Burman vows to end Dartford's wilderness years - EXCLUSIVE

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman was amazed when he was told that today’s Ryman League Division One North showdown against Ware attracted a crowd of 1,579 to Princes Park, writes Stephen McCartney.

Two goals inside the opening 24 minutes from winger Ryan Hayes - taking his tally to eleven for the season - sent the Kent giants on their way to a hard-fought 2-1 win over third placed Ware.

Dartford stretched their unbeaten run to twenty games and moved six points clear of AFC Sudbury.

The Suffolk club’s home game against Enfield Town was called off due to a waterlogged pitch at Kingsmarsh Stadium and Darts took full advantage.

Despite blustery and bitterly cold conditions, once again the Dartford - and Kent - public turned out in force - it was the club’s largest crowd of the season - and this left Burman a delighted man.

Burman wants his side to clinch the title - and promotion into the Ryman Premier League - as their campaign enters it’s final six games.

“I didn’t know that crowd, and you’ve just told me that and I’m absolutely delighted,” Burman said EXCLUSIVELY to www.kentishfootball.co.uk afterwards.

“For that to happen here, to get 1,579 people is absolutely fantastic at this level.

“I think they’ve had a good game. I think they’ve been entertained and so they’ll come back.

“We’re at the top at the moment (and) they’ll be backing us 100% (to win the league).

“I’m so pleased that we’re able to give them some sort of joy at this moment in time.

“We’ve had a long time in the wilderness not been able to compete at the top of the league’s and things like that and this year we’re doing it.

“Last year we done it to a certain extent but this year is our first full season at Princes Park and I just hope for so many people it comes to fruition.”

The Kentish football family sends it’s best wishes to Dartford’s co-chairman, Mr David Skinner, a speedy recovery after he suffered a heart attack at his beloved club following today’s win.

Mr Skinner - and members of the present board - were part of the club when it thought 300 was a large turnout when it was in exile and I’m sure this will motivate the players even more to win the title as he recovers in hospital.

Today’s win puts pressure on Suffolk side AFC Sudbury, who must have been wishing that Ware had come away from the Garden of England with the points.

But Burman said: “I don’t care about Sudbury! The pressure’s on us, we’ve got to go on and get three points on Monday and that’s what we’ve got to continue to do.

Taking his side to Canvey Island on Easter Monday (1pm), Burman is firstly hoping for better weather and to take advantage of his side completing their game before Sudbury start their game away to Bury Town.

The Darts inflicted a heavy 6-1 defeat on Canvey Island back on Boxing Day, but Burman, whose side have lead the table since 12^th January, is expecting a tough battle.

He said: “Since then they haven’t lost a game until they got beat by Sudbury and to be fair I’ve seen them recently and they’ve done alright.

“They’ll be looking to get back into the play-off positions so it’s going to be a massive game over there.”

But one thing is for certain, the Islanders are in for a lucrative pay-day for the visit of the Darts.

“When we go to places people do lift their games, there’s no two ways about it,” said Burman.

“They have a big crowd, we’ve got a great away following at the moment and players do raise their games when they play against us.

“But it’s up to us to stand up and be counted and we’re used to it now and we hope we can just go there and just do our job and get the three points.”

Promotion then? “That was our aim at the start of the season, to get promoted,” replied Burman.

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

Canvey Island v Dartford
Ryman League Division One North
Easter Monday, 24^th March 2008
Kick Off 1:00pm
At Park Lane, Canvey Island, Essex SS8 7PX