Dartford begin their climb up the football ladder

HUNDREDS of Dartford supporters have woken up this morning nursing hangovers, writes Stephen McCartney.

PARTY TIME:  Dartford manager Tony Burman sprays the champagne over hundreds of jubilient fans as the club celebrated the Ryman League Division One North title at Edgware Town yesterday.
Photograph courtesy of www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk

Despite losing 2-1 at Edgware Town yesterday, Dartford celebrated winning the Ryman League Division One North title - and are back at the level that the Kent club should at least be playing - the Ryman Premier League.

Not even a Denis Maharjan injury time winner could dampen the party spirit from at least 500 travelling Darts fans that were at full voice before, during and after the game, taking over the Edgware clubhouse before partying the night away at Princes Park or pubs when they got back home.

The last time that Dartford celebrated a title success was 24 years ago when Tony Burman, the man that has brought the good times back to the club, scored the winning goal at Sutton Coldfield Town to seal the Southern Premier League crown.

Burman was, however, disappointed that his side had lost their seventh league game of this champagne season, but he put that disappointment behind him and joined in with the celebrations as hundreds of jubilant and proud Dartford fans poured onto the pitch.

Champagne was sprayed and drunk; fans grabbed the yellow shirts off the players backs; a whole range of celebratory songs were sung and Burman shouted out his praise for the support that his team receive.

And it’s that loyal support that has kept Dartford alive during their fourteen years in exile.

Yesterday was for all those fans and long-serving club officials that have worked tirelessly to keep the club afloat and when crowds of over 300 were considered large and playing at the stunning £6.5m Princes Park Stadium was just a distant dream.

A crowd of over 2,000 is expected at Princes Park next Saturday for the trophy award ceremony for the visit of Wingate & Finchley.

These are the kind of crowds that the Kent club can now look forward on a regular basis as they begin their march up towards the pinnacle of non-league football.

It’s surely going to be an exciting Kent Premier League (oops sorry, Ryman Premier League) next season!

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