The Only Way Is Up

15 April 2011 : Anderson Announces Intentions

In the 04/05 season at the age of 17 promising youngster Tyler Anderson from the Chelsea youth academy suffered a severe cruciate ligament injury to his left knee resulting in the end of his football career before it had begun. Coming to terms with the realisation that his playing career had ended Anderson struggled to find a job in the world outside of football always believing he still had a place within the beautiful game. Knowing that he could never become the player he had dreamed of being he was encouraged by staff and players still close to him at ‘The Blues’ to try his hand at coaching, earn his badges and look at the possibility of taking up management. 10 years on from the career ending injury Anderson announced today that he had been officially been classed as eligible to manage and was ready to make a name for himself as soon as possible. Speaking to the local paper he discusses his hopes and ambitions on this new path in his life.

“It’s great to finally have gained my badges and opened this new door. I’m really excited about the prospect of becoming a manager but i want to take my time and look at the available options. I don’t want to rush into anything too quickly but after spending so long out of the game I’m itching to get back in at the deep end. I might not have the experience that other managers have but I really feel I have a strong determination to prove myself and I hope a club somewhere will give me the chance to prove this.”

15 June 2011 : End Of An Era As Dartford Sack Burman

Dartford F.C has made the surprise decision to part company with long term manager Tony Burman. Burman, who was appointed manager in 1993 helped to steer his team to the English Isthmian League Premier Division in 2010 gaining promotion to the Conference South as well as creating a strong bond with the fans and players. However finishing 10th in the league doesn’t seem to have been enough for Chairman Bill Archer who has indicated in recent weeks that a change of direction and dimension was needed at ‘The Darts’. The decision to sack an icon from the club could lead to a backlash from the fans especially if Burman’s successor doesn’t produce the goods.

Early signs suggest that Archer is open to applications for the job indicating that they don’t yet have any particular targets for the job. Tyler Anderson, who recently announced his intentions to go into managing, could be in for the job. The 28 year old has no experience yet within the managing world but his youthful energy and determination could be what Archer is looking for to take Dartford to the next level. However with the new season only weeks away ‘The Darts’ will have to move fast though or face not being ready in time for the league kick off on the 6th August.

20 June 2011 : Anderson The Man For The Darts

Dartford have today confirmed the appointment of Tyler Anderson as manager on what is believe to be a 2 year deal. Anderson who has no experience within the managerial world is a surprise appointment compared to other more experienced applicants. However Bill Archer obviously believes he has made the right decision stating that “Anderson brings a new look to the club. For a young man he has a very special ability. His tactical knowledge and enthusiasm for the job as well as his knowledge of football at all stages from conference to premier league made it an easy choice for me to appoint him.”
Anderson will have problems from the start however by having to win over the Darford faithful though who are still angered over the sacking of former manager Tony Burman. That along with the pressure from the chairman to succeed will be the making or breaking of Anderson. A press conference has been scheduled for later in the week.

Events In Motion

The first day on the job is never nice. Despite being excited walking into the Princes Park I can’t help but be anxious. The first few days were going to be busy. I needed to know where the club was with its squad depth and skill, how financially secure it was and how the staff were running it.
The most important of these were the finances. Going into the meeting with the chairman I was hoping for some good news. I wasn’t expecting any major funds but I was hoping to have a little to play around with when it came to the wage budget. What I was offered left me disheartened to say the least. The club having recently moved into a recently built 6000 seated stadium and was not in the position to give me anything over £4,500 a week. This may seem a reasonable amount at a club like this but when compared to the £4,580 a week we are already spending it doesn’t take a genius to see we are going to have to get rid of players before we can start to develop the squad. However overall we are not in any serious financial difficulty and have no outstanding loans which is encouraging.



My next meeting involved the backroom staff at the club. I allowed each in turn to discuss what they brought to the team and how they could help me. I could see easily that the staff would need a touch up. The coaching was acceptable at this time especially on a tight budget but the scouting and assistant manager would be something I would need to change. I sadly informed Paul Sawyer and Liam Baker that though they had been a valuable part of the team it was time for a change and both accepted mutual terminations of their contracts. I will now be on the hunt to find myself my new number two and at least 1 scout.



