Thank you Tom

[sussexdiamond]

So sorry to see you go. Thanks for so many great moments not just the goals. A real Gent, always available to talk to fans and a great club man. I am sure you will score many more goals and do an excellent job for Parky. Very best wishes to you and your family.What made his record so special was that it spanned Steps 5,4 and 3 and something like 300 appearances whereas Alfie's was only at 6 and 5 (no disrespect to Alfie intended there)

[rdusher]

Absolute legend for the club. We've been lucky to have him and he's grown with the club year on year. Always speaks total sense when interviewed and clearly loves the club. Thanks for everything Shanks!!






Deserved a proper send off, rather than exiting through a side door in the dark.

[Brownie]

To me shanks epitomised everything that’s good about non league football. Like a few others this Club has been fortunate enough to have on the playing staff over the years, never complained, got on with his job ever when receiving some possibly unwarranted crap from the terraces over the years and smiled through it, was I’m sure a pleasure to manage and did a job that many demanding much more would have failed to do at a level he consistently achieved. Oh and if that wasn’t enough always was and still is a lovely genuine lad who’s only wish was probably to do the best he possibly could for the Club he was playing for. I’m sure everyone knew once the 100 had been reached this announcement was never far away and I guess the signing of new front men made it easier for him as I have no doubt he wouldn’t have wanted to leave until the Club had suitable replacements in place.
Watched most of your ??? games Shanks and appreciate every minute you gave to the Club, but most of all I’ll remember you as that nice lad I knew through the having a family years as well as going through the almost complete hair loss phase
All the best for the future Shanks not just regarding football and hopefully see you about.

[Ricky330]

Agree with all of the above comments. Great footballer. Great fella too. One of life's Nice Guys. Really hope the Club can organise a proper celebration/send off at the end of season do??

[Dazzler]

[Dbsl]

Like many others I watched Tom grow as a player through the leagues and I wake up this morning with a feeling of emptiness and sadness that he has left a club that we all know, he loved. Just seen Tom's tweet and that sums up for me what a really decent bloke he is. Good luck Tom and family and really hope that we see you around from time to time

[Formic]

I must echo the comments above. Like the club itself, Tom seemed to adjust so well as we moved up the leagues, and was always a player whose name you were pleased to see on the teamsheet given his undoubted dedication and effort.

It's good to see how much he valued his time with the club, and the regard he had for the fans.

[Cotty]

Best wishes for the future. So sorry to see you go.

[AFCRD_Dan]

A true AFCR&D legend. Sad to see him go.

[AFCRD_Dan]

To me shanks epitomised everything that’s good about non league football. Like a few others this Club has been fortunate enough to have on the playing staff over the years, never complained, got on with his job ever when receiving some possibly unwarranted crap from the terraces over the years and smiled through it, was I’m sure a pleasure to manage and did a job that many demanding much more would have failed to do at a level he consistently achieved. Oh and if that wasn’t enough always was and still is a lovely genuine lad who’s only wish was probably to do the best he possibly could for the Club he was playing for. I’m sure everyone knew once the 100 had been reached this announcement was never far away and I guess the signing of new front men made it easier for him as I have no doubt he wouldn’t have wanted to leave until the Club had suitable replacements in place.
Watched most of your ??? games Shanks and appreciate every minute you gave to the Club, but most of all I’ll remember you as that nice lad I knew through the having a family years as well as going through the almost complete hair loss phase
All the best for the future Shanks not just regarding football and hopefully see you about.

I’ve only ever heard one person being negative toward Tom, bizarre to be honest, as his goal scoring record speaks for itself.