New boss Alan Dunne was Tonbridge’s No.1 target to replace Craig Nelson as manager.

Dunne had been of interest to the Angels board after Jay Saunders announced he would be stepping down at the end of last season.

The former Millwall defender left his role as Bromley assistant manager in February but was taking a break from football and wasn’t available.

Nelson eventually emerged as the leading candidate, beating more experienced applicants to the job.

But as doubts over his position grew amid a seven-game winless streak at the start of the season, Tonbridge began to put contingency plans in place should a change be required at the National League South club.

That led to them back to Dunne and this time he was available.

The 43-year-old, who helped Bromley to FA Trophy glory and promotion to League 2 as Andy Woodman’s No.2, was announced as the new manager on Monday.

“Alan had been on our radar when we were first recruiting in April but he was having a break from football,” said Angels chair Sophie Purves.

“He was spending time with his family, he wasn’t available earlier.

“He was just somebody that we thought would be really good if we were looking to make a change and somebody we would want to target.

“We’re delighted we got who we really wanted.

“I think anyone who knows football at this level understands the big contribution he made at Bromley.

“That was a key thing for us. He’s well-known for being a workaholic, incredibly dedicated, detailed, no stone unturned and, from his playing style as well, he’s a tough character and he will bring that mettle and steel to the team.

“And he’ll give us the leadership and the style of leadership we need to make sure we continue in this division and push up the table this season.

“That’s the priority, to stay in this league, and it always has been the priority to stay in this league and push as hard as we can to try and progress.

“Our long-term ambition is to gain promotion.”

Nelson’s reign ended on successive away wins in the league, as well as FA Cup progress.

But the board believe there are weaknesses in the squad and they expect Dunne to address them.

“I think we will see some new players coming into the set-up quite quickly in the areas that Alan recognises need strengthening,” said Purves.

“He’ll be busy this week doing a full review of everybody and looking at personnel and making some decisions about strengthening in the right areas and building the group.

“There’s not a lot of time so it will be a week where he just gets straight on to it.”

Dunne, whose playing career also included a spell at Leyton Orient, has taken the job on a full-time basis.

Nelson, who was sacked on Sunday after 11 games, had been part-time, at least in theory.

“Jay Saunders was full-time and I think that’s something we recognise works best for us,” said Purves.

“Football at this level is all-consuming and you have to be on it all the time.

“I think it’s a full-time role even though your team is part-time because it’s constantly looking at recruitment options, watching games, analysing the opposition, maybe doing extra work with players that are coming back from injury or needing some extra one-on-one attention.

“It’s also having that relationship with the media and the board and our supporters, so I think it is definitely a benefit to have a full-time manager.”

Dunne has added former Millwall youth coach Larry McAvoy, a role he held for more than 20 years, to his management team.

Tonbridge visit Cray Valley, managed by ex-Angels boss Steve McKimm, in the FA Cup third qualifying round on Saturday.

McKimm led the club to promotion via a super play-off in 2019 and maintained their National League South status before being sacked at the end of the 2021/22 season.

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