendance and reported later that Gillingham had been the better side in the first half but still left the field 2-0 down. Listening to the radio commentary in the second half, it all sounded dire and a 3-0 defeat could have been a whole lot worse given that Southend hit the woodwork three times.

Radio Kent informed me on the way home of my missed viewing of the winning goal at Longmead and with two defeats in the bin, I looked forward to the England match with a little nervousness. At least this proved unfounded. Goals from Wright-Phillips, Owen and Richards kept Euro 2008 hopes alive and restored a little faith in the national team.

Whilst at the party in the evening, talking about Gillingham’s latest demise, nobody guessed we would wake up on Sunday morning to the news that Ronnie Jepson had resigned.

Tonbridge 1 Folkestone Invicta 2

Match 12/07/629 - Tuesday, 4th September 2007 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (0) 1 Kinch 84
Folkestone Invicta (1) 2 Watson 26 (pen) Edge 85
Att. 432

Entrance: £8
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/1,081

Match Report

Tonbridge compounded an indifferent start to the season by surrendering their unbeaten home record to a Folkestone side with enough ex-Gillingham players to start a Gillingham old boys side. Suffice to say that one of these, Roland Edge supplied the coup de grace with a well taken free kick within a minute of Tonbridge finally equalising. Also appearing for Invicta were Jimmy Corbett, once a £500K purchase by Blackburn Rovers from the Gills, that old warhorse Mark Saunders plus ex-Gills youngsters Frankie Chappell and Leigh Bremner, who led the Tonbridge defence a tidy dance all night, but especially in the first half when Folkestone held sway by the proverbial mile.

Tonbridge took the game to their opponents in a much better second half showing and it was perhaps slightly unjust that the point they had earned was snatched away so quickly. Manager Tony Dolby has not enjoyed universal support at Longmead and I fear that if this season doesn't turn around pretty soon he will come under some pressure. I hope not, he did a good job last term and whilst I appreciate that funds have been made available during the summer, at present he deserves the opportunity to see this job through.

Tonbridge 1 Hastings United 0

Match 10/07/627 - Monday, 27th August 2007 - Ryman Premier

Tonbridge (0) 1 Main 89
Hastings United (0) 0
Att. 636

Entrance: £8
Programme: £2
Mileage: 26/1,000

Match Report


Tonbridge gained some recompense from Saturday’s last minutes debacle with an 89th minute winner of their own. Both sides had their chances during the match, but defences came out on top with both goalkeepers excelling. Jon Main, yet again, finally managing to get clear of the huge Sean Ray to shoot into the bottom corner giving the keeper no chance.

Having met up with Hastings supporter and fellow England fan, Keith Beaumont, it is heartening to hear from a guy who is gaining so much satisfaction with football at this level.

There also seems to be a feel good factor at Longmead at the present, certainly coming off the back of the disenchantment of following Gillingham. The club seems stable, they have attracted some good players and have it within themselves to improve on last season when they finished a creditable 11th, albeit that they stayed in the play-off chase for much of the season.

Finally, a word for the much-improved programme. Nicely designed, plenty of colour and generally a good read.
Photo: kentishman

Tonbridge 3 Tunbridge Wells 0

Match 04/07/621 - Tuesday, 31st July 2007 - George Piper Courier Cup

Tonbridge (0) 3 Powell 53 Main 66 Barr 87
Tunbridge Wells (0) 0
Att. 405

Entrance: £5
Programme: None published
Mileage 26/242

Match Report

The Courier Cup was this year played in the memory of George Piper, a stalwart of local football with links to both clubs who had died at the grand old age of 100 earlier in the year. These days in terms of the football pyramid there is a lot more distance than the 6 miles that separate them geographically. Over the years Tonbridge have always been the more senior of the clubs, but when I was a kid the rivalry between them was far greater. In those days both were Southern League sides and I can certainly remember games at both the old Angel Ground (now a Sainsburys) and the Old Showground (now a housing estate) that attracted 3,000 people. It was a good crowd for a pre-season game that turned out for this year’s match, but it still only amounted to 405.

Longmead looked lush and the new hard standing in front of the clubhouse is much more practical than the grass it replaced no matter how ugly it looks. In time to come when there is proper terracing on top of the concrete it will look more fitting. I will see Tonbridge many more times this season so I can focus on them in the near future, so for this posting I will focus on Tunbridge Wells.

Tunbridge Wells are a club in a big transition, one that will hopefully pull them out of the slump in fortunes that has lasted far too long. This is a club that is almost a true to its conservative roots as the town it represents. Culverden is a ground at the end of a leafy road, a small tree-lined bowl. Up to a couple of years ago, when you went for your half-time cup of tea it was served in a china cup, it was a club run by a committee for, well the committee, and that tells the tale.

But as I said the club is in transition and the ex-England international Gary Stevens has taken over the club, the committee has gone amongst much acrimony and Stevens has pledged upwards of £50,000 to take the club forward. His background in Tunbridge Wells is with a local, very successfully run youth side, Forresters. They initiated a partnership with the Wells, to provide their players with access to senior football once they had reached their age limits.

Gary Stevens has said that as a town Tunbridge Wells should have a football club with a much higher profile than they presently have and it is very hard to argue that viewpoint. It is no longer, if it ever was, a small spa town, it is a large, mostly prosperous area that could easily sustain a Conference South team if they were ever to reach those heights. Whether Gary Stevens is the man to take them upwards or whether the old fashioned attitudes of the past eventually prevail time will tell. I hope my home town team will steer at path that at least will mean that their paths will cross Tonbridge’s on a properly competitive basis.

As for the Courier Cup, Tonbridge regained the trophy they lost for the first time last season. For 45 minutes, although the Angels were obviously the better footballing side, the Wells dug in and slowly got a foothold in the game. But an early second half goal put them on the backfoot and two class finishes from the quality of Jon Main and Hamid Barr wrapped up a comfortable win despite losing Matt Lovell to a disappointing pre-season sending off.