Tonbridge Angels sign Joe Benjamin and Chris Piper (original) (raw)

Blue Square Bet South side Tonbridge Angels have signed Chris Piper and Joe Benjamin until the end of the season.

Former loanee Piper joins from Sutton United, while striker Benjamin, 21, has signed from Chelmsford City.

Manager Tommy Warrilow told BBC Radio Kent: "It's brought more quality into the squad. These lads are proven at this level and above."

Former skipper Scott Kinch has been released from Longmead to accommodate the new signings.

Tonbridge's latest moves in the transfer market come only a week after former Peterborough winger Nathan Korenteng joined the club.

The Angels have exceeded expectations in the league so far this season, but have gone six games without a win in the Blue Square Bet South, prompting Warrilow to freshen up the squad.

"It gives us more flair and gives us that raw power and pace that the two wide boys bring us.

"It keeps the squad on their toes, that's the most important thing," he said. "I don't want it to become stale and have people just turn up and put their bag under their peg.

"After the first half of the season, I felt we were a little bit naive in areas."

Warrilow said parting company with Kinch was one of the toughest things he has ever had to do.

"Kinchy has now got legendary status at the club because of what he did last year.

"He epitomised what the club is all about in the play-off final last year playing with a broken hand.

"Telling him that news is part of the job we all hate but we have to try and make sure that the club get players in to sustain this level."