27thnov03

Darts have wealth of experience on bench
With last season's Player of the Year, central defender Terry Ratchford, sidelined due to an injury sustained in a cricket match, Tommy Sampson, manager of Dr Martens League Eastern Division club Dartford, searched for a short-term replacement for the young prospect.

Expecting Ratchford to return by late September, Sampson drafted in reserve team player-manager Steve Robinson, whose 40th birthday was in early September.

The injury to Ratchford has taken considerably longer to heal than was originally hoped and 'Robbo' has continued to retain his first-team spot.

Since re-emerging in 1993 Dartford have had three managers - all former players. Tony Burman, Gary Juliens and Tommy Sampson who all wore the Black & White with distinction during their playing days.

Currently there are four former Darts in the management/coaching team with almost 1500 first-team appearances between them. Manager Tommy Sampson played 225 competitive games at Watling Street whilst first team coach Paul Sawyer turned out for Dartford on 321 occasions. Reserve player-manager Steve Robinson has 675 Dartford starting appearances to his credit, and is still going strong. Paul Hennessey, now reserve team coach, played 242 times for the Darts.

With skipper Alan Tutton sidelined with a persistent groin injury Sampson has handed the captaincy to central defender Steve Marriner, who started his Dartford career in the reserves. Originally a right wing-back, Marriner was converted to central defence this season and has made the spot his own, so much so that he now skippers the side playing alongside club captain Steve Robinson.
source: www.nonleaguedaily.com