Past adversaries bury the hatchet

Dartford climbed up to fourth place in the Ryman League Division One South table following their 2-1 win over local rivals Maidstone United last night, writes Stephen McCartney.

Goals from Richard Avery and Eddie McClements gave the Darts a two-goal cushion, before Nick Barnes’ scored a controversial penalty to give the Stones hope.

Maidstone United chairman Mr Paul Bowden-Brown presented his Dartford counterpart Mr David Skinner a silver salver before the game, which attracted Dartford’s largest crowd of the season of the season.

But what was pleasing was both parties are trying their hardest to bury the past.

Bryan Reed, editor of “Show me the way to go home”, the Stones’ fanzine, wrote a piece in last night’s match day programme.

He said: “We cannot change the past and to dwell on it serves only to fuel the negative side of supporters.

“Dartford FC have rebuilt themselves, Maidstone United FC have also rebuilt themselves, but from the very basement of the football pyramid.

“Let’s just pray that we can all let bygones be bygones and enjoy today for what it is - a celebration of progression for two of the finest clubs in Kent.

“There is enough negative history between our two clubs; let’s ensure that today is the first step on the road to reconciliation.”

Dartford have only three games left to play through the tunnel at Thurrock’s Ship Lane ground before they move into Princes Park. And boss Tony Burman cannot wait.

The Darts welcome Horsham YMCA to their stunning, all-covered £6.5m stadium on 11^th November.

“I can’t tell you how much work is going on behind the scenes,” Burman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk  

“I don’t think some of the supporters realise the time and effort that a lot of people are putting in and my directors and the council have been having meetings leading up to where we are now.

“I was up Princes Park twice last week and I keep going up there and it just looks better every time I go up there.

“I just want everyone to be there and experience such a fantastic day.

“We just want to make it a 4,000 sell-out. There’s so much interest and fair play to the council they are starting to get their show on the road with regards to getting tickets organised.

“I just can’t wait. I’m like everyone else in Dartford. We want to come back to the town and have a great day.”

Stones’ joint-manager Lloyd Hume, meanwhile, demands more belief from his players, after they suffered their second defeat of the season.

“To be honest most of the football I’ve been involved with has been a little higher level than this so I know what’s expected of our team,” he said.

“I’m not sure some of our players do. I questioned in the dressing room if our players believed that they are as good as I think they are.

“I’m not going to name players but they’re players in our side that I think every club at this level would die to have.

“Yet they are not demonstrating how good they are out on the pitch and I think that’s self belief.

“We look like a team that’s bottom of the table and haven’t won but the reality is if we had won this game tonight we would have been third.”

Hume did, however, praise their “fantastic” supporters.

He said: “I criticised them before for not getting behind the team - I can’t do that tonight.

“They got behind the lads, they made a lot of noise and I’m just disappointed that we didn’t deliver a result they deserve.

“I wish they did get behind us at Bourne Park like they get behind us away from home.

“I’m sure that will happen once we get home but that’s going to be some time yet, so hopefully they’ll come to our home games as well and make a lot more noise.”

The Stones welcome Molesey to Bourne Park, Sittingbourne on Saturday, whilst Dartford travel to Croydon Athletic.