Tompkins decides to stick with Chipstead

CHIPSTEAD boss Mark Tompkins is looking to push on with his side after choosing to stay at the club after an approach from Tooting & Mitcham.

Despite speaking to the relegated Ryman League Division One South newcomers, Tompkins has opted to stay with Chipstead, adding that he wanted to continue what he had started at the club.

He said: "I have got things going well at Chipstead and although I did go and talk to Tooting, I favoured staying here. We have got things rolling here and I am already looking forward to next season."

Tompkins added that the loyalty of some of his players was also a factor in his decision to stay, saying that although he was ambitious, he wanted to stay with Chipstead for now.

Business Cards From Only £10.95 Delivered www.myprint-247.co.uk

myprint-247

View details

Print voucher

Our heavyweight cards have FREE UV silk coating, FREE next day delivery & VAT included. Choose from 1000's of pre-designed templates or upload your own artwork. Orders dispatched within 24hrs.

Terms: Visit our site for more products: Business Cards, Compliment Slips, Letterheads, Leaflets, Postcards, Posters & much more. All items are free next day delivery. www.myprint-247.co.uk

Contact: 01858 468192

Valid until: Sunday, June 30 2013

He said: "Tooting & Mitcham are a big club, having just come down from the Premier Division - and I used to play there, but we are vastly improved since I have been here and we are looking to push on to the next level."

Chipstead finished tenth in the league last season having been in and among the play-off chasers for large parts of the campaign, and Tompkins feels his side can have a go at a play-off spot again next season.

He said: "We have set ourselves up as a respected Ryman League club now.

"We were seen as the whipping boys before, but that has changed now and people know to expect a tough game with us."

However, Tompkins will have to release a few players this summer in order to bring others in, owing to budget constraints.

He said: "I have got to do that for the budget. I have spoken to the board and the budget is about the same as last year – it is not massive, but it is workable.

"We are going to set out to try to finish as high as possible again next season and a top ten finish and setting club records is not beyond us."

Tompkins said a centre forward was high on his priority list

He said: "We need someone to score some goals."

The, while he was also keen to strengthen his midfield and possibly bring in a right-back. "We did create a lot of chances last year, but we didn't take as many as we should have."

Meanwhile, Chipstead will not have a reserves team in the Suburban League next term, owing to a new groundshare agreement that will see Combined Counties League side Epsom and Ewell play their home games at High Road.

Chipstead will continue to run an U18 team though in the Ryman Youth League.