Tonbridge Angels captain Sam Corne on life at Longmead after seven years with Maidstone United

Sam Corne has settled in well at Tonbridge following his summer move from local rivals Maidstone.

Corne spent seven seasons at the Gallagher Stadium where his achievements included National League South title success and scoring FA Cup winners against Stevenage and Ipswich.

The midfielder also helped Maidstone reach a play-off semi-final and final and won two Kent Senior Cups in well over 200 appearances, as well as captaining the side for his final two seasons.

It was a big decision to leave but Corne, who was made Angels skipper by manager Alan Dunne, has hit the ground running after recovering from a pre-season calf injury.

At 30, the offer of a two-year contract was important for Corne and his family, and one he had to take.

He’s enjoying his time at Longmead, with Tonbridge 10th in National League South and hosting Torquay in a big FA Cup third qualifying round tie this Saturday (3pm).

“I’m enjoying it here,” said Corne. “Football’s football, isn’t it? The people here have been lovely, so I’ve got nothing to moan about.

“In an ideal world I would have stayed at Maidstone forever but there comes a time when you’ve got to think about your family.

“I’ve turned 30 now, so you’re looking for a little bit of security. I asked for two years on my deal, rather than more money, and the club couldn’t honour that, which is fine.

“They’ve got to do what they’ve got to do, which then left the door open to Tonbridge, and they gave me a two-year deal for that bit of security as I get older.”

It was a summer of change at Maidstone, with manager George Elokobi departing and assistant boss Craig Fagan stepping up to succeed him.

Announcements on Corne’s future were normally made before the end of each season but rumours were