Kentish Football

Dartford boss Tony Burman relishing opening game against bookies favourites

Wednesday 11th August 2010
DARTFORD boss Tony Burman says he is relishing his Blue Square Bet South debut against title favourites Havant & Waterlooville, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Darts walked away with the Ryman Premier League title last season -but face a tough opener at Princes Park on Saturday.

“We know it’s going to be a tough League,” Burman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.  “We’ve got some big clubs in the League with some good, good teams, with players who have recently come out of the Football League.

“We know it’s going to be tough but that’s what we want.  We’re back in the level where lots of people, including myself, feel where we belong and we have to prove that we can play there.”

Burman is gearing his team up for six games inside the opening two weeks of the new season, but he insists his side are ready.

“If you look at the six games in the two weeks that we’ve got, Havant are one of the bookies favourites, then we play another three of the bookies favourites,” said an excited Burman.

“We’re just want to work hard and I want to let the players do the things we tell them to do.  We’ve brought in some good players this year from Conference South level and hopefully we’ll be ok.”

Dartford are fifth favourites to land the title, according to title sponsors Blue Square.

“I want us to be competing at the right end of the table come the end of the season.  I want us to do as well as we can,” added Burman.

After a rigorous pre-season, Burman insists his men are now fit and raring to go.

“Pre-season is mainly to get the fitness.  It starts on Saturday and the first ten games to any new season are crucial as it tells you a lot about the people you have signed and the people you have kept on,” said Burman.

“You have a look at it once you’ve played the ten games that you’ve made the right decision.

“I’m sure we have because we have got some good players in.

“Listen, you can have lots and lots off quality, but you have to work hard and if you d don’t get people working hard you won’t survive.  

“We’ve got to get that mentality over to the players to work hard and I know their quality will come through.”

With the likes of Bromley, Dover Athletic, Ebbsfleet United and Welling United also in the division, Blue Square Bet South is going to be an exciting division to follow this term.

When asked the fixture(s) that he is looking forward to, Burman replied, “You’ve got to say all the local derbies are the ones that will have big crowds, and are something to look forward to.

“I’m looking forward to Saturday, which is a big step in the right direction for Dartford.

“We’ve got to a level where we think we belong and it’s been a long journey and it will be emotional on Saturday, but we’ve got to concentrate against one of the favourites as they are a good side, Havant, but we have to give it a go.

“We’ve got some decent players now in our squad with some with experience in the Conference level, so they will know what to expect.”

Tom Champion (3 games) and Elliot Bradbrook (one) are both suspended.


Dartford  v  Havant & Waterlooville
Blue Square Bet South
Saturday 14th August 2010
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Princes Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT








 

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