Captain Sonny Miles is set to make his 500th appearance for Tonbridge this weekend.

Miles, 32, will become just the third player in Angels’ history to reach the milestone if, as expected, he takes his place in central defence at home to Havant on Saturday (3pm).

It’s an extraordinary achievement at a relatively young age, particularly when you think he had a year away from the club and two seasons were curtailed by Covid.

He’s been ever-present under Jay Saunders this season - just the third Angels manager he’s played for after the long reigns of Tommy Warrilow and Steve McKimm.

“To get to 500 games is something I’m very proud of,” said Miles.

“I’ve been lucky with injuries over the years.

“I might not always have the best game but I’d like to think I always give 100% every time I play.

“I’ve always tried my best. Sometimes it’s good enough; sometimes it isn’t. I’ll let other people decide on that.”

Miles came through the youth ranks at Longmead before breaking into the first team.

He’s been part of two promotion-winning campaigns and remains a key man at the back.

“The club’s changed massively over the years,” he said.

“My first manager in the under-9s, under-10s, under-11s, whatever it may be, was Colin Blewden, and we used to go and watch the first team.

“The big stand over the back that we’ve got now was an old cow shed with some sleepers in it and the pitch was like a cow field.

“You look now with the 3G, the nice stand over the back with the seats and the stands behind each goal, it’s a really nice place to play football.

"I’d imagine in the near future there will be plans to improve it even more.”

Longmead may have changed but how about Miles?

“No, I’ve always been slow and useless,” he said.

“When you’re a centre-half who has no pace, you get used to playing slightly differently.

“You have to read the game a little bit better.

“I remember being told when was I younger that your career goes just like that, and it has done.

“I say to that to the young players now, I try and put my arm round them and look after them.

“They’d probably say the complete opposite and say I moan at them all the time.

“I know I’m a loud and whingeing centre-half but I think I’m starting to mellow.”

At 32, Miles has plenty of time to add to his appearances.

He takes it season by season and will know when it’s time to stop.

“At the end of every season I sit down and talk with my wife,” said Miles.

“The life of a non-league footballer who works is sometimes overlooked by people.

“Don’t get me wrong, you get paid for the privilege of doing it, and plenty of people would bite your hand off to do it.

“You work all week, train Tuesday, Thursday, and you’re out all day Saturday unless we’ve got a home game.

“I’ve got two kids who don’t see much of their dad.

“I’ve always said I’ll only play all the time I’m enjoying it and I still am.

"Whenever I stop, I’d like to think I’ve had a relatively good crack at it.

"National South is a good level. You’ve only got to look at the teams in there.

“I don’t see myself playing park football - I’d like to go out higher rather than lower.

“I don’t want to be remembered as a fat old man who can’t run.”