Trophy winning boss instils an "over my dead body" attitude into his players - EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW

Sunday 27th August 2006

Dartford’s veterans have today helped to raise over £2,000 for the children’s ward at Darenth Hospital, writes Stephen McCartney.Ten vets sides, including Dartford, VCD Athletic and Charlton Athletic, took part in the Greg Lindsey Trophy at Phoenix Sports Football Club earlier today.

The five-a-side tournament was on behalf of two men who died of cancer.

Greg Lindsey, 45, and Geoff Osborne, 48, were two close friends of current Darts boss Tony Burman.

“It’s been a very emotional day,” Burman said in an EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW with www.kentishfootball.co.uk this evening. “ Lots of people have raised money and I will tell you that Dartford Vets have won the tournament.”

Burman was in the Darts’ side, which was managed by Tony Pamphlett, and contained current Slade Green player-boss Danny Evans, Ricky Bennett (VCD Athletic), Dean Bowey, Kevin Alexander, Kevin Randall and current Darts coach Paul Sawyer.

And Burman revealed he’s going to place the winning trophy inside the away dressing room at Whyteleafe tomorrow – to inspire the current crop of Dartford players to win their own pieces of silverware this season.

Dartford are currently sitting in second place in the Ryman League Division One South table, with seven points from their first three league games – two points behind Cray Wanderers.

But Burman demands a vast improvement after half-time, after a “lacklustre” second period against Kingstonian yesterday.

Jay May’s goal, on the stroke of half-time, made sure the north Kent club, who move into their stunning Princes Park Stadium on 11^th November, clinched three vital points, against a side tipped for a top five finish.

“People have said they will be in the play-off’s or win the automatic promotion so it was going to be a difficult game for us,” admitted Burman today.

“I felt in the first half we were the better side and possibly could have come in two or three goals up.

“But in the second half we seemed to sit back and let Kingstonian come at us and we were very fortunate to keep our three points.

“I let the players know what I felt at the end of the game because although it was great to get three points, the performance in the second half was not what I expected.

“I will say that last season we would have definitely lost the game – and we are trying to install “an over my dead body” attitude.

“And to be fair to the players they have come off the field winning the game.

“But they have to learn that they were fortunate on Saturday and they must try to do better and try and control the game themselves.”

Burman takes his side to Church Road tomorrow, to tackle a Whyteleafe side that’s fresh from taking all three points at Maidstone United yesterday.

Leafe’s Ellis Conroy saw red in more ways than one – being sent off for foul and abusive language during the first half in their 3-2 victory.

“Any away game is going to be difficult and my standards are that we must try and gain a point away from home,” Burman explained. “If we are fortunate enough to pick up three points, then that’s a bonus.

“Whyteleafe is going to be a very tough game, especially after their win against Maidstone.

“But with every team playing four games in eight days, we’re not able to judge until five o’clock tomorrow afternoon how good the start has been.”

But defender John Farley (dead leg) is rated “doubtful” for tomorrow’s trip into Surrey as Burman demands a vast improvement in his side’s second half performances.

“I felt our preparation in pre-season has been very good,” he said. “But our performances in the second half in the last two games may have been a little bit lacklustre.

“I hope that we can improve on our performance in the second half and at least gain a point from our game at Whyteleafe.”

Burman’s mystery scout travelled to Bourne Park yesterday and has reported back to him – information he will pass onto his players.

“We’ve had our man at Maidstone watching Whyteleafe and I will tell the players what to expect,” he said.

”Most managers in non-league football ask a favour from ex-players or friends and we are so grateful for these people who travel and watch games for us.”

Viist Dartford's websites at: www.dartfordfc.co.uk & www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk

Whyteleafe v Dartford
Ryman League Division One South
Bank Holiday Monday, 28^th August 2006
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Church Road, Whyteleafe, Surrey CR3 0AR