Tonbridge Angels boss Steve McKimm hopes any myths about his playing budget can now be put to bed.

McKimm is backing a 12th man scheme to inject extra funds, while injured player Tommy Whitnell has also donated his wages to allow them to go back into the pot.

Those measures might surprise a few other managers in the Bostik Premier.

McKimm said: “I am not pleading poverty but people saying Tonbridge Angels have a massive budget are way off the mark.

“Since I have been here I have seen managers come out and say things like that and it winds me up, it’s pathetic. If they call me I am happy to put them straight.

“I know what I have got and I am fed up with people saying we have a massive budget. It grates on you after a while. It needs to be put to bed.

“I have nothing to hide. A lot of people will tip-toe around it but I’m straight, I won’t tell lies. Some people haven’t got a clue.”

Whitnell has just had an operation on his knee and will be sidelined for a couple more months. During that time he’s happy to forgo his money.

“It’s brilliant from him,” said McKimm. “We do look after our players when they are injured but he said he would give up his wages. That’s a goodwill gesture that goes a long way in my eyes.”

That decision, along with the departure of striker Andre McCollin, allowed McKimm to recently add some loan recruits to the squad.

McCollin has since joined Merstham – Angels’ next opponents. It will be the first of three games against teams below them in the table.

But McKimm warned: “We beat Leiston who are above us but lost to Tooting, who are below us. The league positions mean nothing.

“Merstham (on Saturday) are seven points behind us, they are a good attacking team.

Same as Dorking (on Tuesday), that will be a hard game and Worthing (next Saturday) after that."

George Beaven misses out through suspension this weekend.