FOR most clubs, a points return of 83 from a possible 276 in its two previous seasons would have seen the chairman’s finger not so much poised quivering on the trigger, he’d long been using his digits to reload the gun.
Dartford are doing things differently. In fact it’s the manager who has contemplated giving himself the bullet, and he was met with unreserved board backing.
Tony Burman has presided over just league 20 victories in the past two years, yet he is still very much a wanted man.
The Darts finished an impressive eighth in their first season in the Conference Premier, but their second saw them survive thanks only to the indignity of a reprieve.
Things weren’t any better last year. As good as down half way through the season, this time there was no AGM salvation through others’ misfortune. For the Kent club, it’s probably for the best.
In his tenth year back at the helm, Dartford return to the scene of the manager’s finest hour. Promotion into Non-League‘s top flight via the Conference South play-offs in 2012 was a highlight.
So how do a club who have the losing mentality ingrained in them since 2013 turn the tables and put together a push for promotion in a league awash with cash?
“It’s about regrouping and recharging ourselves,” said Burman, 57, who also managed the club from 1993 through to 1996 before coming back in 2005, winning promotion three times since returning. “We need to get our mojo back.
“I can’t say I haven’t have my doubts. You do find yourself thinking ‘is it time for a change’ but after talking to my peers it was decided that it was best if I stayed. It will happen at some stage of course, I’ll know when it’s time.
“It’s refreshing I suppose. Look at what management has turned in to. It’s annoying that one day we’re god’s gift, then next we’ve turned into bad managers overnight, we can’t coach and we’re terrible tactically!
“Yes, we have been relegated and yes the last few years have been hard but there are reasons behind that. We’ve been a part-time team in a full-time league, it’s been a struggle. We’ve done our utmost to keep us at the highest level but you’re only going to win that battle for so long against some very big clubs.
“We now have a three-year plan to get back there and to fund what is needed to be training two or three mornings a week.”
Burman has watched his side beat Canvey Island 2-0 in pre-season and saw a late Thurrock leveller deny them a second victory in a 1-1 draw at Ship Lane last Tuesday.
Dartford may be back in the league they won promotion from three years ago but it’s a very different division to what they left behind.
Burman added: “It’s unrecognisable from a few years ago. It’s frightening now, you do wonder where it’s all going to go with the money that’s now in this league.
“Some teams are paying 52 weeks a year. It used to be that players wouldn’t sign for you because he’s been offered £20 more up the road. Now it’s hundreds, it’s astonishing and we might suffer but that won’t stop us working to get back.
“We need to get our heart back and start giving our supporters something to cheer about.”
