Dartford chairman Steve Irving begins the search for Adrian Pennock's successor after manager leaves Princes Park saying he's taken the team as far as I can

DARTFORD chairman Steve Irving has confirmed that manager Adrian Pennock will step down following tomorrow’s final Isthmian League Premier Division game of the season.

 

The Darts cannot finish any higher than sixth-place in the table and welcome bottom-three side Cray Valley (Paper Mills) to Princes Park, a side that are fighting for their lives within the relegation zone.

Sixth-placed Dartford have picked up 72 points (20 wins, 12 draws and nine defeats) while Kevin Lisbie’s side must win and rely on other results to survive in the seventh-tier.

Cray Valley have picked up 39 points (10 wins, nine draws and 22 defeats) and are within the relegation zone along with Carshalton Athletic (41 points) and already relegated pair Potters Bar Town (29) and Canvey Island (27).  Fourth-from-bottom side Hashtag United (42) have accepted voluntary relegation.

Pennock, 55, came into the club at a difficult time arriving on 1 March 2024, with a quarter of the season left and the team facing relegation from the National League South.

Over that summer the former Gillingham defender oversaw a major reshaping of the squad, guiding the team to the play-off final in his first full season – beating Steve McKimm’s Cray Valley 4-3 at home before losing to 2-0 to Dover Athletic - and have just missed out on the play-offs this season, with his side four points adrift of full-timers Chatham Town going into the final weekend.

“We’d like to thank Ady for his hard work over the past two seasons on the budget he was set,” said Mr Irving in a statement.

“He has brought us some amazing moments and narrowly missed out on guiding us straight back up last season.

“We thank him for his staff for their professionalism and dedication over the past few seasons and wish them the very best in the next chapter of their career.

“We hope all the supporters will give his team the send off they deserve on Saturday.”

The board will begin the process of appointing a new manager immediately.

Pennock said in his statement: “After two years as manager, I’ve decided that I’ll be leaving the club after our final game of the season on Saturday.

“This has been an incredibly difficult decision to make but under the current circumstances at the club, I believe I’ve taken the team as far as I can.

“First and foremost, I’d like to thank the chairman and board of directors, with whom I’ve had a fantastic relationship throughout my time here.

“I’d also like to give a special thank you to my players and coaching staff, who have given me 100% every single game during my time at the club. I’ve loved every minute of coaching them and couldn’t be prouder of how far they’ve come over the last two years.

“I’ve been especially pleased to see a number of academy graduates given an opportunity in the first-team and develop into fantastic first-team players.

“Finally, I’d like to thank the fans. Your support over the past two years, has been outstanding.  Princes Park has been a fortress this season and has certainly played its part in our home form, which has rivalled almost every team in the league.

“I’m proud to have been your manager and I wish the fans and everyone at the club all the best for the future.”

Pennock has previously managed Welling United, Stoke City (coach), Forest Green Rovers, Gillingham, Barrow and Singapore based outfit Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota.

Meanwhile, Dartford’s women’s side celebrated winning the Kent Women’s Cup Final after beating higher-league side Chatham Town 2-1 last night.

Chatham Town – who claimed the silverware last May 2-1 – courtesy of goals from Jess King and Lottie Sharp – with Dartford’s goal coming from Amy Russ in stoppage time – failed to retain the silverware when the two sides met again in Kent's highest-ranked cup competition for women.

Chatham Town led in Maidstone through former Dartford striker Ameila Woodgate but Dartford picked up the silverware thanks to two seconds half goals from striker Shauni Griffiths - who missed a penalty in last years' final - and an Abbey Davies’ penalty five minutes from time.

Dartford’s women side are jointly-managed by Martin McCarthy and Connor Dymond, who currently plays for Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division side Snodland Town in the ninth-tier of English football.

Visit Dartford’s website: www.dartfordfc.com