Dartford boss Tony Burman signs Adam Birchall on loan from Gillingham

DARTFORD manager Tony Burman has pulled off a transfer coup by bringing in striker Adam Birchall on an initial one month’s loan from League Two leaders Gillingham.

Dartford are presently in seventh-place in the Blue Square Bet (Conference) Premier table following their 2-2 draw away to Welsh giants Wrexham at the weekend.

But Birchall has been allowed to go out on loan at Princes Park, after Gillingham recently brought in American striker, Robert Findley, 27, from Nottingham Forest.

Maidstone born Birchall, 27, arrived at Priestfield Stadium for an undisclosed fee from Dover Athletic on a three-year deal in July 2011.

However, an unfortunate, but serious, cruciate knee injury suffered during a pre-season friendly that summer ruled him out of the entire campaign last season.

Birchall started his career as a youngster at Premier League giants Arsenal and won international honours when capped by Wales at Under-21 level.

Although he failed to make the first-team with the Gunners, his Football League debut came while out on loan at Wycombe Wanderers, where he scored four times in 12 games.

After spells at Mansfield Town and Barnet Birchall was signed by then Dover Athletic boss Andy Hessenthaler, now director of football at Gillingham, and became an instant success at Crabble, scoring a staggering 63 goals in 93 appearances.

In a statement, published on Dartford’s website www.dartfordfconline.com, Burman said: “This is a very exciting signing for the club and should prove a very beneficial arrangement for both clubs and would like to take this opportunity of thanking Gillingham FC for their support.”

A Gillingham statement, which was published on www.gillinghamfootballclub.com said: “This morning we have agreed with Dartford for Adam Birchall to go on loan for one month.

“Adam has done tremendously well and really does need to play matches and with Robbie Findley arriving at the end of last week, this is the ideal time.

“Andy Hessenthaler got it fixed up for us this morning to go to Dartford, who are doing well in their league, so it is a good team for Adam to go and join.

“In no way, shape or form is this the end of Adam Birchall. After a long rehab and extensive training he needs games to play in before he comes back to join us and without a shadow of a doubt he will be in our team and winning us games.”

Near namesake, winger Adam Burchell, 21, who also started out at Gillingham, has also played for Dartford, but now turns out for Kent League side Erith & Belvedere.