Angell started his career as a defender at Second Division side Portsmouth, but never made the first team and was released in 1987. It wasn't until he joined Cheltenham Town in July 1987 that Angell was converted from defender to a striker by the club's then manager John Murphy, who had discovered the player at a 6-a-side game. He scored 22 goals in 1987–88, becoming the Conference club's top-scorer. In February 1988, he was signed by Arthur Cox at First Division club Derby County for a fee of £45,000.