AFTER admitting he has never considered becoming a football club chairman before, Angels' supremo Steve Churcher is relishing his new role at the club and can't wait for Saturday's home match against AFC Hornchurch.

Churcher, previously club president, heads up the new board at the club following Nick Sullivan and Garry Pass' decision to relinquish their roles as chairman and vice-chairman respectively, in May.

Chris Drew, Mark Jenner and Maurice Brown make up the new board and Churcher is happy with how the summer has panned out both on and off the field.

"We have refurbished the pitch, although there a couple of dry patches around," Churcher said.

"The perimeter fencing has been completely renewed, courtesy of Garry Pass, and the players' tunnel and PA hut have been refurbished, thanks to Jed and The Clampets and the Supporters' association.

"We have made Garry the club president and Nick is a life vice president, so the pair of them are still involved with the club. I think we are unique in that way. Not many non-league clubs have ex-chairmen still involved with the club and it is nice to keep people involved who have been associated with the club.

"It has been a very busy summer and we know we can't afford to be complacent on and off the pitch. I am not going to jeopardise the financial stability of the club."

The club have secured a deal with a "high profile" local sponsor, which will be officially announced in late August, the team has a new kit and the official website, www.tonbridgeangels.co.uk, is up and running.

Further to this, Geoff Curtis, the programme designer, has been appointed as the club's commercial manager and has already sold some of the advertising boards around the ground.

On the playing side, Tommy Warrilow has had to say goodbye to a number of faces from last year's squad, but has recruited well in the summer and the team will be difficult to beat once more.

Experienced players at the Ryman level, Nick Davis, Kirk Watts and Jean-Michel Sigere, have come in to complement the squad that have remained.

Lee Worgan, Lewis Hamilton, Scott Gooding, Anthony Storey, Lee Minshull, Steve Ferguson, Jamie Cade and Paul Booth form the nucleus of the team and with a number of promising youngsters pushing for first team places, it promises to be a exciting season down at the Longmead.

"I think we can challenge the top teams, but we will need a bit of luck with injuries and suspensions," Churcher said. "I am looking forward to the season starting and it will be nice to get things moving.

"I would like to thank the supporters for pledging funds towards the playing budget and we will continue to look for investment as the season goes on."

Leon Legge has left the Longmead to pursue a career in the professional ranks at Brentford, a deal which netted the club an undisclosed fee, and Churcher said the club was 100 per cent behind his decision.

He added that Legge has been down to the club on several occasions since to train and this shows the affiliation he has with the club and his teammates, despite leaving.

Another player who was widely expected to leave the club was Carl Rook, the prolific striker went for a trial at League One outfit Brighton and Hove Albion, but he is still an Angels player and will remain so unless a suitable offer comes in for him.

A new chapter in Tonbridge Angels' history begins tomorrow.