23rdsept03

Dartford secure sponsorship deals
Dr Martens League Eastern Division club Dartford has secured a number of new sponsorship deals.

The first-team have signed a two-year shirt sponsorship deal with Dartford Tyre & Accessories, whilst the reserves play their Go Travel Kent League fixtures in shirts bearing the name and logo of Thompson Electrical Services, while the
under-18 and under-16 youth teams sport shirts bearing the names of Amar Hall and Green Spice respectively.

Director and local businessman, Bill Archer, has even arranged for the Darts' Directors Bar to be sponsored - by Bonsure Insurance Services.

Dartford's Patrons' Club is entering its third year of existence. Again Archer is heavily involved targeting local businesses, and the club has raised over £27,000 for the Darts. Upgrades to Vice President status has pushed the total towards £30,000

Meanwhile, when Lee Mitchell made his starting debut at Newport IOW recently he was following his father's footsteps. John Mitchell was a Dartford legend, scoring twice on his debut against Corby Town in March 1967.

John reached his century of Dartford goals against Dagenham in the FA Trophy on January 10, 1976 - his 276th game for the Darts. He won a Southern League Premier championship medal in 1973-74 but missed Darts' FA Trophy Final
appearance against Morecambe in the same season. After spells with Dagenham and Tooting & Mitcham United, John returned to the Darts and scored on his homecoming on March 29, 1979 against Dorchester Town

Steve Robinson made his 662nd Dartford appearance in the home league fixture against Stamford on September 6, the eve of his 40th birthday.

Robinson made his senior debut for Darts just prior to his 17th birthday in August 1980 and picked up a winners medal! The occasion was the left-over Eastern Professional Floodlight Cup final when Dartford beat Maidstone United 1-0 at Watling Street. Last weekend Steve scored the third goal, against Peacehaven & Telscome in the First Round Qualifying Round tie. There cannot be many 40-year-olds who have scored in this great competition.

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