Tonbridge Angels manager Jay Saunders wasn't about to release Sonny Miles again

New Tonbridge boss Jay Saunders had no intention of letting Sonny Miles go for a second time.

Saunders released Miles seven years ago at former club Maidstone after winning the Isthmian Premier title.

The big defender had lost his place towards the end of the season and Saunders decided against keeping him on in National South.

So he returned to Tonbridge after only a year at the Gallagher and has barely missed a game since, playing a key role in Angels' 2019 promotion under Steve McKimm and excelling at the next level.

Angels had the sixth best defence in National South this season, despite finishing 16th, thanks in no small part to skipper Miles.

The 31-year-old, voted supporters' player-of-the-year, signed a new deal this week, rejecting the advances of other clubs to stay and add to his 478 Tonbridge appearances.

"I rang Sonny and said you’ve probably seen I’ve got the job," said Saunders.

“He sounded a little bit cautious at first but he’s a good lad and I didn’t want to lose him.

“To be fair, we’ve always stayed in touch, whenever we saw each other we’d shake hands and have a good chat.

“It was a long time ago, he was a lot younger then and when I let him go I didn’t think he was ready for what I needed at that point.

“He was disappointed at the time but he understood. When I rang him I told him I wanted to keep him around.

“He had a couple of offers but I’m really pleased to keep him on board.

“He’s the skipper, he’s nearly the record appearance holder and he’s well-liked, so it was important we kept him."

Saunders has strengthened the backline with the addition of centre-half Ben Swift, his captain at Margate.

He's also struck new deals with Craig Braham-Barrett and Tom Parkinson and is hoping to hold on to