2ndjune04

Dartford capture McClements on one-year contract

DARTFORD manager Tommy Sampson is delighted to announce the signing of twenty-one-year-old attacking midfielder Eddie McClements from landlords Gravesend & Northfleet, writes Stephen McCartney.

The highly-rated student, who is currently studying for a degree, lives locally in Hextable, and he put pen to paper on a one-year-contract tonight.

He joins the entire playing squad that finished the last campaign, as the club, who groundshare Gravesend & Northfleet’s Stonebridge Road ground, before moving back home to Dartford in two-years time, prepare for life in the newly formed Southern League Division One East, which gets underway in August.

In fact, it was the prospect of Dartford playing in their new stadium that persuaded the former Fulham player to decline eight clubs – some at a higher level –  to turn out for Sampson again, having spent time on loan with the Darts at the tail end of last season.

A delighted Sampson feels the attacking midfield player can bring “a wealth of experience for his age” to his very young and in-experienced squad.

The Dart’s boss revealed: “Eddie McClements spent a month with Dartford in March and finished last season at Fisher Athletic.

”I have spoken to Eddie on numerous occasions.  Obviously you have to persuade people that your club is right for them.

“I’ve painted the picture to him about the new ground and the club going back to Dartford.

“I think having played for us, and knowing me and the players we’ve got, Eddie sees this as a good move.”

Sampson added:  “I am delighted he has signed for us.  He is an exceptionally good player, and will play as an attacking midfielder.”

Sampson also revealed that his new reserve team manager, Steve Sales, who has been promoted from youth team manager, will work in tandem with Bob Pittaway.

Pittaway, a superb player when he turned out for the Darts, Chelmsford City and Tooting & Mitcham United, amongst others, has spent the past three years at Tonbridge Angels, where his duties involved running both the youth and the Suburban League based second string.

Sampson admitted this is a good appointment for the club, and rekindles a long-lasting friendship that began when both men were apprentices at the Den.

Sampson said: “Not only Bob is an old friend of mine, we were apprentices at Millwall together, and we both played for Dartford.

”Bob is an excellent chap to have in the club, and I know he has ambitions of first team management at some point.

“He and Steve Sales should provide an excellent basis for what will be a young reserve side next season.”

Send in your club's news to Stephen McCartney
Email: stephen@mccartney2000.fsnet.co.uk
Telephone: 07979 418 360