My final meeting was the most nerve racking. Addressing 22 people can be difficult enough but it’s even harder when you’re their boss and they have never heard of you. It’s made even trickier when you know that some of them will be made available to other teams as we try to free up the wage budget. However that talk is for another time. Today I just want to get my ideas and aspirations across. I want us to be a successful team thought I know it will take time. I’m not putting any pressure on the team to become successful overnight, this is going to be a building process. What I did notice during my squad meeting was the amount of youth and potential there was. This is both encouraging as if gives us a bright future but it is a worry at the lack of players with a strong current ability. I inform the squad to go about their training as normal and that I will discuss their futures and the teams tactics at a later date.

Out With The Old In With The New

After sacking the assistant and scout at the club I first aim was to find strong replacements. Martin Grainger filled the role of Assistant manager. His stats may not be of the scale but he has a decent enough ability in player ability, potential, motivation and tactical knowledge to get me through the first season or two.



The scouts were quickly picked up in the form of David Winnie and Kenny White. Both have a good ability in player potential and ability for the moment so that I can assess available targets to sign. Both signed non contracts as well which benefits me in the way of not paying them anything.





The first team squad was in need of a major revamp. The team was expected to finish mid table but I wanted to change that. My aim was to at least challenge for the playoffs and so I needed a team I believed could do that. This meant that there were a lot of out goings to allow for the incomings.



Most of the outgoings were for free as my intentions were to free up the wage budget rather than bulk up the transfer kitty. However the 10K received will help the overall financial books.



All of my incomings were for no expense. Witch a huge amount of talent out there for free I didn’t see the point in trying to make money purchases. That and the fact that the chairman had given me next to no budget to buy players were the reasons why I made a move for these players. I’m hugely encouraged by the players we have been able to bring in. The likes of Counago and Sinclair have in the past played for major teams and still have a great deal of talent to offer. Those then mixed with quality youngsters such as Bell and McCaffey gives me hope that we can challenge near the top of the league.

Tactics

Pre-Season

Overall I was very pleased with how the team performed. Though we only won 3 of our games, the fact that almost all the matches were against stronger teams for our financial benefit we still performed to a very high standard. The team seems to have gelled together well and become accustom to the new tactics which gives me confidence we can have a good season.

#64646 All-Stars 94 :

Out With The Old In With The New

After sacking the assistant and scout at the club I first aim was to find strong replacements. Martin Grainger filled the role of Assistantr. His stats may not be of the scale but he has a decent enough ability in player ability, potential, motivation and tactical knowledge to get me through the firstn or two.



The scouts were quickly picked up in the form of David Winnie and Kenny White. Both have a good ability in player potential and ability for the moment so that I can assess available targets to sign. Both signed non contracts as well which benefits me in the way of not paying them anything.





The first teamd was in need of a major revamp. The team was expected to finish mid table but I wanted to change that. My aim was to at least challenge for the playoffs and so I needed am I believed could do that. This meant that there were a lot of out goings to allow for the incomings.



Most of the outgoings were for free as my intentions were to free up the wage budget rather than bulk up the transfer kitty. However the 10K received will help the overall financial books.



All of my incomings were for no expense. Witch a huge amount of talent out there for free I didn’t see the point in trying to make money purchases. That and the fact that the chairman had given me next to no budget to buys were the reasons why I made a move for these players. I’m hugely encouraged by the players we have been able to bring in. The likes of Counago and Sinclair have in the past played for major teams and still have a great deal of talent to offer. Those then mixed with quality youngsters such as Bell and McCaffey gives me hope that we can challenge near the top of the league.

Nice story so far. I really, really wanted counago for my Gloucester City save but I just couldn't afford the wages. I think my budget is abou half yours, and I'm £1000 over that:(. Looking forward to seeing how he gets on

Great work with the signings - they are a little obvious, but they are called 'obvious' because they obviously work! With a good tactic, you should be out of BSS and BSP in no time. League 2 is a different ballgame altogether.
Good luck.

August 2011 Events

To try and help improve our financial income the club have announced a link with Hartlepool. The club will receive an annual fee of £11.2K as well as hosting a friendly and having the opportunity to loan players from the club. The board see this as a good move to help secure the clubs financial future.
During the monthly meeting the board were pleased to announce that we had made a profit in the region of £11K which is hopefully a good sign of things to come.

August 2011 Matches

Dartford 2 – 0 Dorchester Town (Blue Square Bet South)

Pablo Couñago
Michael McCaffery
Pablo Couñago

A highly polished performance from the Dartford players saw their team run out 2 - 0 winners over Dorchester Town at Princes Park. Experienced striker Pablo Couñago saw a penalty beat the keeper but hit the post on the 17 minute mark. He was able to make amends for his miss however by scoring a real poacher's effort after 38 minutes. Young winger Michael McCaffery finally rounded off their victory on 90 minutes with an incisive finish.

