Fans praise Council for building "breathtaking" new Stadium - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

“The grounds we visit at the level we play have perhaps a goal end covered terrace or maybe a third of a touchline.

”But Princes Park has six steps of terracing all the way round. The audience, including several club directors, manager Tony Burman, a couple of journalists, Cllr Jeremy Kite and of course the four fans, were treated to explanations about the intricacies of the project by the site manager from Jackson Construction.

”With Hi-Vis vest and Wellingtons donned, we were taken around the terracing and explained how the roof was being assembled.

”The Finnish laminated timber beams were being covered with plywood that would then be covered in a rubber membrane on which a self-seeding grass will be planted to produce the self-maintaining green roof.

”The pitch will be irrigated by an on-site lake and the soil is ready and waiting for the state-of-the-art grass/polymer turf. This turf will be highly resistant to the extent that it could withstand Rugby League matches during the summer and Football all winter.

”The clubhouse is also shaping up with block work walls defining the shop, changing rooms and corridors on the 'cellar' floor.

”On the first floor a vast open space exists which is soon to be block walled to separate the kitchen area, function hall and bar.

”We were told how many of the walls would in fact be windows allowing light and warmth to stream in from outside.

”The function room will effectively have one wall made of glass looking out onto the pitch. Finally we were shown the synthetic pitch, which was due to be laid on the same day. This area, enclosed by a very tall fence is also massive.

”Tony Burman explained how the pitch could be split to accommodate four small sided games. He sees many Dartford teams playing there on a Sunday and their parents using the facilities in the stadium.

”Tony sees many people getting involved with the club due to their connection with the younger teams at Dartford.

“He sees this as the key to building a supporter base for the future. This community pitch will be available for hire to other local groups, schools and teams, increasing their exposure to the club.

”It seems strange to call a non-league football ground a stadium but make no mistake this is definitely a stadium. It is not only that it is a masterpiece that every Dartfordian will be proud of. It will not be 'I live in Dartford, you know where the toll bridge is' it will be 'I live in Dartford, where Princes Park is'.

“I am immensely proud that Dartford Council has invested in this town's future and prestige by giving us a facility we can all be so proud of.

“We will be the envy of every team that visits us and of every town council across the land. This is a unique project and the persistence and determination of very few people have kept Dartford Football Club alive in order that we will live to see the day that the team walk out into a stadium that will be the envy of the non-league community.

”My heartfelt thanks go to those individuals on the board and fellow supporters that have dug deep over the years to make this happen. A real fairy story.”