We would love to go through to the next round, says Dartford boss Tony Burman

DARTFORD boss Tony Burman says he wants his side to remain in The FA Cup for as long as possible so they can relish the publicity that comes with it, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Darts welcome their Blue Square Bet South rivals Bromley in a winner-takes-all showdown at Princes Park on Saturday with a place in the First Round up for grabs.

A crowd of nearer 2,000 is expected at Princes Park on Saturday as both Kent clubs are just a potential 90 minutes away from taking their place in the First Round. 

Gillingham will be joined by at least one of their non-league neighbours in Sunday’s First Round draw, which is screened live on ITV1 on Sunday lunchtime at 1:30pm.

“It’s a great tie.  I’m pleased that we’re at home.  The FA Cup throws up ties like this and obviously it’s a massive game,” said Burman.

“When we played Bromley in the league and obviously in the Kent Senior Cup Final last year at our place the crowds were very, very good.  I don’t see that being any different on Saturday.  They’ve seen two good games of football that we’ve played at Princes Park and I’m really, really looking forward to it.

“There’s no pressure, if you like, for getting points because it’s a Cup game and it is The FA Cup and everyone wants to go as far as we can.  We got through to the First Round last year and we enjoyed every minute of it.”

One of the main disappointments of last season was the television companies decision not to provide live coverage of Hythe Town’s trip to Hereford, Dartford’s home tie against Port Vale and Dover Athletic’s heroic victory at Gillingham in last year’s First Round.

“Everyone wants to have that publicity put upon them and that’s what you’re playing for on Saturday.  It’s the best competition in the world and we want to try to go through as much as probably what Bromley do,” added Burman.

Dartford came so close to grabbing all the headlines against Port Vale last season, taking the lead through Elliot Bradbrook before the League Two highflyers grabbed a last-gasp leveller and won the replay 4-0 on home soil.

“We want to go back (to the First Round) because we done so well against Port Vale at home in the First Round tie and to draw that game and get nothing from it was really devastating on the day,” recalled Burman.

“It just shows you, Port Vale at the time were top of their league and they came here and with all due respect to them we should have won that game without a doubt.

“You only get one chance at a League club and we had our chance and we should have won the game at home.  We travelled up to Port Vale but the writing was on the wall that it wasn’t going to be our day.”

Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Bromley captures the imagination and one of these great Kent club’s will battle it out for a place with the big-boys.

“You look forward to those days,” added Burman.  “The FA Cup is fantastic – but we don’t want replay’s this year!

“We’ve been drawn at home.  Bromley are a good side and we’ve had some good games against them and we’re looking forward to it very much so and we want to progress into the next round.

“I just feel Saturday, it’s not points but it’s the pride and the bragging rights and it’s just the fact that it’s The FA Cup and we would love to go through to the next round.

Each of the  32 non-league clubs in the First Round share the pot of income that is generated by a percentage of the gate receipts played throughout the competition proper.

And Burman said: “The publicity is good but the financial side of things is always good in the FA Cup and it’s a lifeline for many, many, all non-league clubs.  We’ve been fortunate to have some money come in.  If we get knocked out our money, we’ve covered it to a certain extent.

“It’s great for the money to come in but hand on heart the publicity that it brings is the one that you want.”

When asked what he will tell his players ahead of the big-kick off on Saturday, Burman said: “Go out and enjoy yourself.  These are ties you really want to be involved in.  It will be a big crowd and a great atmosphere and there’s two good teams and we’re at home.  I’m sure the crowd will get behind the players’.  Let’s have a good Cup tie and a good football match.

“I think my players’ will work hard, that’s for sure, and they want to get through to the next round!”

Visit Dartford’s websites: www.dartfordfconline.com  & www.dartfordfootballclub.co.uk  

Dartford   v  Bromley
The FA Cup with Budweiser Fourth Qualifying Round
Saturday 29^th October 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Princes Park Stadium, Grassbanks, Darenth Road, Dartford, Kent DA1 1RT