Man of the Match: Lionel Djebi-Zadi (Dartford)

Staines Town 0 - 2 Dartford (Blue Square Bet South)

Pablo Couñago x 2

A highly polished performance from the Dartford players saw their team run out 2 - 0 winners over Staines Town at Wheatsheaf Park.Experienced striker Pablo Couñago gave Dartford the lead with a tidy finish in the 14th minute. Couñago completed the scoring for Dartford with a finish executed with aplomb on 18 minutes.

Man of the Match: Pablo Couñago (Dartford)

Dartford 5 - 1 Bromley (Blue Square Bet South)

Pablo Couñago x 5

In what had been billed as a close encounter, Bromley were trounced 5 - 1 by Dartford at Princes Park. The game will be remembered for a remarkable display of goalscoring from Dartford's Pablo Couñago.
Things did not get off to a good start for Bromley as experienced striker Pablo Couñago seized on an error by Tutu Henriques to score a well timed finish from close range. Couñago added his 2nd goal of the game with a fierce effort from eighteen yards out on 22 minutes. Couñago added his 3rd goal of the game with an accurate finish on 30 minutes. Striker Hakeem Araba pulled one back for Bromley after 47 minutes with a lucky strike. Then followed controversy as Dartford were denied claims by young centre-back Simon Cox for a penalty. Couñago added his 4th goal of the game with a close range finish which was timed impeccably on 78 minutes. There were no prizes for guessing who completed the rout on 87 minutes as that man Couñago popped up again with a close range header.

Man of the Match: Pablo Couñago (Dartford)

Woking 3 - 6 Dartford (Blue Square Bet South)

Yvan Tomatula
Pablo Couñago x 2
Gary Wales x 2

An efficient performance from Dartford saw them run out 6 - 3 winners over Woking at Kingfield Stadium. A brace from Pablo Couñago helped Dartford to victory. Midfielder Jack King gave Woking the lead with a fluke goal in the 27th minute. Midfielder Yvan Tomatula then equalised for Dartford in the 30th minute with a good header from just inside the six-yard box. Striker Elvis Hammond put Woking in front in the 37th minute with a tidy finish. Experienced striker Pablo Couñago then equalised for Dartford in the 40th minute with a shot from the edge of the area. Young midfielder Alex Woodyard had a chance to score from the penalty spot for Woking on the 43 minute mark but missed his spot-kick. Experienced striker Gary Wales then put Dartford in front after 49 minutes with a well executed finish. Wales added his 2nd goal of the game with a placed shot on 55 minutes. Couñago added his 2nd goal of the game with a tidy finish on 68 minutes. It was a superb solo effort and Couñago looked delighted. Midfielder Adam Newton pulled one back for Woking after 70 minutes with a shot from the edge of the area. Attacking full back Derek Duncan then summed up his team's performance by nearly gifting Dartford another goal on 78 minutes. Journeyman midfielder David Fernández completed the rout with a poorly struck effort on 89 minutes.

Man of the Match: Pablo Couñago (Dartford)

Dartford 6 - 1 Salisbury City (Blue Square Bet South)

Charlie Clough
Federico Bessone x 2
David Fernández
Pablo Couñago
Jon Wallis

The final score of 6 - 1 was fully deserved as Dartford totally controlled their Blue Square Bet South game against Salisbury City at Princes Park. A brace from Federico Bessone helped Dartford to victory.
Young striker Dan Fitchett got Salisbury City off to a flyer by scoring a well timed finish from close range on 4 minutes. Young centre-back Charlie Clough had a moment he will quickly want to forget about in the 11th minute when he contrived to score past his own goalkeeper. Veteran centre-back Federico Bessone put Dartford in front in the 16th minute with a simple finish from close in. David Fernández scored with a thumping effort from range in the 24th minute to extend the lead further. Experienced striker Pablo Couñago then added to the lead with an effort from the edge of the area on 33 minutes. Bessone added his 2nd goal of the game with a well timed finish from close range on 57 minutes. Midfielder Jon Wallis completed the rout with a powerful long range strike on 69 minutes.

Man of the Match: David Fernández (Dartford)

Farnborough 0 - 2 Dartford (Blue Square Bet South)

Pablo Couñago x 2

A highly polished performance from the Dartford players saw their team run out 2 - 0 winners over Farnborough at Rushmoor Stadium.Experienced striker Pablo Couñago got Dartford off to a flyer by scoring a tap-in on 7 minutes. Couñago completed the scoring for Dartford with a curling shot on 73 minutes.

