A new chapter begins for Tonbridge Angels Under-18’s as preparations continue for the start of another Isthmian Youth League campaign, with excitement building ahead of Monday night’s home opener against Horsham.
Following an unforgettable period that delivered back-to-back league titles and two cup finals, this season marks the beginning of a new era. The majority of last season’s squad have now progressed beyond U18 football, with many continuing their development through the club’s third-year Academy programme, while others have earned opportunities across the non-league pyramid. Former captain Ed Dyer has also embarked on an exciting new adventure in the United States, combining football with his studies.
Despite the inevitable rebuild, new U18 manager Roy Massey has assembled an exciting and ambitious squad for 2026/27. He has retained the experience of Ashton Lucas, George Vassilev and Harry Bingham from last season which provides an important foundation, while Alfie McGuire, Lennox Abel, Zachary Massey and Dexter Byatt have stepped up from last year’s Kent Youth League title-winning Under-16 side. These additions have been complemented by several eye-catching signings from highly respected local clubs, creating healthy competition throughout the squad.
The Under-18s will once again compete in the Isthmian Youth League alongside the League Cup, Kent Under-18 Cup and Kent Under-23 Cup, while combining with the Academy squad as the club embarks on another exciting FA Youth Cup campaign.
Pre-season has been disrupted at times through holidays and injuries, but it has nevertheless provided valuable opportunities to build relationships and establish the team’s identity. Victories over Ide Hill First Team, Deal Town U19s, Gillingham U16s and FC Revo’s First Team demonstrated the group’s quality, while defeats against Burgess Hill U18s and Kings Hill First Team proved equally important in highlighting areas for improvement. Massey has also rewarded five members of last season’s double winning Under-15 Kent Youth League side with their first Under-18 appearances, underlining the strength of the club’s player pathway.
Looking ahead to the new campaign, Massey said: “We have put together a young Under-18 group, all showing a great work ethic. We feel we’ve signed the right players who are coachable, self-motivated and push one another, all doing the right thing for the right reason.”
He added: “We know it’s going to be very tough, but collectively we are ready for the challenges ahead, starting with a difficult game on Monday as we welcome a strong Horsham side who will rightly be among the league favourites.”
The Tonbridge Angels Academy have a little longer to wait before their competitive campaign gets underway, with the Elite Squad beginning their league season at home to Whitstable Town on Wednesday, 9th September.
It has already been an exciting summer for the Academy as we embark on a new era. This season has seen a transition from our previous structure to a programme based full-time at the Yeomans Community Stadium, bringing our players closer than ever to the heart of the football club.
The move provides Academy players with greater access to the first-team environment, allowing them to see, feel and understand the standards required to make the step into senior football. That pathway has already been evident throughout pre-season, with several Academy players earning opportunities to train with Alan Dunne’s senior squad and impressing in the process.
Significantly, Alfie McGuire, Rocco Yiasemides and Dani Sulovari have earned places within the first-team squad for the upcoming campaign – a hugely proud moment for the players, their families and everyone involved in their development.
On the pitch, the Academy Elite Squad have started their preparations positively with victories over Gillingham and Cray Wanderers. Preparations continue on Wednesday when we visit Woking.
The Development Squad, who will compete in the Tactics League on Friday afternoons this season, began their pre-season programme away at Cray Wanderers on Wednesday.
Head of Academy Dom Welsh said: “Firstly, I’m delighted and proud to be given the opportunity to lead the Academy this season. It has always been an ambition of mine, and a big thank you must go to Tommy Parkinson for leading the Academy and allowing me to learn from him over the past eight seasons.
“Pre-season has been full of learning, but it has already provided some incredibly proud moments. Seeing three Academy players earn the right to be part of our first-team squad is fantastic, but equally rewarding is watching the players work hard every day, enjoy being together and understand that they are part of a fantastic football club.”
