CHAMPIONS: I've set my side more targets to reach, says Burman

Friday 16th April 2010

CHAMPIONSHIP winning Dartford manager Tony Burman will ensure his side will claim three points against in-form Aveley before the title celebrations begin, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Darts clinched the Ryman Premier League title in style last weekend with a thumping 6-2 win away to Kingstonian (who were in second place at the time) and what pleased Burman was that his side maintained their professional approach with wins away to Harrow Borough and Waltham Abbey in the week.

“I’m well pleased,” Burman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk ahead of the club’s trophy celebration.

“It would have been very easy to treat the games thinking everything’s is done and dusted, but I’m absolutely delighted with the attitude that the players have shown in both games to win the both games.

“Harrow and Waltham Abbey are difficult places to go and if you’re not up for it you can get beat very, very easily, but it wasn’t to be and we’ve been excellent in the two games to be fair.”

Surprise package Aveley - in fourth place in their first season at this level - will want to spoil the party to maintain their own play-off aspirations.

“All season they’ve sort of had two, three or four games when they’ve won and moved up the table and then they’ve had one or two losses and come down the table,” said Burman.

“They’re having a bit of good form and they’re doing it at the right time if they want to get to the play-off’s, that’s for sure, going into the last week of the season.

“They’re coming to us and they want to win and secure their place.”

But Burman insists his side have jobs to do - and to win their last remaining four games.

After Aveley’s visit to Princes Park tomorrow, Burman takes his side to Wealdstone (Tuesday), Hendon (Thursday) before hundreds of celebrating fans descend on seaside town Bognor Regis on the final day of the season (24 April).

“We want to go out on a high at home and we want to continue the good work that they’ve done,” said Burman.

“We’re setting targets for ourselves and our aim now is to get over 90 points if we can and get 100 goals if we can in the league and there’s little bits and pieces that we’ve got to do.

“These things sometimes do go wrong - we know that - but having said that the players will give it their best shot. I can see if being an absolutely fantastic day tomorrow.”

The Darts boss - who guided the club to the Ryman League Division One North title two years ago - admitted the pressure is now off his side.

“They’ve achieved their goal and their goal was to get promoted and win the championship,” he said.

“The pressure is off but there’s certain targets that we’d like to meet and that’s where professionalism comes in and the players are very professional on what they try to do.

“We want to go out on a high in our last home game that’s for sure and we will do our best to get all three points tomorrow.

Burman deserves to take the plaudits as he prepares the Princes Park outfit for Blue Square South football next season.

“We’ve now had two promotions since we‘ve been at Princes Park. We had a good squad in Ryman North and we’ve stepped up a level and we’ve gone in the premier and the squad’s been good enough to win the championship in the premier (two years later),” he added.

“We’ve worked hard and there’s been some good times in the history at the club. You’ve got to say the way the season has gone the squad that we’ve put together has just been absolutely fantastic.

“We’re not going to be preparing (for next season) until after the presentation night on 30 April.

“We’ll be preparing in the first week in May and starting to do things what we have to do regarding talking about next year.

“I want all the players, everybody whose been with us, who have helped us to enjoy it. I want to enjoy it. I don’t want to start thinking about next season just yet.”

Visit Dartford’s websites: www.dartfordfc.co.uk & www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk

Dartford v Aveley

Ryman Premier League

Saturday 17th April 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT