Dartford stars ditch their football boots to play cricket

Dartford, who only have a handful of tickets left for their showpiece pre-season friendly against Crystal Palace at Princes Park on Friday, 20^th July (7pm), have challenged the town’s cricket club for a game of cricket, writes Stephen McCartney.

Footballers from the Ryman League Division One North club will ditch their football boots for their cricketing whites for a 20/20 challenge match at Dartford Cricket Club on Friday, 13^th July, starting at 5:45pm.

And Paul Sawyer, whose assistant to football manager Tony Burman, is looking forward to the inaugural event.

“I approached Dartford Cricket Club to see if they would be up for a 20/20 challenge match, which if successful, would become a yearly event,” he told www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk.

"My friend has spoken to the powers that be and they are very keen on the idea and are stressing that they want to make a good evening of it, with supporters very welcome. I have no doubt that the bar will be open and all are welcome.”

It will be the first chance for supporters to see the club’s two new summer signings, defenders Jamie Coyle and Adam Flanagan, signed from Dulwich Hamlet and Folkestone Invicta respectively.

Then on Monday, 16^th July, the pair will be trying to deny Tottenham Hotspur scoring past goalkeeper Tony Kessell in the club’s opening pre-season friendly match at Princes Park.

Dartford officials have stressed that Spurs will be sending their reserve and youth team players and fans can pay at the turnstiles - £5 (adults) and £1 (concessions).

Then star winger Dave Martin will make an emotional return to Princes Park with his Crystal Palace team-mates.

The match on Friday, 20^th July, is expected to sell out later today, as there are only a handful of tickets left for the all-ticket clash.

Dartford’s footballing stars, Ryan Hayes, Jay May, Brendon Cass, Tony Kessell, Steve Norman, Tommy Osborne, Sawyer, John Guest will also show off their cricketing talents - with midfield play-maker Eddie McClements showing off his wicket keeping skills.

“I know the lads would appreciate the Dartford FC Barmy Army being present,” added Sawyer.

Meanwhile, the Keeper Wars event that was held on the community pitch at Princes Park last Sunday has raised over £500 for the NSPCC.

Dartford fan Steve Hooskins, who took part in the event, added: “Many thanks for the donations, we must have raised over £500 - aren’t Dartford fans brilliant?

“I’ve got permission to put collection boxes on the bars now, so the fund raising can go on.”

To grab the last remaining tickets for the Crystal Palace game telephone the club TODAY on 01322 299 990.

If no-one is available immediately, please leave a message and the club will phone you back to take any credit card orders.

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