Q&A with DFC chairman Steve Irving and management team Ady Pennock and Roland Edge

[Park Life]

I'm getting my questions ready........

[Sleightly Deceptive]

I have no questions but I’ll be along to hear some answers. Great idea!

[Park Life]

I have no questions but I’ll be along to hear some answers. Great idea!

It could be a short evening mate if everyone does that

Still the bar will be open

[The Duke]

I will be there , happy with the way that things have progressed under Ady and Roland and should be an interesting evening !!!!

[Mark Sweet]

Fantastic idea. Even if there isn't many questions I'm sure an open discussion will be useful for those interested.

I wonder if Paul Hurley will turn up considering how much he has to say on twitter.

[Lars Resort]

Hasn't this been done before then?
I'm sure we had the Steve Irving and Dowson Q&A last summer. Great expectations and all that. The arse fell out of the club.
Not saying we're going to have a repeat as Ade and Roland are definitely NOT of the same ilk.
Feet on the ground. Hopefully not going to make silly predictions set in stone inviting the doom and gloom 'what's going on ' merchant's an early shot at getting a new manager in.
Who's Paul Hurley by the way?

[M1 South]

Good to see it's open to All fans again & not just the select few, as per last seasons fiasco!!

[Mark Sweet]

Anyone able to summarise some of the key points from the meeting?

[Spike]

Who's Paul Hurley by the way?

He goes by many names, but has a style of writing that is easy to spot.

[M1 South]

Not too much summarising going on I see?

[The Duke]

Really enjoyed the 2.5 hours meeting which contained lots of positive view both from the Panel and the audience , great to have a Manager [ last one tony Burman] who speaks honestly and can be trusted , Ade gave info on player incomings and the way forward but obviously the former is QT at present till signed , IF you can get there it was well worth the effort which is more than can be said for[ recent ] previous events !!!!!!!

Every chance of doing well this season !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KingKong]

Any news on samir?

[Park Life]

Any news on samir?

If i remember correctly i'm sure Ady said he thinks he will be back about two weeks into the season.

[ozymandias]

Good write up from Ade in the NLP this week. No great expectations and no pressure on the lads. Of course we would like to get back up into the NLS and above but he's being sensible about this season.
Of course that may not be what a few on here would like to hear, if we go into the season running all well and good.
But if we stutter from the start expect the usual from the usual.
Also it's good that the lads think well of Jeremiah Pinder and are giving him a shot at the club. I knew I'd made a good decision with the Kit sponsorship .
Come on Jezza!
Come on the Darts.
Let's hope for something to shout about.
Good Luck the lads.

[KentC]

Good write up from Ade in the NLP this week. No great expectations and no pressure on the lads. Of course we would like to get back up into the NLS and above but he's being sensible about this season.
Of course that may not be what a few on here would like to hear, if we go into the season running all well and good.
But if we stutter from the start expect the usual from the usual.
Also it's good that the lads think well of Jeremiah Pinder and are giving him a shot at the club. I knew I'd made a good decision with the Kit sponsorship .
Come on Jezza!
Come on the Darts.
Let's hope for something to shout about.
Good Luck the lads.

You have to earn the right and everyone knows this will not be easy, but our mindset should be we’re going for promotion and we’re gonna go for the title.
Well see what happens yes but our ambitions must be of the highest and nothing less.
A winners mentality.

[Park Life]

https://www.dartfordfc.com/dartford-fc- ... a-session/

Dartford FC opens up at Q&A session

What has been the strategy behind player recruitment? How difficult has it been to effectively bring in a whole new team? What were the major challenges last season? Has the quality of the Academy surprised Ady? What has pleased the board and management team during pre-season?

The Darts Q&A took place last week, with dozens of supporters attending to find out the answers to these questions and many more.

Darts boss Ady Pennock and chairman Steve Irving spoke for more than two hours, with other directors, including Mark Brenlund and Tony Burman, and operations manager Jack Smedley, answering other questions towards the end of the night when fans got their say.

To summarise:

On signings

Ady has put in the miles to find leaders and players with character, something he believes the team lacked last season. He believes supporters will get behind players proud to wear the shirt this season. He has gone for a blend of youth and experience and hopes to hit the ground running.

On the Academy

Ady was surprised by the quality of the Academy, but impressed enough to sign four players to first team contracts. He is not afraid to use youth if they continue to impress. For Steve and the board, including Tony Burman, it was a proud moment and something that is testament to all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.

On last season

It was difficult for Ady coming into the club with just 10 games to go but relegation was a huge disappointment and not something anyone has taken lightly. However, it has allowed Ady to refresh and reshape the squad and all agreed it was now a case of learning from it and looking forward.

On football philosophy

Ady has used three at the back on numerous ocassions during pre-season, but has a plan B, C and D! He wants his team to excite, create chances and score goals but be more solid at the back. Players have practiced playing with 10 men and despite only having limited time with his new squad, Ady has relayed the formations he expects if there is a red card at different times in any game.

On the changes around the club

Steve said the club listened to supporters last season and executed plans to make many of the improvements over the past few months that had been highlighted. New food and drinks options, entertainment and board members were some of the changes that fans said had made a big difference already.

On signing so many players

Ady tried to keep some players on from last season, but many wanted to stay in the higher division. In retrospect, this has given him a clean slate to work from. He has enjoyed the challenge and has money left over should he need new faces as the season progresses.

