Relegation ends Tooting & Mitcham's suffering (From Streatham Guardian)

Relegation ends Tooting & Mitcham's suffering

2:17pm Thursday 12th April 2012 in Ryman Premier League By Graham Moody, Sports Reporter

Tooting & Mitcham’s four-year stay in the Ryman Premier League finally came to its inevitable end on Easter Monday.

A 3-0 defeat at Carshalton Athletic, where former Terrors hero Paul Vines scored a hat-trick, confirmed relegation to Ryman Division One South with four games to go.

It followed Friday’s 2-1 defeat to AFC Hornchurch at Imperial Fields – where Connor French’s goal had briefly looked like causing an upset before the promotion-chasers scored twice late on to snatch the win.

Tooting have now lost their last nine matches as their fight against relegation petered out in the final months of the campaign.

Questions will now be asked about the future of both manager Kenny Brown, who took over from Mark Beard midway through the season, and the first team – who have had their wages slashed in recent weeks.

Former West Ham ace Brown was tasked with avoiding relegation but, despite twice overhauling the playing squad, could not drag the club away from the drop.

Tooting will look to regain pride this Saturday when they host Margate before games against Wealdstone, Hendon and Bury Town.