Tonbridge summer signing Ibby Akanbi believes he’s joined a club who are going places.

Striker Akanbi made his first start as Angels beat Dover 1-0 at Longmead on Tuesday night.

Victory saw Jay Saunders’ side put their first points on the board after starting the National League South season with successive 1-0 defeats by Worthing and Weston.

Akanbi was a late pre-season arrival after leaving Worthing and likes what he’s seen of his new club.

It’s his second Kent side, having previously played at Maidstone, and he’s glad to be back in the county.

“I loved my time at Maidstone - I’ll never forget how well the fans treated me there - but I’m at Tonbridge now and my focus is on here,” said Akanbi.

“It’s a great club - I didn’t realise how good till I got here.

“I can’t lie, the way the whole set-up is, they’ve definitely been improving and the whole camaraderie is amazing.

“I’m really enjoying it.”

Akanbi’s pace, power and eye for goal make him a big asset.

Angels boss Saunders is a long-time admirer and that helped make up the player’s mind to sign.

“Last season, I found a team in Worthing where I could play,” said Akanbi.

“They had a great gaffer, a great team and I learned a lot.

“I felt I improved as a player down there, and I scored a couple of goals, but I felt I needed something closer to home.

“Worthing’s a great club but it’s too far away for me.

“Tonbridge is a lot closer for me and it made it the perfect fit.

“I get along well with the manager and I knew a couple of the boys, so it felt like the best option for me.

“My biggest thing is getting game time and trying to help the team do well this season.

“I’ve had some good managers but definitely with Jay I feel like he really trusts me as well and, like he’s said, he knows what I’m about as well.

“It’s good sometimes not to have to always show what you’re about because you kind of get stuck in that mentality as a new player coming into a club.

“But where he actually knows who I am, I feel a lot more comfortable and confident in being able to show my stuff on the pitch as well.”

Akanbi’s mentor and former Maidstone coach Ryan Gordon acted as an adviser in the deal.

The pair go back years, Akanbi having played under Gordon at the University of East London.

“Ryan’s a ledge guy,” said the striker.

“He helps me out - he’s a mentor to me.

“We have conversations about football all the time that can go on for hours.

“We have passion for the game, he sees how much I love the game and just wants to help me.

“He believes I’ve got crazy potential and I appreciate that.

“He’s been in the game a long time, he knows a lot of people and he gives it to me straight - he never sugarcoats things.

“That’s what I need, I don’t need to be told stories, I want to be told how it is.

“That’s another thing I like about Jay. He’s very straightforward and you know where you are with him.

“He’s very honest and that’s the kind of people I like.”

Midfielder Lewis Gard scored Tonbridge’s winner against Dover, while Angels keeper Jonny Henly saved a penalty.

Tonbridge visit Chippenham tomorrow (3pm).