Darts will not spend over the oods, insists Burman

Wednesday 22nd April 2009

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman says he’ll be taking his side to relegation threatened Boreham Wood on Saturday with one thing on his mind - to end their campaign on a high note, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Darts have netted 12 goals during their last three games and travel to play a Boreham Wood side that are just one place above the drop zone and have the worst home record in the division.

Margate, meanwhile, must win at runners-up Staines Town and hope that their Kent rivals win in Hertfordshire to maintain their Ryman Premier League status.

But Burman, speaking to www.kentishfootball.co.uk last night, says he’s going to Meadow Park not looking to do Terry Yorath’s side any favours.

“We’re going there to do ourselves a favour,” he said. “The last few games we’ve said we want to finish as high as we can, regards to whatever happens and we’re going to go to Boreham Wood to try to win the game.

“We’re not doing anyone favours, we’re just going to go there and win the game.”

Representatives from Boreham Wood were at Princes Park last night to see Dartford beat midtable side Ashford Town (Middlesex) 4-2 in an entertaining penultimate game.

“Boreham Wood know they’ve got to win so there’s something on the game, that’s for sure,” said Burman.

“I’m glad we’re not in that sort of position this season. We’re going to go there and worry about ourselves and we’re going to enjoy the day out.”

The Darts go into their final game sitting in seventh place in the table - four points adrift of fifth-placed Carshalton Athletic - and expectations will be high for a serious promotion bid next term.

“There’s a lot of players and it’s their first time in this league and they’ll learn from it for next year,” said Burman.

“Couples with a little bit of experience and what we’ll try and do in the summer, obviously players will go and players will come in, but it’s not going to be drastic changes and we’ve got to try and improve it again.”

But Burman insists he is not going to sign players on mercenary wages.

“I’m not going to spend a load of money,” he said. “We’ve got a very, very good budget here and we offer players a reasonable amount off money to come play football at probably the best stadium at this level - if not above.

“When players turn around to me and they want three figures more than what I’m offering then I’m not going to go there.

“The starting point is very, very reasonable and players (who want more money) will just haver to go to other clubs to get it.”

Speaking about expectations, Burman replied, “Expectations are always high, they will be higher next year because of how we’ve done this year.

“People will put the pressure on us, but it’s a long season and there’s times in the season where you must not have a good spell and that’s when we need the support, good support behind us.”

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

Boreham Wood v Dartford

Ryman Premier League

Saturday 25th April 2009

Kick Off 3:00pm

At Meadow Park, Broughinge Road, Boreham Wood, Hertfordshire WD6 5AL