Burman shows star-striker Cass the door

Friday 08th May 2009

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman has today dropped a bombshell by not renewing the contract of star-striker Brendon Cass, writes Stephen McCartney.

Cass, who turns 26 in July, banged in 81 goals for the Darts during three-and-a-half-years, making 134 appearances (24 as substitute) in the process.

But Burman has decided not to renew Cass’s contract, or that of midfielder Steve Butterworth, as he bids to bring in three or four quality players over the summer to mount a serious promotion bid next season.

Cass, formerly of Tonbridge Angels and Chatham Town, went down in folklore with the Darts faithful, when he became the first ever player to score at Princes Park Stadium.

A capacity crowd of 4,097 watched the club’s home-coming after their fourteen year exile in November 2006 and Cass lifted the roof when he scored after just 10 minutes 27 seconds of their emotional 4-2 win over Horsham YMCA.

Although departing the club, Cass will never be forgotten as his name has been etched into the windows of the club bar at Princes Park Stadium.

Midfielder Butterworth, 21, was the first player to be released by Burman this week, having scored 4 goals in 21 appearances for the Kent club.

Burman, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk tonight, admits showing Cass the door was a tough decision to make.

But he was quick to thank the prolific hit-man for his efforts whilst at the north Kent club.

“It was a difficult decision to make, but we felt it was time to part company,” explained Burman.

“When you’re a number one striker for three-and-a-half years, things didn’t work out as well as we would have hoped this season. That wasn’t entirely Brendon’s fault, it was some bits and pieces with the way we were trying to play and it didn’t suit him.”

Burman added, “He’s just a fantastic lad and I’m really sorry that we’ve got to lose him, but these are the sort of decisions that managers have to make and they’re not very pleasant. It was a tough decision.”

Burman paid tribute to the striker for his contribution, and admits that his first ever goal at Princes Park will always be remembered.

“He’s down in history with everybody at the club,” he said. “I don’t think there’s one person who doesn’t like Brendon and appreciates what he’s done.

“He’s goal ratio for us has been fantastic and he’s one off the main reasons that we got promoted (as Ryman League Division One North champions in April 2008).

“We’ve got to appreciate everything that he’s done for us, but as I say, these things happen and we have to move on and the sentiment in the end doesn’t sometimes come into it.”

The Darts boss will be using the available money to add to his squad, and he hasn’t ruled out the prospect of giving home-grown talent a chance next season.

“We’re looking to bring three or four players in,” said Burman.

“We have to let people go to bring some people in sometimes and that’s one of the reasons as well.

“We may be looking for players with experience but it’s quality we’re looking to bring in. We’ve near enough signed the majority of last season’s squad.

“A few younger players, who have been in the academy and under 21’s, will come in and train with us in pre-season and we’ll have a close look at them.”

Burman appeared to have lost patience with Butterworth, who was shipped out on loan to Newport County towards the end of the campaign, before returning.

“He was at the end of his contract and again things didn’t quite happen the way that I felt they should have done.

“You have to make a decision, where a few years ago I may have done things with him, but we need players that have been there and done it.”

Andrew Young, Jamie Day, Adam Gross, Jay May, Rob Haworth, Danny Dafter and James White have all agreed new terms for next season.

They join Adam Flanagan, Jamie Coyle, Lee Noble (who is attracting interest from Hartlepool United) and Ryan Hayes, whose present contracts don’t’ expire until the end of next season.

Visit Dartford’s websites: www.dartfordfc.co.uk and the award winning www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk