14thnov04

Sampson promises glory when Dartford return home

DARTFORD manager Tommy Sampson has praised the club's supporters for their magnificent support despite going down 2-1 to big-spending Southern League Division One East leaders Fisher Athletic at Stonebridge Road on Saturday, writes Stephen McCartney.

And the manager, who has the club very close to his heart, has insisted he will bring success to the club when they return home.

Speaking about Fisher, Sampson said: “They are the best side in the league by a million miles.  They were a master class on how to pass the ball.”

But the Darts manager was pleased with his side’s performance.

“In all fairness, we acquitted ourselves and were terrific. 

“Fisher won’t lose too many games but they might lose games if they are too complacent.

“We did ever so well in the first half, we worked hard as anyone could just to get the ball off them.

“They carved out two terrific goals, wonderful passing moves and at 2-0 at half-time we had a choice of throwing the towel in, which we never do, or being patient and scoring.

“Tostao Kwashi - who starts a three match ban next Saturday - scored a fantastic goal and the last twenty minutes was end to end, both sides could have scored and we missed a sitter in the very last seconds.

“Two of my players (Craig Dennis and Jim Carter) got in each other’s way, a little bit of communication we could have got the most unlikeliest point.

“On the face of it, we did every thing we could.

“I don’t believe Fisher won’t win this league by 15 points.”

But the emergence of Darren Pearson and Steve O’Keeffe has prompted Sampson to release former Woking, Banstead Athletic, Molesey, Bromley and Greenwich Borough full-back Kwabena Amaning.

Sampson said: “I let Kwabena go for two reasons.

“He didn’t really fulfill his promise and I’ve got Darren and Steve and Kwabena wasn’t turning in the performances we needed from him.

“Kwabena was holding them back, he is a lovely lad and I have no complaints with his attitude but it’s a bit financial as well to be honest, so Pearson (19) and O’Keeffe (18) will get their chances very soon.

“They are young lads that need to be pushed on.”

Dartford make the short trip to Chatham Town on Tuesday night and both sides will know plenty about each other, having already met twice this season.

Chatham manager Clive Walker has steered the Maidstone Road club into fourth place in the table and will provide the Darts a tough test.

“We’ve played them twice this year, we lost at home and won away in the League Cup.

“It’s going to be tough for us but there’s not a lot to choose between the two sides, but looking at the league positions, there is.

“They are obviously enjoying good fortunes, we aren’t playing badly, but we need to secure points quickly.

“The spirit and confidence is good but we haven’t picked up enough league points in the last six weeks”, Sampson said.

Sampson admitted his target has always been to collect 50 points each season, but Darts fans will hopefully enjoy success once they return back home.

Sampson said: “Our league position doesn’t do us justice.  Our position is down to four draws at home, in which we should have won three of them.

“We have just come off a tough week against Redbridge, Welling and Fisher – we have done great in all three games, albeit we’ve lost two of them, but my lads have left nothing on the pitch, they’ve tried.

“We need to defend a bit better, which we have done over the last week, and just take a slighter higher percentage of our chances.”

Dartford supporters have to take the rough with the smooth whilst they groundshare at Nationwide Conference side Gravesend & Northfleet and realise the club will be back to it’s best once it returns back home in 2006.

Sampson said: “We are surviving with youth, enthusiasm and little finance but with a massive heart.

“98% of my supporters understand that, and we’ve got to try to keep the other 2% of supporters to stay with us.

“Yesterday the support the players received was absolutely fantastic.

“The Dartford supporters are terrific.

“Although they might not see sense in the things I might have to do, If I wasn’t managing Dartford, I would be standing with them watching the team.

“I’ve been to other clubs and heard players being barracked but I never hear that at Dartford.

“The first night we go back to Dartford – against pre-season opposition - I don’t believe there won’t be between 1,500-2,000 people coming to watch us.”

And Sampson, who has tasted success with Herne Bay and Deal Town, cannot wait for the day the club can provide him with a very good budget so he can bring the glory days back to this proud club.

“I work on a Kent League budget, sides in the Kent League pay more than we do.

“Money only means you have a chance of winning something, lack of money means you have sensible expectations and that’s why we talk about 50 points and not 90.

“When we get back to Dartford, I am going to ask my board to finance the football side as a priority.

“Because whenever I’ve had money I have always won things

“I will be going to my board and tell them it’s enough of the hard times, put your money where your mouth is, not stupid money, but let’s go and win things.

“I get great support from my chairman, board of directors, reserve team manager, youth team people.  We work so hard but without the joy we deserve.

“I will keep this club in this division.  We will get 50 points with young lads and enthusiasm.

“People behind the scenes have been fantastic for this football club.”

Chatham Town v Dartford
Southern League Division One East
Tuesday 16th November 2004
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Maidstone Road, Chatham