We're stepping into the unknown, says Dartford coach John Macrae

DARTFORD coach John Macrae says he is feeling excited about the prospect of the club playing in the Blue Square Bet (Conference) Premier next season.


The Darts finished as runners-up to Woking and clinched promotion back into the top flight of non-league football for the first time for 26 years following play-off wins over Basingstoke Town (both legs) and Welling United.

The club can now look forward to two clashes against their traditional rivals Ebbsfleet United next season as well as numerous former Football League clubs who have dropped into the division.

Goalkeeper coach Macrae, 60, has seen it all, having joined the club back in 2005.  The Darts were in the Southern League Eastern Division when Macrae first joined the club, when the club was struggling on and off the pitch whilst they were a tenant at Stonebridge Road.

Macrae has played a key role in the club’s rise through the Ryman League Division One South, before the club were controversially switched to Ryman League Division One North, which was won at the first attempt.  They spent a couple of seasons in the Ryman Premier League and a couple in Blue Square Bet (Conference) South, before reaching the pinnacle of the non-league game.

Macrae recalled: “I mean to say, we’ve really carried on from what we were doing after Christmas 2010 really, because before Christmas I think when we played Welling away we were in the bottom three over Christmas.  We had a very poor result at Welling and then all off a sudden we beat Farnborough 4-1, who were in the play-off positions and then we didn’t look back.

“We finished a respectable eleventh and really we’ve basically carried on our form all the way through this season.”

Highly-respected boss Tony Burman improved his squad after learning about the qualities needed in that division – as he has done since taking charge of the club and has been rewarded with his hard work for his beloved club with three promotions in six years.

Macrae added: “The team bonded. We had a few new additions and we really went forward.  The team ethic was brilliant, I have to admit that and Tony has put together a great team, he really has, which proved by us getting promotion the hard way, through the play-offs.”

Looking forward to next season, which starts when pre-season training gets underway on 3 July, Macrae said: “Really we’re stepping into the unknown as to regards to what it’s going to be like, but we stepped into the unknown in the Conference South and Ryman Premier so we’ll recruit wisely, as Tony invariably does.

“Where else would you want to be, at the pinnacle of non-league football and we’ve actually achieved it!

“What happens next we’re not too sure, but we’ll give it 100%. 

“We can guarantee we’ll give it our best shot - to do well for the club and the fans’.”

One major boost for Burman and Macrae was retaining influential skipper Elliot Bradbrook, who has a good career in the city.

“We’ve got the majority of the squad from last season who have got good skills and great team ethic and we’ll really work and fight for each other and add a few more players to that mix,” said Macrae.

“Hopefully we won’t be fighting relegation all season and we’ll make it a nice season to consolidate.  We’ll have some lovely trips to some lovely grounds. We have to embrace it and really enjoy it.”

Macrae is delighted that Burman handed winger Ryan Hayes, 26, a contract for next season after the wing wizard was plucked out of the Kent League in 2005, playing for neighbours Slade Green and has tormented left-backs in all the aforementioned leagues.

“I remember when I was at Erith Town and Beckenham playing against Slade Green against Dave Martin and Ryan Hayes and it’s a wonderful fairytale that Ryan has travelled with the club on the great journey that we had and I’m so pleased he’s being retained for next season.”

Macrae was highlighting the sixth Keeper Wars, which takes place on the 3G community pitch at the club’s Princes Park Stadium on Sunday 24 June.

“This time the format is a little bit different,” he explained.  “We’re having a junior section as well, which we’re hoping to attract over 100 boys from eight to sixteen as well as the seniors.

“We’re looking for 40 goalkeepers.  There will be a cash prize for the seniors and it should be really good.

“We’ve got Selsport Ltd as our sponsors for the day, which will be another step forward and they’re going to bring some of their people to do an exhibition and sign autographs for the youngsters.

“It should be a good day out.  As always it’s about the weather. We’ve had one good day out of the five we’ve done.  Fingers crossed for good weather!

“Last year it was won by the goalkeepers from Brentwood, so the way it’s worked out so far Essex have won it three times and Kent have won it twice, so let’s hope we can level it up this year!”

The session provides a good work-out for goalkeepers ahead of their return to pre-season training.

Macrae added: “Basically we’ve done it late this year.  They’ll have a pre pre-season session, an intense session and they’ll all go into training back the week after so they’ll all be a lot sharper.

“Also with the goalkeeper union we’ll all find out who’s playing for who and it’s a good get together and also it fosters good will when they meet each other in games.

“Over the years’ I’ve made some great contacts and some good friends out of out. It’s always nice to meet in the bar afterwards and chat.  You have a point of contact.”

To take part you can contact John Macrae by calling 07729 170 687.

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