Pitchero Non League

.....Square Bet South club Tonbridge Angels budget was cut.

The nucleus of this season's team will be gracing Longmead again next season, but the Angels boss will have to let several squad players leave to balance the books before he can look at strengthening the team.

While Warrilow says it is frustrating, that is the way football is these days. "I spoke to chairman Steve Churcher about a few things and the budget is what it is. I have got to release players. I was hoping it would stay at least the same or maybe even ask for a little more. But cuts have got to be done. I cannot give them something that is not there.

"It is disappointing, but it's one of those things. I had been hoping to get on with it and look to build, but will have to hold fire for now.

"We'll still push on and get players coming through. It's the first year of the academy and the reserves have done well. But it's a big jump from reserves to the Conference South."

Churcher said the club is playing football with the big boys now and has to adhere to stricter financial regulations. The last thing the club wants to happen is face a points` deduction or transfer embargo. "We have enjoyed enormous generosity from several benefactors, but they are not always able to stump up money year in, year out.

"From my point of view the reduction is about 15 per cent. It's not an enormous amount. There's an awful lot ongoing behind the scenes and costs need to be sorted out that there is not the budget for. Little things like a water leak. It's sorted now, but is costing £500 a month to pay off."

Despite the cuts, Warrilow was upbeat and confident that the team will continue to impress next season.

They finished a superb ninth this term and ten of this season's team will definitely be at the Longmead next season.

Veteran defender Ben Judge, winger Rory Hill and striker Mikel Suarez are the latest three to sign up and Warrilow couldn't be happier with them. "I've got no qualms about Judgey," he said. "You see him in training and his legs haven't gone. He's a clever footballer and has two yards in his head that get him out of jail. I wouldn't care if he's 46. He will always have something in him he can contribute to the club. He has got another year in him at least."

Angels lost their last game of the season at Boreham Wood. However, it didn't take the gloss of a wonderful debut season in the Conference South.

"I think we have done fantastic to finish ninth," Warrilow said. "Some people have been saying if we had done this and that we could have finished higher, but at the start of the season the same people would have been happy with fourth from bottom. We are a stronger side now."

Tags: News | Tonbridge Angels

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