Tonbridge Angels are delighted to welcome to the Halcyon Wealth Longmead Stadium, Sean Shields, a 31 year-old winger, who arrives from Combined Counties League Rayners Lane.

Sean has had a rich career since joining Tottenham Hotspur as an eight year-old and spending eight years as a youth player with the north London giants.

Whilst born in Enfield, he qualified to play for Northern Ireland through his father and made two Under-21 appearances for the Irish.

Moving into senior football, he found his first real home at St Albans City, where he made 71 appearances and scored 13 times in a three season spell. In 2013, he earned a move into the Football League when he joined Dagenham and Redbridge, then of League Two. In a two year term, he made 13 appearances, but was also loaned back to St Albans with a further loan move to Ebbsfleet United, where in 2015 he really put down roots with a successful five season term in which he amassed 116 appearances, scoring 15 times.

Sean’s time at Stonebridge Road was also punctuated with various loan moves before departing for Weymouth in 2020 where he spent two seasons making 66 appearances (seven goals).

His recent career has taken him to Barnet and Scunthorpe United before starting this term at Rayners Lane.

Jay Saunders, said of his highly experienced acquisition, “Sean is someone I’ve known about for quite a while and I am delighted to bring him to Tonbridge. He brings real quality and experience to the group and will improve us in attacking areas with goals and assists.”

Sean commented, after training with his new team mates: “The gaffer has shown a real desire to get me through the door for a number of weeks and I am thoroughly looking forward to starting this next challenge in my career. This is a talented group of players and I want to be the catalyst for an upsurge in results for the team. All it takes is one win to kick start a positive run of form, which is what we are targeting on Saturday.”

Tonbridge Angels can also confirm that they accepted an approach for Gianni Crichlow and he has left the club to join Braintree Town. Under the terms of his release, Gianni will not be permitted to play for Braintree against the Angels this season in National League South or should the clubs be drawn together in the FA Trophy.

Jay Saunders said, “Gio has shown a great attitude during his time at Tonbridge Angels. We thank him for his efforts and wish him well at Braintree Town Football Club.”