History

Dartford Football Club was formed in early 1888 by members of the Dartford Workingmen’s club and for the first few seasons, played only friendly fixtures with the occasional foray into cup football. A run to the final of the Kent Senior cup in 1894 encouraged the club committee to enter Dartford as a Founder-Member of the Kent League for the 1894-95 season. It was in October 1895 that Dartford first played in the FA Cup.

After winning the Isthmian League Division One North in the 2007–08 season and the Isthmian League Premier Division in the 2009–10 season, Dartford were promoted to the Conference Premier in 2012, in which they spent three seasons, including an 8th-placed finish in their first season at the level. The club’s best performances in the FA Cup came in 1936 and 1937, when they reached the third round of the competition; they have also reached the final of the FA Trophy once, in 1974.

In recent seasons, following their relegation from the National League in 2015, the Darts were often battling at the top of the National League South, with five play-off finishes in seven completed seasons before last season’s relegation to the Isthmian Premier Division.

Form

Following their drop down to step three, the Darts’ form has been somewhat indifferent, having won four and lost three of their opening seven matches. Their most recent result was a narrow 1-2 defeat at home to Bowers & Pitsea.

They currently sit 6th in the Isthmian Premier Division table, having both scored and conceded 10 goals in those opening seven matches where they’ve picked up 12 points.

Wins against Marlow and Leatherhead have earned the Darts their place in the Third Round Qualifying in the Emirates FA Cup.

Last Six
21/09 – Bowers & Pitsea (H) – Lost 1-2
14/09 – Leatherhead (H) – Won 2-0 (Emirates FA Cup)
07/09 – Dover Athletic (A) – Lost 5-1
31/08 – Marlow (H) – Won 6-2 (Emirates FA Cup)
26/08 – Chatham Town (H) – Won 3-1
24/08 – Carshalton Athletic (A) – Won 0-1

The Gaffer

Former AFC Bournemouth and Gillingham defender Adrian Pennock was appointed as Manager of Dartford on 1st March earlier this year.

Pennock took his first venture into management in January 2005 when he was given the job at Welling United and by the end of the season, he had guided them to their best league position for six years.

He spent two years as Welling United manager before joining Stoke City as a first team coach. He left at the end of the 2012–13 season following the departure of Tony Pulis, and on 12 November 2013, he was appointed as a manager for Forst Green Rovers where he twice led them to record highest league finishes.

Following spells at Gillingham and Barrow, Pennock then moved to Brunei in 2019 to become Head Coach at Duli Pengiran Muda Mahkota Football Club, where he spent five years before returning home and taking on the Managerial role at the Darts.

The Captain

Experienced centre-half, Josh Hill, returned to Dartford for a third spell after leaving Hemel Hempstead Town at the end of last season.

Having represented the Darts between 2013-14 and 2019-2022, the 32-year-old has notched up more than 60 appearances in all competitions for the Darts. He’s also found the back of the net on seven occasions, five of which came during his 2019-20 campaign, where he made 42 starting appearances for the club in all competitions.

Josh left Bericote Powerhouse Princes Park in July 2022, where he signed for Dulwich Hamlet. However he never really settled there, going to Enfield Town and Hemel Hempstead Town on loan, until signing for The Tudors permanently. Having also represented the likes of Coalville, Worksop, Boreham Wood, Havant & Waterlooville, St Albans City, Wealdstone, Braintree Town, and Welling United, Hill adds experience to the Darts’ defensive unit.

Key Player

Striker Callum Jones has found the back of the net in four out of the Darts’ last five matches.

Jones is a product of the Colchester United Academy, having worked his way up through their U18 and U21 teams. He left to sign for Chelmsford City in 2021 where, apart from a month’s loan to Braintree Town in March of this year, he remained. His time with The Clarets saw him make 70 appearances and score on ten occasions.

The striker can also play as a second striker and right winger and seems to have settled in well at Princes Park.