Tom Gardiner leaves Dartford to sign for someone closer to his Harpenden home

DARTFORD manager Tony Burman has explained why central defender Tom Gardiner has been allowed to leave the club.

“Due to his work commitments and travelling, Tom only signed a six-month contract in the summer and both parties agreed to review this in December,” Burman told www.dartfordfc.com.

“The club were looking to extend this contract, however, Tom has made the decision to leave the club and hopefully sign for someone closer to home.

“I am disappointed with Tom’s decision as he had been offered new terms.  We have spent the last year and a half improving Tom as a player but I have to understand that he has been finding it difficult with his work commitments and travelling from his home in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. 

“It looks like he will be joining a new club nearer to home, which for him will make things easier.”

Gardiner has since signed for league rivals St Albans City, which is less than six miles from his home-town, on an 18-month contract.

Dartford, who beat Ebbsfleet United 2-1 at Princes Park on Boxing Day before losing the away game 1-0 on New Years’ Day, are sitting in seventh-place in the Vanarama National League South table with 41 points from 22 games and are just one point adrift of fifth-placed Poole Town.

Ninth-placed East Thurrock United – who won the Ryman Premier League play-offs last season with home wins over Tonbridge Angels and Dulwich Hamlet – visit Princes Park on Saturday (15:00).

Visit Dartford’s website: www.dartfordfc.com