Fine Vines: Paul Vines challenges during Tooting & Mitcham's 1-0 play-off final triumph over Cray Wanderers on Saturday Deadlinepix Chris Gray SP20378
Tooting & Mitcham head off on their end-of-season break in Magaluf next week with one man out to make sure he gets his money's worth.
Striker Paul Vines bagged 26 goals this season to lead the Terrors into the Ryman Premier League.
They included both goals in last Tuesday's play-off semi-final against Worthing and the winner in Saturday's final against Cray Wanderers to make amends for the disappointment of their play-off final defeat last season.
And it went some way to redeeming the 24-year-old for a poor disciplinary record that saw him miss six games through suspension thi season.
Two red and five yellow cards mean Vines he has handed over more cash than most to the team's fines kitty - including a week's wages - that pays for the Majorca blow-out.
Vines, who recently traded painting & decorating for an office job, insists he has learnt his lesson after coughing up more than £100 in fines.
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"Bookings cost you about £8 a go and red cards £25, so it has been quite an expensive year for me," he said.
"I have to take full responsibility for that. I squared up to a player after a challenge and I should have been big enough to walk away.
"We are fined by the club for things like talking your way in to the book and for violent conduct.
"That money goes to the trip to Spain, so I think I have paid my way.
"It makes you realise your actions have an affect on the other people at this club. I could have scored more goals, but for missing games."
Vines, who names Cray Wanderers, Bromley and Beckenham among his past clubs, crashed in 42 goals in all competitions last season.
But the IT recruitment consultant, whose exploits have interested the likes of Millwall this year, may have been on his way out of the Terrors had it not been for a heart-to-heart with boss Billy Smith.
"Scoring goals has been my job for as long as I can remember and when I first joined the club I had a long spell on the bench," he added.
"I have always been a confident player and things weren't going right. I felt I only needed a goal to get my confidence up, so Billy gave me a chance.
"I scored a hat-trick in an FA Cup tie and haven't looked back since."
While Vines banged in the goals, older brother Joe came back from a broken ankle to lead the defence to two clean sheets in the play-offs.
"I enjoy playing in the same team as him," added Paul.
"I am confident in his ability and it adds to you confidence at the other end of the pitch when you see him at the back.
"He can do anything on his day. He can deal with this or that.
"When he is fit and available he makes a huge difference to our game."
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