Tonbridge Angels defender Jamie Fielding says a chance to play abroad never materialised but is happy to stay at the National South side for another season

Jamie Fielding insists Tonbridge Angels were the only team for him after his dream of full-time football failed to materialise.

The right-back has made more than 100 appearances for the club since signing from Stevenage in September 2021 but rejected a new deal earlier this summer at Longmead in search of a full-time offer.

Fielding was hoping to move abroad but when that didn’t happen, he was happy to return to a club where he’s enjoying his football.

Speaking to ANGELStv after a 4-2 win at Dover on Saturday, he said: “I had a full-time offer from abroad and that looked like it was going to go through, but for various different reasons it didn’t. It took too long and then other things came into it.

“I spoke to Jay Saunders (the Angels manager) who was giving me loads of advice in the summer. He wants me to go on and push on for myself as well, which is great.

“But it seemed right that if I was going to go to any club in the National South then it had to be Tonbridge. Since I came down from Stevenage, it’s been perfect. It’s a good group of boys we’ve got together and I am looking forward to the season.

“Fitness-wise we are getting there, 100%. It’s about building connections and sticking together and I think we’ve been doing really well.”

Fielding was on the scoresheet against Dover along with Sean Shields to put them two goals in front on 27 minutes. Dover hit back with a goal shortly after the restart and then drew level.

Two goals in the final 10 minutes won it for the Angels scored by trialists as Saunders continues to look at potential signings.

There was a second-half fightback from Saunders’ men on Tuesday night as they came from behind to beat a Charlton Athletic XI 4-3.

Charlton opened the scoring and although