9thjune05

Darts upset with FA snub

DAVE SKINNER, the co-chairman of Southern League Division One East side Dartford, is upset that the Football Association snubbed the club's proposal of placing them in the Ryman League with their Kent rivals, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Darts, Sittingbourne and Chatham Town have to endure journey's into Essex, North and West of London again next season and therefore miss out on lucrative Kent derbies with Ashford Town, Cray Wanderers, Dover Athletic, Ramsgate and Tonbridge Angels in the Ryman first division.

He told BBC Radio Kent: "We're always happy to be in the Southern League but it's not ideal with all the other Kent clubs being in the Ryman League.

"I've been in the game long enough to know you could make all the protests you like but if the committees up in FA headquarters sit down and work all these things out, you've got to trust that they've got the game as a whole at heart and therefore it may not be the most convenient for your club."

Skinner, who announced the club were to appoint caretaker manager Tony Burman as their manager late on Tuesday night, with record appearance holder (653) Steve Robinson appointed to work alongside him and Paul Sawyer, added:   "We wish all the management team success in the coming season and look forward with anticipation to the opening of the Princes Park stadium in the following season."