Tonbridge Angels make a surprise decision to sack Craig Nelson and appoint ex-Millwall, Leyton Orient, Bromley player Alan Dunne.
The National League South side say goodbye to Nelson after 11 games in charge and with the team on a four-match unbeaten run after winning at Worthing.
They currently sit 15th with 10 points from 9 games played, and 3 points above the drop zone and 6 from the playoff places.
They drew 2-2 to Steyning Town Community in the FA Cup Second Qualifying Round, before winning the replay 6-1, and will face Cray Valley PM in the next stage, but under a new manager.
𝗖𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗚 𝗡𝗘𝗟𝗦𝗢𝗡 𝗗𝗘𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗦
Tonbridge Angels can confirm that Craig Nelson has left the club with immediate effect. We wish Craig every success for his future career.https://t.co/tikWK17QbS pic.twitter.com/BSm7a7202q
— Tonbridge Angels (@tonbridgeangels) September 21, 2025
CLUB STATEMENT ON SACKING:
Tonbridge Angels can confirm that Craig Nelson has departed the club with immediate effect.
Craig was unveiled as Angels’ new manager in April after holding previous positions at Lewes and Glebe FC.
Tonbridge Angels Chair Sophie Purves said: “We are sad we have had to make this difficult decision, but the board feels a change in manager is necessary in order to give us the best possible chance of maintaining our National League South status and secure the long-term future of the club.
“Craig is a great person and we would like to thank him for his efforts during his time at Tonbridge Angels. On behalf of everyone at the club, we wish Craig all the very best for his future endeavours in football.”
We thank all our fans for their superb ongoing support.
CLUB STATEMENT ON APPOINTMENT:
Alan Dunne appointed new Tonbridge Angels manager
Tonbridge Angels are delighted to announce the appointment of Alan Dunne as the new men’s first-team manager, a role he will perform on a full-time basis.
Dunne arrives at the Yeomans Community Stadium with an excellent reputation largely built on his work at Bromley FC, where he has been an integral part of The Ravens’ recent success.
Prior to that, the 43-year-old earned cult status at Millwall where he played almost 400 senior games. Joining the youth set up aged ten, he rose through the ranks to become first team captain and club legend, known for his committed and no-nonsense approach.
After a spell at Leyton Orient he joined Bromley in 2017 where he made 38 appearances before being promoted into Andy Woodman’s management team.
He was Woodman’s assistant from 2021-25, and played a pivotal and inspirational role as Bromley won promotion to League Two.
While at Bromley, Dunne won acclaim for his methodical, detailed approach and tactical know-how.
Tonbridge Angels chair Sophie Purves said: “We’re really pleased to appoint Alan Dunne. His excellent work at Bromley has convinced us he has what it takes to be an outstanding manager.
“The board believes he is a great fit for Tonbridge Angels and is the right person to take the club forward in the future. We are very pleased to have him at the helm.”
Dunne added: “I am extremely excited by the challenge I have been presented with at Tonbridge Angels. I believe it is a club with great potential and I will bring absolutely everything I can to the table.
“I am under no illusion about the challenge I face. National League South is the most competitive it has ever been, with some really strong teams and I pledge to the Angels’ fans and Board that I will do everything in my power to take the club forward.
“Throughout my playing career and my move into coaching and management I have always relished a challenge and I look forward to rolling my sleeves up and bringing those same qualities to Tonbridge Angels.”
Dunne’s first game in charge will be on Saturday at Cray Valley Paper Mills in The Emirates FA Cup Third Qualifying Round.
Here’s how fans reacted as Tonbridge make a surprise decision to appoint the ex-Millwall, Leyton Orient, Bromley player as manager…
@Peter34027959: Whatever you think about decision to change manager whether agree or dont, just got to get behind him and team now
@gafferconz: “Best possible chance of maintaining our National League South status” appoint a bloke with no managerial experience 🤣🤣
@bill35681: Done all this behind Craig’s back. @tonbridgeangels board should be ashamed of themselves.
@Bobbystewart03: Bet we sign a few players that clearly show he’s been given a better budget than Craig, gurantee it. This isn’t about football, this is about respect. You asked someone to do a job, they were doing it well. Fans were happy, relationship with players was back. No one wanted this. I will add though, I can see why the club would want someone with his experience in the game and potential. Just the timing and way Craig’s been thrown under the bus puts a sour taste in my mouth.
@dewg1978: Thought he’d turned the team around in recent weeks
@Peter34027959: 4 unbeaten in cup and out of relegation zone , seems very strange timing , shar with the chair be interesting
@bill35681: “Fan owned club” making another decision the fans had no part in and not explaining to the fans why.. if this was before Salisbury fair enough but it was all coming together..
@DanThomas797264: Absolutely ridiculous decision. Hope it costs you.
@mdavisontafc: Premature decision in my opinion. First month was a shocker and there could’ve been no arguments if they had done it then but to do it after two very good away wins at Salisbury and Worthing is extremely harsh.
@TrevB58:
The timeline is not about current results.
Put yourself in the Board’s position at the beginning of the month.
We were hopeless at home against Enfield & floundering.
Start fishing in the pond then, find your man, agree terms, ready to go within 3 weeks.
Et voila.
Game over.
@OnceADagger: Huge boost for Dagenham in this relegation battle as a part time team absolutely pissing it in comparison to us sacks their manager for no apparent reason. These idiots are absolutely clear of us right now. That’s how badly we are doing
@JimPars53543240: Lol when even a miniscule club sitting six, yes SIX places above us, act early & change manager whilst we sit there with our gormless, brain dead fu*kwit of an MD who holds the view ‘you can’t keep sacking managers’. #ThompsonOut 🦖
@TylerChambers_: Non-league football just never, ever fails to surprise me anymore 🤦🏼♂️
@lewis_hughes08: board hasn’t got a clue 🤷♂️ the squad starting to gel and get good results then the board does this…?
@CallumHallett6: The timing of this is strange? I knew Tonbridge would struggle this season, but they’ve come off the back of a superb win against a strong Worthing side, away from home. Can’t get my head around the timing of this at all! 🤔
@cosmicfray10: What the helly?? They beat Worthing yesterday which is a massive scalp at Step 2 and proves that his in game management is top. This makes no sense
@djc_86: Eh? Even if decision made previously. Form has been decent. Only thing can think is that players were made aware, who potentially would be coming in. Which would stink. The new man will have to continue the current winning formula.
@toptargets; If I’m being honest I thought it was a surprise appointment but didnt see this coming because I thought Craig was doing ok, big win against Worthing yesterday, only lost 2 of the last 9 in all comps, only lost 3 of their 9 league games, 15th in arguably the toughest NLS ever..🤔
@OffTheLineBlog: Really feel for @pittsthecoach. A tough gig (esp. following Saunders). One of the lowest budgets in the NLS. Only 1 defeat in 6. FA Cup progress. Up to 15th. Feel that he deserved longer. Strikes me as a good guy. He can hold his head up high, I feel. Big call for #TAFC.
— Max Meads (@MaxMeads_) September 21, 2025
Angels
I don’t get it ????
checks notes ahh yes
Won away at Dags
Scored 6 in the FA Cup
Won at Worthing
15th in the league and on the rise
sack manager
wat on earth are u doing?
Cobo pic.twitter.com/v6cbHp9oxR
— Colin Bowman (@bowmanontheroad) September 22, 2025
