Carl Rook turned down the chance to play in the Conference Premier to return to Tonbridge Angels on a loan deal to the end of the season.
The striker, who left Tonbridge last season to join Dartford, was loaned back to the Angels last week and started in the two recent draws against Kingstonian and Wealdstone.
Rook admitted he was surprised at the speed of the move back to Longmead, having been told last Tuesday by Dartford boss Tony Burman that he needed to go out on loan and get some games.
Conference Premier side Eastbourne Borough had expressed an interest, as had Carshalton Athletic, but when Angels boss Tommy Warrilow came calling, there was only one place the former Horsham man was going.
“Tony Burman told me I was going out on loan on the Tuesday and by Thursday I was back at Tonbridge,” Rook said. “It was quite a surprise to me if I’m honest, but there are three strikers at Dartford fighting for one place and I’ve been in and out of the side. The manager said that I needed to get out and get some games and I agreed. I made the decision to go back to Tonbridge, which was an easy one really; they’re pushing for promotion so hopefully I can score some goals to get us there.”
The 28-year-old scaffolder admitted the prospect of playing in the Conference Premier with Eastbourne Borough had appealed, but having looked at away trips to Wrexham, Gateshead and Southport in the next few weeks, work commitments ruled that out.
Having experienced the agony of missing out in the play-offs with the Angels in his first spell, Rook is confident Tonbridge have the squad to go one better this time around. Warrilow has also set him a goal target for the remaining games of the season, and the striker says promotion for Tonbridge to the Conference South next season may come into the equation when it comes to sorting out his future this summer.
He said: “It’s a shame if it has not worked out at Dartford, whether the manager sees something in me he does not like I don’t know.
“I’d love to be able to help Tonbridge go up and Tommy has set me a target of 10 goals in the last 12 games and hopefully I can achieve that. This is the best squad he has had at the club, and he’s had some good players in the last few years but not many would get in this side.
“I’m out of contract in the summer, but it’s up to other people with what happens. I’ve been in and out of the team at Dartford, but then you get an offer from Eastbourne Borough in the Conference Premier and it makes you think that someone sees something in you to play that level. I also really enjoy playing at Tonbridge and I enjoyed my time at Dartford, so there’s a lot to weigh up at the end of the season.”
Via: www.kentnews.co.uk