CHAMPIONS: Thanks for the support, says "proud" Darts chairman - EXCLUSIVE

DAVID SKINNER was “determined” to watch his beloved Dartford clinch the Ryman League Division One North title at Edgware Town yesterday, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Darts co-chairman attended his first game since suffering a heart-attack after the Darts 2-1 home win over Ware on 22^nd March.

But nothing was going to stop him travelling to the White Lion Ground in north London and join in with the title winning celebrations, despite the Darts 2-1 defeat.

Speaking EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk today, Mr Skinner said: “Very enjoyable all round. A little bit of gloss taken off it losing to a last minute goal but we soon got stuck into it and started celebrated.

“There were a few tears and a few beers, let’s put it that way!

“I was determined not to miss that one, a great day of history for the club. Nothing would have made me miss that one, even if I had to go in an ambulance,” said Mr Skinner, who was aided by a pair of crutches yesterday.

This was the first time that any Dartford side (first team) had clinched a league title for 24 years, and Mr Skinner is a “proud” man this weekend.

“This is the culmination of what we’ve strived for, keeping the club going and finally getting our own ground,” he said.

“This is the end of the beginning and now we can start the beginning of the end.”

Manager Tony Burman and the board will need to sit down to start planning budgets for the club’s Ryman Premier League campaign in August.

Dartford can look forward to many mouth-watering and lucrative Kent derbies, although the number will be confirmed next Saturday as Ramsgate, Tonbridge Angels, Maidstone United and Folkestone Invicta still don’t know which division they’ll be playing in next term.

“It would be nice to think the fans don’t just turn up because we’re winning each week,” said Mr Skinner.

“If we don’t win in the Premier the crowds may drop a bit but with the prospect of Kent derbies and more away support, I’m confident that the crowds will remain at the same level.

“Tony hasn’t told us what we’re looking for. We had a chat two months ago and he gave an indication on the average wage for the Premier division at the moment.”

Dartford, however, have every sympathy for Edgware Town - playing their last ever match at the White Lion Ground - as it took the Kent club fourteen years to return home.

“We can appreciate what they were going through yesterday,” said Mr Skinner.

And he tells them to “basically keep going and keep fighting.

“Whether they’ve got the fan base to keep going like us is questionably but we wish them all the best.”

Mr Skinner took all the plaudits for the club’s title winning campaign - but he insists everyone should share the glory.

“A lot of people say it’s for us - but I say it’s for everybody, no matter their contribution,” he said.

“They’ve contributed in the way they could and yesterday was for them.

“Obviously people like myself get mentioned as figureheads within the club. It’s nice for us but you have to remember the other people who don’t get a mention who work as hard for what we all got yesterday.”

An all-ticket crowd of over 2,000 is expected for the club’s last game in Ryman One North when Wingate & Finchley visit.

“What we’re hoping (is that) we get a start as we did against Tilbury,” said the chairman.

“The players will be relaxed, get an early goal and perform and enjoy the party.”

Chairman Dave, meanwhile, would like to put on record his gratitude towards all those people that sent their best wishes following his heart attack four weeks ago.

“I’d like to offer my personal thanks to all the good wishes I received in my recent illness,” he said. 
“I've had hundreds of cards and emails from all sorts of clubs.

“I’m still taking it easy at the moment. I’m due to go on my holiday this week so when I’m back (from Turkey), I’ll pick up the reigns again.”

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