Princes Park wins prestigious award

Princes Park, the best venue to watch non-league football in Kent, has fought off two rival clubs to clinch the prestigious Non-League Ground of the Year Award from Groundtastic magazine, writes Stephen McCartney.
Dartford’s move into the £6.5m Stadium, a fifteen minute walk from the train station, has been hailed a success.
 
All eight first team matches at the stunning stadium has attracted crowds off over 1,000 on each occasion and earlier this week winger Dave Martin, 21, signed for Championship club Crystal Palace.
 
Cllr Jeremy Kite, leader of Dartford Borough Council, was the man that brought the Darts back home following their 14-year exile from the town.
 
“As you might have read, the guys from Groundtastic – the national football grounds magazine had shortlisted Princes Park along with Barrows Farm (Harlow Town) and the New Lawn (Forest Green Rovers) for their prestigious Non-League Ground of the Year Award,” he told www.
 
“They came to inspect the ground last November, a few days before it opened (on 11th November) and I think it made an impression, because having visited Princes Park in an official capacity, I met one of them again on opening who had come along to watch a match at Princes Park just for recreation.
 
“We learned last week that Princes Park had won the award and a presentation will be made later this week to club directors and the architect, Roger Sedgley.  The Stadium will feature heavily in the next edition of the magazine.”
 
Cllr Kite added: “It’s really nice to be recognised for the quality of the Stadium, particularly by people who have visited more than most.

"First award for the Darts' trophy cabinet. Nice!"

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