Going full-time can be done - but not at the expense of bringing the club down, says Tony Burman

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman says the club will not jeopardise their future by going full-time any time soon.



The Darts have returned to the top-flight of non-league football following an absence of 26 years, after finishing in second place in the Blue Square Bet South last season and beating Basingstoke Town and Welling United in the play-offs to seal promotion alongside Woking.

Burman, 54, has sealed three promotions in the last six years, and the Darts welcome Tamworth to Princes Park Stadium on Saturday in their first game back in the Conference Premier.

Burman said: “Obviously it’s the start of a new venture. We’re a Conference Premier side now and it’s taken a long while coming, but we’ve managed to get there and we’re really looking forward to it.”

The Darts stalwart is immensely proud of his run of success and said: “It’s just not myself, there’s been a lot of hard work all around the club. I’ve got a good team in Paul Sawyer and Steve Mosely who must take all of the credit and all the backroom staff for that.

“There’s been so much work that’s been done from people on and off the field.  It’s been a fantastic time and a fantastic achievement.”

Burman has brought in the likes of Mark Arber, 34 and Richard Rose, 29, to bolster his squad as they look to compete against numerous full-time outfits and some big names, including Luton Town and Wrexham.

Burman could only dream about speaking to the pair this time last season and the two new arrivals from League Two outfit Dagenham & Redbridge means the Kent club is now on another level than before.

He said: “They’re League players. They’ve come and asked to have a chat. I’ve spoken to them and they’ve been impressed with what they see.

“In Mark’s case he wanted to go to a team to be tested and have a bit of a challenge and that’s what we can hopefully give him.

“With Richard, he’s a player I spoke to in the summer and he can play anywhere along the back four and when you’re running with a small squad you need players who can do that.”

“He’s managed a deal with Dagenham and they’re two experienced players, which I felt is what we needed.”

The Darts welcome Staffordshire-based outfit Tamworth to Kent on Saturday and Burman cannot wait to get going.

“I know every game is going to be difficult. We know a little bit about Tamworth but we have to concentrate on what we do.  That’s why I’m delighted to have signed thirteen of last years’ squad.  I think they’re well worth the chance to play in a higher division. They’re all very good players.  They’re more than capable, but we’ve got to do what we do and hopefully that’s going to be good enough.”

Burman wants to make Princes Park Stadium a fortress this season.

“We’ve got to work on our organisation. We’re not going to be as fit as the teams who are full-time but we have got a fit squad, there’s no two ways about that.  We are a fit team and that usually tells when you get to Christmas time. We’re usual pretty good after that but this year we’re playing against full-time players who are training every day and it’s going to be tough.

“The home advantage hopefully should count but we have to be spot on and organised and above all stick together when things might not be going too well.”

Burman takes his side to Woking next Tuesday, a club that signed Jack Parkinson and Loick Pires from Welling United during the summer.

“We know about Woking, we had our battles last year,” said Burman, looking forward to their game at Kingfield Stadium.

“Woking have lost one or two players and they were really good players who they’ve lost, but they’ve brought in some good players as well.

“We know that’s going to be a tough game. We lost to Woking twice last year. We were very unfortunate when we went over and played them at their place.  Maybe we’ll have that little bit of good fortune when we go over there and things might go well for us.”

But there is always a surprise package in every division – why can’t it be Dartford?

“I think there will be a part-time club in the Conference Premier who all of a sudden will get organised and they will go on a run.

“Look at Braintree and you look at Ebbsfleet who went up last year.  They’ve both got experienced managers and they didn’t do well – they did brilliantly with a good tally of points.

“It can be done and those teams could push on to get into the play-offs.

“It’s going to happen one year. I think as the part-time clubs try and get stronger it just may happen that one of them gets into the play-offs.”

But Dartford will retain their part-time status – the club’s board who were with the club during the bad times will not put their beloved club at risk.

When asked whether the club will go full-time, Burman explained: “It can happen, but it mustn’t happen to put the club in financial trouble and that’s the be all and end all.

“All these things can be done but there’s no point doing them on a short-term basis. You’ve got to look long-term.

“It’s easy to say it can be done, but not at the expense of bringing the club down.”

Meanwhile, Dartford have confirmed that former Southend United striker, Harry Crawford, 20, has signed for the club following a successful pre-season trial.  He has been allocated the number 21 shirt.

Dartford have been drawn at home to Faversham Town in the First Round of the Kent Senior Cup (sponsored by portablefloodlights.com).  The winners will travel to Margate or Sittingbourne.  The Darts lost 1-0 to Ryman League Divsion One South side Hythe Town in last season's final.

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

Dartford  v Tamworth
Blue Square Bet Premier
Saturday 11^th August 2012
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT