Match Preview

Match preview – Tooting & Mitcham United (21/10/17)

An entrepreneurial estate agent is aiming to build on the success of last season when he becomes temporary resident of the Longmead visitors’ dug-out.

Frank Wilson plotted promotion and secured the 2016/17 Bostik South title, in a deed that would have impressed the home faithful at Imperial Fields, in South London. Tooting and Mitcham United gazumped Dorking Wanderers on goal difference, with the pair both earning 105 points in the bid for top spot.

The Terrors will be hoping the impressive return on their investment marks the beginning of a successful era, after a downturn that had involved lower level football since relegation in 2012.

Wilson laid the foundations for last term’s achievements in his first year (2015/16), when his side enjoyed the taste of a trophy. The Morden-based men clinched the London Senior Cup following a 2-0 victory over higher division Hendon.

Most of the glory days were at the old home at Sandy Lane, where thousands once filled every inch of space during championship chases and memorable matches - some of the latter on the national stage.

The former vintage venue hosted various high-profile FA Cup games against league sides, including a clash against Crystal Palace in the First Round Proper of 1974/75. In front of 10,000 people, the Terrors seized a first minute lead but succumbed 1-2, to neighbours then competing in the old Third Division.

A year later, United reached the Fourth round, eventually losing at Bradford City by 3-1. On the way, the South Londoners knocked out Swindon Town in a replay at the third stage of the competition. In the original tie in Wiltshire, the full-timers seemed on course for victory after taking a 2-0 lead. But the non-leaguers fought back and equalised, setting up a mouth-watering tussle on home soil. Another full-house saw a solo run from Alan Ives seal a 2-1 victory.

So the visitors have a proud history, with the Isthmian title among the more notable achievements on a lengthy roll of honour. They were overall champions in 1958 and 1960 – albeit well over half-a-century ago. For additional background, the club formed in 1932 following the merger of different teams representing two of the capital’s suburbs.

Recent decades proved less fruitful, with long periods of absence from the top flight of the set-up now backed by Bostik.

Since moving to Imperial Fields at the start of 2002/03, it has been largely a case of consolidation.

There have been spells in the Premier Division, but, until last term, glory has mostly been enjoyed in county cup contests with successes in both Surrey and London.

The current crop of players are still acclimatising to life at a higher level, after clinching the South championship at the end of April. The team won it in style, amassing 105 points and scoring 120 goals, eventually pipping Dorking to the pinnacle position.

Nearly half the number of strikes on target arrived courtesy of a big and powerful up-front double-act. Mike Dixon, a “no nonsense” forward whose previous employers include Salisbury City, netted 23 times, while attacking colleague Billy Dunn bagged 25 during the title tilt. The latter is much-travelled and is in his third spell at United. The experienced ace has quite a list of previous destinations but, arguably, the best are Hampton & Richmond and Sutton United.

The squad has been constructed by Frank Wilson, who away from football has been developing his estate agency business. He took over at Tooting during the summer of 2015 and led the club to the South Division title in his second season. Wilson first learned the managerial ropes as boss of the St Mary’s University’s men’s first team, in 2011/12. The debut proved decisive with elevation earned at the first attempt. The next step was appointment as a regional coach with the English Universities national side, before becoming involved at Imperial Fields, initially as chief of the reserves and then fulfilling a position as assistant coach of the main squad.

Wilson left to concentrate on his business interests but returned to take charge of the Terrors just over two years ago.

The aim will be to cement a strong position in the Bostik Premier, but results have been mixed so far. There have been some heavy losses, with Staines inflicting 0-7 misery on Tuesday October 3rd and that had followed a 0-4 hammering at Hendon a few days earlier.

However, the most recent outcomes have been encouraging. On Saturday October 7th Tooting defeated struggling Worthing in a 4-3 thriller and a week later recorded a convincing 3-0 win at Brightlingsea.

The Terrors are currently sitting in 23rd place, one above basement dwellers Worthing.

The Angels go into the weekend tussle in buoyant mood, after a superb 2-1 Tuesday triumph over Leiston. Steve McKimm’s men ended the-then league leaders unbeaten run and the crucial three points lifted the team into sixth spot (please see match report for details).

The Bostik Premier match between Tonbridge and Tooting & Mitcham United on Saturday October 21st, at Longmead Stadium, is a 3pm kick-off.