Steve McKimm has paid tribute to Sonny Miles after the Tonbridge captain’s record-breaking appearance.

Miles made his 377th league start for the club in Saturday’s 3-1 win at National South leaders Dorking.

It was the perfect way to bring up a new club record as Tonbridge completed the double over a side who were looking for an 11th successive victory.

The big defender left for Maidstone soon after McKimm succeeded Tommy Warrilow at Longmead in 2014.

But he returned a year later after winning the Isthmian Premier title and has barely missed a game since.

“As much as Sonny moans, he’s a dream to manage,” said McKimm.

“He’s a quality player that sometimes doesn’t believe in himself and the ability he’s got because he’s seen as this head-it-and-kick-it centre-half but he’s much more than that.

“The players look up to him, they respect him, as he respects them.

“Young or old, he treats everyone the same.

“He’s a credit to himself, his wife Sam, his kids, his family and everybody associated with him.

“I’ve got to say this, and this isn’t nostalgia talking, I’m glad I’ve had the chance to manage him.

“He was one of the first ones I lost when I came in but I never begrudged him moving because he saw where our was going at that point (Tonbridge had just been relegated from Conference South), Maidstone wanted him and he went there and won the league.

“For whatever reason, he was surplus to requirements, we had a conversation and he came straight back.

“He’s someone that everybody grows to love once they know him.

“People say he’s a moaner, and this and that, but he does it because he wants to win, and I was the same.

“It’s a great achievement to get the record.”

Joe Turner and Tommy Wood’s double earned victory at Dorking as Tonbridge strengthened their survival bid.

They lost 3-1 in a rearranged game at Eastbourne last night, despite taking an early lead through Adam Coombes, but have a nine-point cushion over bottom side Billericay.

“Our season won’t be defined by beating Dorking but it shows we can play against anyone and beat anyone,” said McKimm.

“We’ve picked up of late but, as I keep reminding the players, there’s a hell of a long way to go to get safe.

“I look at it and, bar one or two, we’ve approached every game with confidence.

“We’re not a team who are going to sit back, the players don’t want to do that and the management don’t want to do that.

“The game we’ve lost, 90 per cent of the time it’s by the odd goal, which is through our lack of finishing, errors on our part or a bit of good play from the opposition. We’ve not been torn apart.”