Saunders To Step Aside As Tonbridge Start Their Search

The former Maidstone United boss has helped establish the club as a force in the National League South and they currently sit 11th in the table.

But after three seasons at the helm, he is ready for a fresh challenge within the game.

Saunders told the club’s website that this is not a decision taken lightly and he thinks the club will continue to progress once a new manager is appointed.

““I would like to take this opportunity to thank Tonbridge Angels for the chance I was given to lead this great club,” he said. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of my time here and would like to think I leave the club in a good place to keep progressing.

“Everyone at Tonbridge Angels has made me and my family feel so at home and I couldn’t speak highly enough of the place. I really believe the club will keep growing. With plans to take the club forward, I believe whoever is lucky enough to take over from me has a great opportunity.”

He informed the Kent club’s chair Sophie Purves of his decision to leave at the end of the season on Friday, before the 1-0 defeat to Torquay United.

Reacting to the news, she said: “On behalf of the Board and everyone at the club I’d like to thank Jay for all his fantastic efforts since he joined Tonbridge Angels in 2022.

“He has been an absolute pleasure to work with over the past three seasons and he has successfully established our position as a real contender in National League South. Each season the team he has assembled has outperformed expectations competing well against full time clubs with greater resources.

“We will all miss Jay greatly and we wish him the very best for his next chapter in football. Jay and his family will always be welcome here at Tonbridge Angels.”