Record appearance holder Sonny Miles will treasure the memories of his final day as a Tonbridge player.

Captain Miles is leaving Longmead after playing 527 games for the club across two spells since making his debut in 2008.

Bar a season at Maidstone, he’s been a one-club man and richly deserved his send-off from a crowd of almost 1,500 as Jay Saunders’ side beat Cheshunt 1-0 on the last day of the National League South season.

The centre-half was substituted to a big ovation in the closing minutes - a moment he won’t forget in a hurry.

Miles, 32, who’s been offered a testimonial, said: “The club made it a very special day for me and my family and it was a nice touch from Jay to bring me off a couple of minutes before the end.

“To get that round of applause will be something I remember for a very long time.

“When you watch it back, it’s very emotional. It’s something I’ll treasure for a long time.

“I remember making my debut and the old boys used to say to me, ‘Enjoy it because it flies past’ and it certainly does.”

Miles - keen to spend more time with his family - had been considering his future for a month or so.

And with Saunders looking to go in a different direction next season, it was the perfect time to bow out as ninth-placed Tonbridge secured their best-ever finish in National South.

“I’ll be honest, it hasn’t really sunk in yet,” said Miles, who won two promotions with Tonbridge.

“It’s all a bit strange and surreal at the moment but I’m looking forward to spending some time with my family and seeing how that rolls out.

“I took some time off from work about a month-and-a-half ago - something I’m not very good at - and spent time at home.

“It makes you think and I’m realising I’ve got a little one that’s five-and-a-half and a stepson that I’ve been around since he was a baby, who’s nearly 15, and it’s like, ‘Wow, where has that time gone and what have I missed?’

“I’ve been very lucky that I’ve had a very supportive and understanding wife.

“I was getting to a point where I was only seeing my family on a Sunday and is that good enough? Probably not.

“It’s a tough league, that National South, with all the teams that are in it.

“The awaydays are normally an all-dayer. You haven’t got time to do stuff in the morning.

“You’re getting ready to go, you get the coach at 10 o’clock and you’re getting back the same time that night.

“Next season, you’ve got Torquay, Weston, Truro, Yeovil, all those teams, so the commitment’s only going to be more.

“I had an honest chat with Jay the Thursday before it was announced I’d be leaving.

“He said he was going to go one way, what was I doing and how was that going to work out and we came to a mutual agreement.

“Jay said he wanted to release it before the last game because he felt I deserved the accolades, which was really nice.

“A lot of managers don’t speak to you until the end of the season and then it’s done and you don’t get a chance to say goodbye.

“It’s been an amazing season. The turnaround from last season has been sensational really and while we just missed out on those play-offs, it’s been a very good season.

“We’ve always been looking up rather than looking down, which is a credit to everyone.”

Despite racking up more than 500 games for Tonbridge, Miles would still be considered young for retirement.

The offers have been rolling in but he’s yet to decide whether to play on next season.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do yet,” said Miles, who works in the construction industry.

“It’s been a really busy period. I’ve had lots of calls and texts and bits and bobs on social media asking what I’m doing and would I be interested in this?

“Some of them have been not just playing but assistant manager and coaching.

“I was taken aback by that a little bit because I didn’t expect it but it’s nice.

“Like every player, if they’re not already sorted out, they normally have a couple of weeks to let the season settle down.

“I was leaving Tonbridge to spend more time with my family so there’s no point me going to sign for someone miles away and I’m doing more travelling.

“It would have to be the right thing for me and my family but I’ve been lucky to have a relatively successful career in non-league.

“I’ve enjoyed it and it’s been mainly one club, which is great.”