Tickets selling out as fans flock to Princes Park for heroes return - EXCLUSIVE

The showpiece match, on Friday, 20^th July (7pm kick-off), sees the return of star winger Dave Martin, who left the Ryman League Division One South club for the Championship side last January.

The former Slade Green winger thrilled Darts fans following his switch from the Small Glen in the summer of 2005.

And his dazzling performances down the left-wing earnt him a well-deserved £25,000 transfer to Selhurst Park.

He made an emotional last appearance for the Darts on Saturday, 20th January, when he played his part in the best game played in Kent last season, as Darts beat Ashford Town 4-3 at Princes Park.

And the return of Martin - and Darts legend Peter Taylor - has seen the Dartford public come out in force.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk spoke EXCLUSIVELY to Mr Skinner at 1pm today. “I’m just serving somebody at the moment - give me two minutes, and I’ll call you back,” he said.

Five minutes later, however, Mr Skinner did call back, and said: “It’s eased off today but yesterday has been manic”

“We estimate around 1800-1900 (tickets have been sold) at the moment.”

TICKETS PLEASE:  Nealy 2,000 fans have already brought tickets for Dartford's pre-season friendly against Crystal Palace on Friday 20th July (7pm) - a match that sees the return of star winger Dave Martin - and Darts legend Peter Taylor

Photograph courtesy of www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk/forum

When asked how much money the showpiece match will generate, Mr Skinner added: “We’re going for the full 4,000 (capacity). We’re just talking about people numbers rather than financial - you’d have to ask Steve (Irving), but the credit card machine nearly blew up yesterday!”

But the Darts stalwart is delighted with the response by fans over this weekend - and the magic of Princes Park has also won over Steve Bennett.

Bennett, from Orpington, was the first person to referee the FA Cup Final at the newly built Wembley Stadium last month - and was so impressed by Dartford’s £6.5m Princes Park Stadium during his first visit, he's decided to return.

“We’re all looking forward to it,” admitted Mr Skinner. “It’s good to have it as part of the deal but as a club to stage a high profile friendly it will be good to attract more high-profile friendlies if we make a success of it.”

Non-League clubs have to contact professional clubs at least a year in advance to entice them to their grounds - often ending in failure.

And Mr Skinner is delighted to have a high-profile set of officials for the match.

He said: “Funnily enough Steve refereed one of the school cup finals up here. He’s confirmed that he will be doing the (Crystal Palace) game, and (arranged) the other three officials as well.

“He’s had a taste of what we’ve got down here and it gave him the final push to do the friendly game as he knew the facilities are great.”

Mr Skinner explained why the match is being played on a Friday night, but assured Darts fans that all their weekend matches will remain at the usual time on Saturday’s.

“It’s what Palace needed to arrange because they fly out to Sweden on tour on (the) Sunday but they wanted to play on a Friday so the players can see their families before flying off on tour - we have no plans to play on a Friday,” he said.

Backed by large crowds, Mr Skinner has challenged manager Tony Burman, whose currently holidaying in the Algarve, to deliver promotion.

He said: “The target this year is to be in the play-off’s, if not to win it outright. That’s our target and that’s what we’re going for.”

And Mr Skinner believes Palace fans will watch the Darts next season.

“We had a Crystal Palace fan come in today and brought 27 tickets,” he said. “We’ve had mixtures, Palace fans coming for the first time.

“I was talking to a Palace season ticket holder and funnily enough, he’s just moved into Dartford and he said when Palace are away, “I’m down here”. He didn’t know this was here.”

Meanwhille, Mr Skinner “rubbished” internet speculation that the Darts were on the verge of signing veteran striker Teddy Sherringham.

He said: “Jimmy Sherringham, his brother, played for us in the 80s - but he wasn’t up to the same standard as Teddy - it’s (the speculation) rubbish!”

HOW TO GRAB YOUR TICKETS BEFORE THEY ALL SELL OUT:

Tickets are on sale from the Club Shop at Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Avenue, Dartford from 9:30am-4:30pm on Saturday and Sunday, weekdays 9:30am-12:30pm or by calling 01322 29 99 90.

Tickets are priced at £10 (adults), £6 (concessions/juniors aged 14-16) and £2 (children).

The car park will be restricted to invitees and disabled only. The club advise fans to use Fastrack and other public transport systems. Dartford train station is a 15-20 minute walk from Princes Park Stadium.

Visit club websites:  www.dartfordfc.co.uk & www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk/forum