'I'm staying put'
FRANNIE Collin has reiterated his desire to remain at Tonbridge Angels next season.
The future of the Conference South's top scorer has been subject of much speculation in recent months – a Championship club were rumoured to be showing interest in taking him on trial – but the 33-goal hitman says it would take a huge offer to drag him away from the Longmead.
"I'm more than happy at Tonbridge," Collin said. "I'm working together with my dad, so it would have to be a very good offer for me to go anywhere. I certainly would not go to any other non-league club. There's no reason to go anywhere else and I cannot see myself being anywhere other than Tonbridge at the start of the new season."
The 25-year-old is relishing the prospect of linking up with former Dover striker George Purcell in August. Too often last season the goal scoring burden fell upon Collin's shoulders and he is hoping he can strike up a formidable partnership with a player he came through the youth ranks of Gillingham with.
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"I've known him since we were youngsters and I cannot say how good a player he is," Collin said. " I was really surprised when he became available and Dover were not keeping him on. Tom (Warrilow) mentioned to me that he was trying to sign him and I said he'd be a great signing. I'm really looking forward to playing with him and think Dover will regret letting him leave. If we can strike up the same partnership we had as youngsters, it will be one of the best in the league."
Unsurprisingly Collin walked off with the big prizes at Angels' end of season awards night.
He took home the supporters', players' player and top goal scorer of the year awards, and joked he needed a wheelbarrow to carry them all home.
Amazingly, they are the first senior individual prizes he has won.
"I've been getting a bit of stick for it, but it's really nice and a bit of a surprise. They are the first awards I've ever won," Collin said.
"I picked up a young player of the year award when I was a kid at Chatham, but not had one since. I was chuffed. It's nice, especially the fans' award.
"They are the ones who pay the money, so it's nice to be appreciated by them."
Looking ahead, Collin admits the budget cuts and subsequent releasing of players at Angels has been disappointing, but believes the players left are more than good enough to push on next term.
"I know, ideally, Tom would love to have kept them on all on, but the budget cuts have happened," Collin said. "They are all brilliant lads and good players. Whoever signs them will be getting a bargain."
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