Dartford is a great club and I have loved being back but we always said we would put the club first and the results haven’t been to the required level, says Adam Flanagan

DARTFORD begin the search for a new management team after joint-managers Jamie Coyle and Adam Flanagan resigned tonight.

 

The Darts went down to a 3-2 defeat at Tonbridge Angels tonight, a result that leaves them in the bottom three in the Vanarama National League South table with seven points from their opening nine games.

“We can confirm that Jamie Coyle and Adam Flanagan have left the club by mutual consent,” said a club statement.

“We wish them all the best for the future and thank them for their efforts over the last 14 months.

“Further information will be announced in due course.”

Explaining his departure from Princes Park, former Concord Rangers boss Flanagan said on Twitter: “Jamie and myself resigned after the game tonight.

“We notified the players’ and then Steve Irving, Dave Skinner and Tony Burman.

“Dartford is a great club and I have loved being back but we always said we would put the club first and the results haven’t been to the required level.

“We have disappointed fans and that’s the last thing we wanted to do. 

“I wish the greatest of success to the club going forward and I will be back over to watch and encourage at some point in the future.”

Ryan Hayes, who is Dartford’s longest serving player, added on Twitter: “Football can take you to a dark, dark place.  Us as players’ have to take responsibility for tonight and apologise to everyone connected with Dartford FC.”

The Darts have collected just one win in nine league games this season - and two in their last 17 including the end of last season  - and are currently a couple of points clear of bottom side Hungerford Town.

Coyle and Flanagan were in charge for 56 games after replacing Burman last summer.  The Darts won 20, drew 20 and lost 20 in all competitions during their tenure at Princes Park.  The club finished in tenth-place last season.

Dartford welcome ninth-placed Dorking Wanderers to Princes Park on Saturday.

Visit Dartford’s website:  www.dartfordfc.com