Tom Derry repaid fans who funded his move by firing Tonbridge to promotion.

Angels were only able to sign Derry from East Thurrock in February after supporters had a whip-round to cover his wages.

So it was fitting he should score the extra-time winner in a 3-2 super play-off final victory at Met Police as Steve McKimm’s side reached National South.

Derry was determined to go the extra mile and delivered by heading home Jared Small’s cross in the 97th minute.

He said: “The fans clubbed together, put their hands in their pocket and I think sometimes, like today, I had to find a little bit extra because it’s different when the fans are paying your wages.

“They come to watch you play, they pay to get in and they’re putting their hands in their pocket just for you to be here, so I’m very grateful for that.

“I don’t know who puts the money up but it means a lot not only to me but also the boys to have another option in the squad.

“This is one of the best experiences I’ve ever had in football and life in general. I’m over the moon we’ve done it.”

Derry’s instinct after scoring was to celebrate with Tonbridge fans behind the goal - only to realise they weren’t there.

Unbeknown to the former Gills youngster they had stayed down the other end of the ground for the first period of extra time.

He said: “It was a weird one because none of our fans were behind the goal.

“It was a bit eerie. I ran to celebrate behind the goal and realised it was the Met fans and I had to do a U-turn and come back and celebrate with the team.

“We put in some shift there. All the boys were quality.

“We came from behind twice and we’ve not had to do that in the other play-off games, so I think we showed a lot of character.

“Jared’s come on and put in a great cross and I’ve stuck my head on it - and we’re going up.

“The last few games I always pull round the back because I know I can beat defenders in the air.

“A few times today I’ve gone near post and it’s not quite worked and I just thought, ‘I’m going to get round the back and see what happens’ and luckily it’s gone in.”

Tonbridge were six minutes away from another season in the Bostik Premier when D’Sean Theobalds’ brilliant solo effort made it 2-2 and forced extra time.

Derry added: “We felt stronger than them, even when we went behind.

“As soon as it went to extra time you could see we had more legs, were fitter and had more heart and more desire and we got the business done.”

Derry can see Tonbridge surprising a few National South big guns next season, particularly if McKimm keeps the promotion-winning squad together.

He said: “I think the gaffer’s going to have a few chats next week. We’ll just see what happens.

"It would be great if we could all stick together because I don’t see why we can’t go and cause an upset in the league above.

“We’ve got technically gifted players but I don’t think it really matters when you work as hard and run as hard as we do.

“Everyone fights for each other. We said today, everyone goes to the trenches, ready for war, and I think that’s why we came out on top.”

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