Jay Saunders will be at Princes Park this weekend just days before he officially takes the helm at Folkestone Invicta and just weeks after he announced that he was leaving Tonbridge Angels at the end of the season. 

In his first interview with KSN since announcing he was leaving Tonbridge, Saunders has been explaining his reasoning for leaving Longmead in the first place as well as the new challenges that await him and his coaching team at Cheriton Road. 

“It’s a new challenge and one that my management team and I are really looking forward to now,” Folkestone’s new boss told us.  

“I have got nothing but good things to say about Tonbridge as a Club. Sophie (Purves the Angels Chair) and the board were great, and I couldn’t have had a better three years at a Football Club.”

“It really hasn’t been easy to leave, but it was a decision that I had to make as they wanted to start planning for next season and that’s why it came out early that I was leaving as they wanted to put players in place and other different things, and it was at that point I had to be honest and say that it was perhaps time for the Club to look for someone else and for me to look for a different challenge!” 

“Sophie was a bit shocked when we had the conversation initially – I think the board were as I say we had had a good working relationship, but I had to be honest and at the end of the day they understood and have been supportive ever since and it was going to be to carry onto the end of the season.” 

“But then the announcement was made that I was going to Folkestone, I just felt that it was right for me to leave now, and Sophie agreed, and that’s the way it’s gone. There has been no ill-feeling, no falling out, it’s just the way that we’ve decided to do it!” 

“Ever since I said I was leaving Tonbridge, the feedback from the fans has been positive. I think until the announcement that I was going to Folkestone now, the messages that I have had in general have all been of support and understanding my decision.” 

Saunders’ decision will see him stepping down into the Isthmian Premier.

“Like players who want to play at the highest level possible, you want to manage at the highest levels too! I met Folkestone initially about eighteen months ago when Josh (Healey) first took over the Club and asked Tonbridge if he could speak to me.”

“At the time I didn’t feel that it was right as I was enjoying my time at  Longmead and didn’t think it was the right time to move and I think since we met last week, he agreed it wasn’t the time as off the field they have learned a lot about the football side of things and the way that the Club is going.”

“So, when we met again, everything just felt right. The plans that they put forward are impressive; what they want to do at the Club is a project, it isn’t a question that we must win the League next year.”

“Of course, every team would like to, but he understands it’s a building project and it’s one that us as management team are really looking forward to.”

“It’s a League that is full of Kent teams, some massive derbies with big crowds and one that I think is exciting for everyone involved in Kent football.” 

“I didn’t expect to be going early – I started the week watching Farnborough who the Angels have this weekend. It wasn’t expected… I will be at Dartford on Saturday and won’t start the role until next week because of contracts and different things – it’s an opportunity to look at players and get a feel for the Club before the new pitch goes down in the summer.”

“Timing wise it gives us an opportunity to look at things and gives Tonbridge and Scott Wagstaff the opportunity to push for a top ten finish and I wish them all the best.”

“It gives them the opportunity to also get a new man in before the end of the season to do the same that end!” 

“I don’t think there is a great deal you can do at this stage of the season as you can’t sign players now. You go in and let the boys express themselves and see what they are about.”

“The squad Andy Drury built can beat anyone in the League so who knows what we can affect this season (Folkestone still have to travel to promotion chasing Billericay Town and Cray Valley before the season ends).”

“It will be interesting; I haven’t thought that far ahead! Now it’s just case of getting this weekend out of the way and seeing what happens next week!”