Man of the Match: Pablo Couñago (Dartford)

Player Of The Month

A very impressive month by Pablo Couñago. Expected him to be my star sticker but he has surpassed my expectations and has been in unbelievable form. Hopefully he can continue it into September and continue his prolific goal scoring rate.

Manager Of The Month

Very happy to have won the award in my first month as a manager. Some brilliant results against other teams hoping for promotion and I believe that if we can plug some of the holes in our defence then promotion could be on the cards.

#64657 benjy00 :
Nice story so far. I really, really wanted counago for my Gloucester City save but I just couldn't afford the wages. I think my budget is abou half yours, and I'm £1000 over that:(. Looking to seeing how he gets on

Cheers Benjyoo, I find that Couñago is a beast in the lower leagues having already scored 13 in 6 games. He’s my highest earning player on £425 but I find he is well worth it. My wage budget is pretty tight now but hasn’t gone over yet so hopefully the finances will stay out of the red. Who did you go for instead of him in then?

#64662 akash.vidyasagar : Great work with the signings - they are a little obvious, but they are called 'obvious' because they obviously work! With a good tactic, you should be out of BSS and BSP in no time. is a different ballgame altogether.
Good luck.

Thanks Akash. Some of the signings are pretty obvious but I find that its best to try and get into the Blue Square Premier League as quick as possible. I do like to try and mix up the players I sign but the like of Couñago are guaranteed to get you goals. I am hoping to get to League 2 within the next 4 years but I don’t want to rush it. Worst thing you can do is have a team which has no chance of survival in a hard league so I’m hoping to take it slow especially as like you said league 2 is a big jump up in quality.

September 2011 Events

After deep discussions with the board and Chairman Bill Archer the club have decided to invest in better training facilities to hopefully benefit the squad in the long term. The development is expected to be completed in October 2012 and will cost in the region of £400K.

September 2011 Matches

Dartford 1 - 1 Hampton & Richmond Borough (Blue Square Bet South)

Yvan Tomatula

Dartford fans will have been frustrated by their side's 1 - 1 draw with Hampton & Richmond Borough at Princes Park. Young striker Pietro Palladino got Hampton & Richmond Borough off to a flyer by scoring a real poacher's effort on 6 minutes. Midfielder Yvan Tomatula equalised for Dartford after 59 minutes with a simple finish from close in.


Man of the Match: Ricky Machel (Hampton & Richmond)


Dover Athletic 0 - 5 Dartford (Blue Square Bet South)

Federico Bessone x 3
Pablo Couñago
Fergus Bell

A close-fought game at Crabble Athletic Ground ended in a one-sided result as Dartford defeated Dover Athletic 5 - 0. The highlight of the game was undoubtedly a superb hat-trick from Dartford's Federico Bessone. Veteran centre-back Federico Bessone got Dartford off to a flyer by scoring a firm diving header from inside the six-yard box on 6 minutes. Then followed controversy as Dartford were denied claims by experienced striker Pablo Couñago for a penalty. Couñago added another with a well timed finish from close range in the 47th minute. Bessone added his 2nd goal of the game with a good header from just inside the six-yard box on 58 minutes. Young striker Fergus Bell then added to the lead with an effort from the edge of the area on 69 minutes. Bessone scored from the penalty spot after Harris gave away a penalty.

Man of the Match: Federico Bessone (Dartford)

Havant & Waterlooville 0 - 2 Dartford (Blue Square Bet South)

Fergus Bell
Pablo Couñago

A highly polished performance from the Dartford players saw their team run out 2 - 0 winners over Havant & Waterlooville at Westleigh Park. Young striker Fergus Bell gave Dartford the lead with a real poacher's effort in the 22nd minute. Experienced striker Pablo Couñago finally rounded off their victory on 26 minutes with an accurate finish.

Man of the Match: Lionel Djebi-Zadi (Dartford)

Dartford 0 - 0 Chelmsford City (Blue Square Bet South)

After a 0 - 0 draw at Princes Park against Dartford, a key member of the Chelmsford City side claimed that his team were fortunate to escape from this Blue Square Bet South fixture with a draw. The first incident of note was on 52 minutes as Dartford were denied claims by Pablo Couñago for a penalty. Dartford had a number of attempts at goal but their profligacy meant they didn't score as many as they maybe would have liked.

Man of the Match: Justin Miller (Chelmsford)

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