7thfeb05

Dartford fans prove they are the best in the business

DARTFORD fans and readers of their unofficial website have clubbed together to raise money for the Southern League Division One East club they support, writes Stephen McCartney.

By logging onto www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk you can bid for many items, which have been donated by some of the club's loyal fans.

Items available include a signed Tottenham Hotspur FA Cup Final football from 1991, a signed Duncan Edwards print, a signed T-shirt of Snooker stars including Ronnie O'Sullivan, a Toshiba laptop computer and a signed Middlesbrough football shirt with many other items to bid for.

Although they are still homeless, groundsharing at Nationwide Conference neighbours Gravesend & Northfleet, which is a huge financial burden for the club, they will be playing in their own stadium in Dartford next year.

And striker Tostao Kwashi, who turned down a lucrative move to Nationwide Conference South neighbours Welling United on the eve of their 1-1 draw at Erith & Belvedere, praised them for their tremendous support.

Dartford have an average support of 245, which is a divisional best and their highest gathering of the season - 329 - was for the visit of Wingate & Finchley in December.

When they visited Park View Road on Saturday, they attracted Erith & Belvedere's highest gate of the season when 321 flocked through the turnstiles.

Kwashi said: "The fans have just been fantastic from day one, even when we haven't been doing well.

"They've kept on coming in, paying their money after a hard week from Monday to Friday, nine to five, going to work.

"They want to come on Saturday and get entertained by us and basically we have to try and give them back something - for all what they do for us.

"Without them we wouldn't be here so we have to give them so much respect because they are the best in the business."

So far the auction has raised over £160 for the club.