Angels announce new recruits and fixtures ahead of the 21/22 campaign
Tonbridge Angels have announced several new signings ahead of the start of the 2021/22 season.
Montserrat international, Craig Braham-Barrett (32) is sure to be a key capture by Angels Manager Steve McKimm.
The much-travelled defender was released by his first club, Charlton Athletic, back in 2007 following which he enjoyed spells at Eastleigh, East Thurrock Utd., Peterborough Utd., Grays Athletic, Farnborough Town, Havant & Waterlooville and Macclesfield Town.
Craig was to return to the EFL with Cheltenham Town where over two seasons (2013-14, 2014-15) he clocked up 78 appearances for The Robins. Loan spells at Woking and Whitehawk were followed by permanent moves to Dover Athletic, Braintree Town, Chelmsford City, Welling Utd., Hemel Hempstead Town, and finally Dartford.
He has made 14 international appearances for Montserrat, the latest being on June 8th when he was in the side that beat Grenada 2-1 away in a FIFA World Cup 2022 qualifier.
McKimm said: “This is a player that’s impressed me for some time and I’m delighted to have obtained his services.”
Angels have signed the vastly experienced midfielder Doug Loft.
His footballing career commenced with non-league Hastings Utd but he was destined for a higher level namely the EFL with spells at Brighton & Hove Albion and Dagenham & Redbridge. However, it was to be at Port Vale where his professional career was to mature. Appointed 1st team captain, and voted Player of the Year for 2011-12 he completed 196 appearances with 19 goals in a five season spell helping The Valients achieve promotion to League 1 in 2013.
In 2014 Doug moved back to his home county of Kent signing for Gillingham where in two seasons as skipper he made 70 appearances scoring six goals. There followed spells at Colchester Utd, Shrewsbury Town and Billericay Town.
Boss, Steve McKimm said: “Doug’s CV as you can see speaks for itself. This is an important signing for us as he will bring experience and knowledge to our midfield areas which will be to the benefit of the whole squad.”
Forward, Ibrahim Olutade (22) has made the short journey along the A26 from Maidstone United’s Gallagher Stadium to join the Angels as a striking partner to Tommy Wood.
He signed for the Stones from Leatherhead in May 2019 after scoring 13 times for the Tanners the previous season. Whilst he spent much of 2019/20 back at his old club Leatherhead on loan continuing to score goals, the following season saw him break into the Maidstone 1st team squad where in a hugely disruptive campaign he scored twice in three appearances.
On signing Ibrahim, Angels Boss, Steve McKimm said: “I’m very pleased to have his signature. Because of the problems of the last two seasons due to the pandemic he probably didn’t get anything like the number of appearances his talent justified. I believe he has a point to prove and I think he can do that with us. I welcome him to the club.”
Experienced defender Jerry O’Sullivan (30) has joined the Angels from Isthmian Premier club Horsham.
He made over 320 appearances for South Park, where as club captain he led them to promotion from The Combined Counties into the Isthmian League after which he was snapped up by Dorking Wanderers. He was a regular for the Surrey side celebrating another promotion this time to Isthmian Premier and then the following season reaching the National League South play-offs. Jerry signed dual registration with Horsham during 2019/20 with the move becoming permanent the following season.
Angels Boss Steve McKimm said: “I’m delighted to have secured the services of Jerry. He is a no nonsense defender who will strenghten my defensive unity and will help to plug the gap created by the departures of James Folkes and Jack Parter.”
Angels continue to go for experience with the signing of Ricky Modeste (33) from fellow National South club Dartford.
A pedigree non-league player as well as a Grenadian international, Ricky played in youth sides at Charlton Athletic, Arsenal, and Rushden & Diamonds, before graduating to men’s football initially at Chelmsford City and more recently Billericay Town. However, it was to be at Dover Athletic where, so far, he has arguably enjoyed the best years of his career. In two spells at Crabble he amassed around 200 appearances with over 30 goals. He will be fondly remembered by Whites supporters for scoring twice in the 2013/14 Conference South play off semi-final win against Sutton United and then setting up Nathan Elder for a winner against Ebbsfleet Utd in the final.
His international career has seen him turn out for Grenada on 8 occasions scoring twice for The Spice Boys.
McKimm remarked: “Ricky has consistently done well against sides I’ve been involved with in the past but despite that I’ve always enjoyed a good relationship with him. He’s played at the highest level of non-league football as well having international experience and I’m really pleased to have him now playing for me.”
Having signed up a group of players with experience, Angels Boss, Steve McKimm, has now turned to a young player who has that promise that only youth can bring with the signing of Harry Hudson age 20.
Harry a product of West Ham United Youth moved to Watford U18s two years later and then graduated through to the Hornets U23s.
McKimm said: “Harry has that youthful enthusiasm combined with the skills and technical ability learnt at a professional outfit and I’m looking forward to him being part of the 1st team squad.”
Aaron Smith-Joseph (24) is Steve McKimm’s latest signing as the Angels boss continues to put his squad together for the fast approaching 2021/22 Vanarama National South campaign. Operating as a striker or in midfield the ex Burgess Hill Town man has impressed during pre-season and has played his way into the Manager’s plans.
Starting out at National League Woking, he joined Burgess Hill in July 2017 where he was a regular scorer.
Said McKimm, “Aaron came to us at the start of pre-season and has shown an aptitude combined with hunger and enthusiasm in both training and matches; he has very much bought in to the way we want to play and I’m delighted to have his signature. Welcome to the Angels, Aaron.”
Friendly Fixtures
Sat 26 Jun – A – Colliers Wood United – W2-0
Sat 3 Jul – H – Chipstead – W3-0
Sat 10 Jul – H – Grays Athletic – W5-0
Tue 13 Jul – H – Lewes – W1-0
Sat 17 Jul – A – Merstham – W2-1
Sat 24 Jul – A – Worthing – 1pm
Wed 28 Jul – A – Sevenoaks Town – 7.45pm
Sat 31 Jul – A – Kingstonian – 3pm
Sat 7 Aug – H – Dover Athletic – 3pm
Angels kick off their 2021/22 Vanarama National South campaign on August 14th with a visit to Kent rivals, Ebbsfleet Utd. Seven days later (August 21st) they host Bath City and on August Bank Holiday weekend there is a trip to Berkshire in the form of Hungerford Town on the Saturday and on Bank Holiday Monday, Angels line up at home against St Albans City.
The Christmas/New Year holiday period sees the always eagerly awaited double header against Maidsone United. Angels host the Stones on Boxing Day while the short journey to the Gallagher will be undertaken on Sunday January 2nd with a trip to Eastbourne Borough sandwiched in between on Tuesday 28th December.
The season ends on Saturday May 7th with a visit to St Albans City with the last home game on the preceding Monday (May Day Bank Holiday May 2nd) when Eastbourne Borough are the visitors.
Keep an eye on the Angels Twitter Account for news of more signings ahead of the 21/22 season.