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Tonbridge Angels boss Steve McKimm says winning the Bostik Premier play-offs should mean promotion

06:23, 07 May 2019

updated: 06:47, 07 May 2019

Winning the play-offs doesn't mean Tonbridge are promoted - and boss Steve McKimm isn't happy.

Angels were celebrating on Monday after beating Merstham 2-0 in the Bostik Premier final at Longmead.

But a league restructure means they still need to win one more game to get up into National League South.

Scroll down to hear from Tonbridge manager Steve McKimm.

Tonbridge boss Steve McKimm with the Bostik Premier play-off trophy Picture: Sean Aidan
Tonbridge boss Steve McKimm with the Bostik Premier play-off trophy Picture: Sean Aidan

Tonbridge will travel to face Met Police, the Southern League play-off winners, in the 'super play-off' on Saturday.

McKimm said: "One more win and we’re promoted - but it should be today.

"How can they allow us next year to go up if we’d won it? The year before? Why is it only this year? That’s what gets my goat, I can’t get my head around it.

"These players have worked hard and normal play-offs is one game and then a final. We’ve had one game, a final and we’ve got to have another final.

"It’s pathetic, especially when you know next season all play-off winners go up. You’ve got to speak to the powers that be because I think it’s ridiculous.

"In my eyes, we’re promoted. We’ve been the fall guys and I’m not happy with it but we’ve got to get on with it and prepare for Met Police."

It's been a tough season for McKimm, who was ready to resign during a poor run of results around Christmas, but he was hoisted aloft by his players on Monday as the trophy was presented on the pitch.

There were great scenes at the full-time whistle as McKimm shared a tight embrace with his family.

Goalkeeper Jon Henly punches clear as Angels come under pressure Picture: Sean Aidan
Goalkeeper Jon Henly punches clear as Angels come under pressure Picture: Sean Aidan

He said: "My daughter and wife got back from America at 9.30 this morning and came straight here.

"They’re here for me, they support me all through the season, through the tough times and to celebrate with them and my two boys, no-one can take that away from me.

"I’ve had absolute pelters from people, things were expected more than what they should do but what we’ve achieved now with what we’ve got at this football club is second to none and I couldn’t be prouder of the players and the staff.

"My family means everything to me. That meant a lot for me and it meant a lot for them."

McKimm got his tactics spot-on as Angels restricted Merstham to a handful of half-chances across the 90 minutes.

It was 10-a-side in the second half following straight red cards for Sonny Miles and Oliver Cook but the home side responded well, especially after Joe Healy came on to make his debut in the centre of midfield.

McKimm said: "People will talk about it but I signed Deren (Ibrahim) and Joe in case of injuries. We didn’t have any midfielders left with Tom Beere’s cruciate and Tom Parkinson’s ankle.

"I signed Joe and he was going to come in when he could. He came in and he was assured in there for me and he helped out.

"Rather than me move Joe Turner into centre midfield I put him in there and it worked.

"We knew they’d throw bodies forward so all we had to do when we got it was make the right pass, pick them off, and we'd got some pace against their back four with Joe Turner, Adam Ramaden and Chinedu McKenzie to cause them problems and we did that.

"Our game plan worked - not individuals, the whole squad and the whole staff. They got us that today and it’s amazing. I’m so proud of them."

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