Tonbridge Angels manager Alan Dunne knows he can attract players to Longmead but there’s more to it than that

Alan Dunne says players want to join Tonbridge Angels - it’s just whether he can afford them.

Manager Dunne is working hard on recruitment as he looks to build on an impressive campaign in National League South.

Angels finished 17 points clear of the bottom four, despite starting the season among the relegation favourites, as Dunne proved money isn’t everything.

Their form hasn’t gone unnoticed as players and agents weigh up their options but the boss knows he has to be realistic.

“Players want to come to the Angels,” said Dunne.

“Agents are telling me we can see you having a good season, we can see the club going forward, we can see how you play, we see the energy and how players speak, and we want to get on board.

“If I had a million quid I could probably take them all but I haven’t.

“As good as it is that everyone wants to come, it’s trying to get a squad that fits within our budget and that’s the difficult part.

“But we finished the season on a real positive, with some real accolades, so the club is in a good place.

“It’s exciting for next season to see what happens.”

Money often talks when it comes to getting deals over the line, even if that doesn’t guarantee success on the pitch.

It’s a challenge but one Dunne, who took responsibility for recruitment during his time as Bromley assistant manager, thrives on.

He said: “You can show players whatever you want, the best coaching, the best facilities, but if someone offers them £50 more, they’ll take it.

“It’s still so early on. We’ve had some time off, we’re in discussions with players, a lot of players want to come, I just need to try and work out financially whether we can make it happen.

“I did the recruitment at Bromley, so 90 per cent of the players at Bromley