End of an era for chairman

Tonbridge Angels

Tonbridge want to send chairman Dave Netherstreet out on a high.

Netherstreet is standing down after a successful fiveyear stint, during which the club won promotion to National South, reached the FA Cup First Round for the first time in 48 years and transformed Longmead with the installation of a 3G pitch. He also appointed Jay Saunders as Steve McKimm’s successor last summer and Angels could finish as high as eighth if they beat Cheshunt at home in their final game of the season on Saturday, with four-figure crowds now a regular occurrence.

A successor to Netherstreet, who will remain involved at the club, will be announced in due course.

“Dave’s been great to work with,” said Saunders, who turned Tonbridge from relegation battlers into play-off contenders.

“With Macca leaving, it was a big decision for the club and when you’re the chairman, you bear the brunt.

“I’m just pleased it’s worked for him and it’s worked well for the club and we’ve been able to give him a good last season as chairman.

“He’s a good guy and you can see why he’s well-respected and well-liked by everyone. “He stands down with the club in a good place. “Obviously I wasn’t around to know what it was like when he took over but it must be nice for him to see the pitch go down and have crowds of over a thousand each week.

“It’s a proud achievement for him and I’m pleased we could give him a good season. “Hopefully we can get him a win in the last game.”

Nathan Wood and Ruben Soares - two players who have been on loan at Margate - scored in the last 11 minutes as Tonbridge came from a goal down to win 2-1 at Farnborough on Tuesday night. Jordan Greenidge had a penalty saved, then Jonny Henly denied Farnborough from the spot.

Boro led through Selim Saied on the hour but Angels turned it round. Victory moved them up to ninth, a point behind Eastbourne.

“It’s pleasing because it means we could finish as high as eighth if we win our last game,” said Saunders. “Equally, we could end up 11th or 12th.

“I said to the boys before the game if we could finish in the top 10 that would be a good season.

“If we get to 70 points, that’s not a bad return when you think they 45 last year.”