On pre-season

Ady said the team has started to gel well. The dressing room is buzzing, with many senior players already showing their worth when it comes to leadership. He is really happy with some of the performances and is excited to get going. The division looks difficult, but performances against higher opposition in pre-season that has seen the new squad perform admirably, bodes well for the season ahead.

DFC thanks all the supporters who attended and hoped they enjoyed the night.

[Sleightly Deceptive]

Thanks.

[KentC]

https://www.dartfordfc.com/dartford-fc- ... a-session/

Dartford FC opens up at Q&A session

What has been the strategy behind player recruitment? How difficult has it been to effectively bring in a whole new team? What were the major challenges last season? Has the quality of the Academy surprised Ady? What has pleased the board and management team during pre-season?

The Darts Q&A took place last week, with dozens of supporters attending to find out the answers to these questions and many more.

Darts boss Ady Pennock and chairman Steve Irving spoke for more than two hours, with other directors, including Mark Brenlund and Tony Burman, and operations manager Jack Smedley, answering other questions towards the end of the night when fans got their say.

To summarise:

On signings

Ady has put in the miles to find leaders and players with character, something he believes the team lacked last season. He believes supporters will get behind players proud to wear the shirt this season. He has gone for a blend of youth and experience and hopes to hit the ground running.

On the Academy

Ady was surprised by the quality of the Academy, but impressed enough to sign four players to first team contracts. He is not afraid to use youth if they continue to impress. For Steve and the board, including Tony Burman, it was a proud moment and something that is testament to all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.

On last season

It was difficult for Ady coming into the club with just 10 games to go but relegation was a huge disappointment and not something anyone has taken lightly. However, it has allowed Ady to refresh and reshape the squad and all agreed it was now a case of learning from it and looking forward.

On football philosophy

Ady has used three at the back on numerous ocassions during pre-season, but has a plan B, C and D! He wants his team to excite, create chances and score goals but be more solid at the back. Players have practiced playing with 10 men and despite only having limited time with his new squad, Ady has relayed the formations he expects if there is a red card at different times in any game.

On the changes around the club

Steve said the club listened to supporters last season and executed plans to make many of the improvements over the past few months that had been highlighted. New food and drinks options, entertainment and board members were some of the changes that fans said had made a big difference already.

On signing so many players

Ady tried to keep some players on from last season, but many wanted to stay in the higher division. In retrospect, this has given him a clean slate to work from. He has enjoyed the challenge and has money left over should he need new faces as the season progresses.

On pre-season

Ady said the team has started to gel well. The dressing room is buzzing, with many senior players already showing their worth when it comes to leadership. He is really happy with some of the performances and is excited to get going. The division looks difficult, but performances against higher opposition in pre-season that has seen the new squad perform admirably, bodes well for the season ahead.

DFC thanks all the supporters who attended and hoped they enjoyed the night.

The match day experience?

The food and drink options are not much different apart from a pizza at the side beyond the gate.
I’m told it’s a very nice pizza if you like eating pizza at footy.
Hardly a reinvention or major change.

As for the rest the prices for the poor quality hasn’t changed, it’s all the same.


Entertainment?
Kicking the ball closest to the half way line? That’s entertainment?

As for the poor little ones who kick the ball about by the dugout before kick off who are in the main ignored and neglected. They are not lead or organised to make it a fun experience, they just kick a ball between themselves with no help from club officials who are always talking to someone else or not paying any attention at all. No effort made to make it special.

There are so many things that could be done pre match and half time entertainment. It’s very simple, would be very effective but the club have gone for minimal effort.
It’s very sad that they can’t be bothered to make it a fun time for families and children, yet they probably will say they do somehow.
Apart from being so many obvious things that would be fun there could be ideas taken from other clubs.


I’ve said before so I won’t beat it to death but an admission price structure would be nice and show they respect all fans not just ST holders and people who will go regardless.
I could easily do a large portion of games, over half, but I can’t commit when due to work.
If you’re a regular of sorts why can’t they do something even if very little just to acknowledge that the only reason people like me don’t have an ST is coz I can’t commit to all games.
I’m not going into detail as I’ve done it before but we are the most expensive ticket in the division and nothing is done to help certain brackets like other clubs do.


So the club fool you, they say they’ve listened , great, enjoy your pizza, they’ve really pulled out all the stops.
As for the ticketing pricing structure, they don’t care about my genre and many others and don’t do jot in the community to bring families in.
The pathetic changes that they pass as entertainment and has been accepted by the supporters as improvements.
They’ve done bare minimum at best and sadly most have fallen for it.
I actually think they’re embarrassing and taking the mick.

It’s important for me to say I believe all the ST holders should have all the benefits, that’s part of the attraction.
The price of the early bird, the bar, I think all fair and if anything I’m jealous I can’t commit to one.
But there are other fans out there that will be missed out on.

I probably attend 90% of games, but i will not go to PP this season while there is no effort to help regular supporters like other clubs do, let alone get the floaters or families through the door.
I went to Chatham at PP and I’m sure I’ll go to one or two more at home but that’s a maybe, and just one or two.

Al also want to say I’m a huge fan of AP, I think he’s doing a great job, he’s also likeable and talks well.
He has got together a group of players who seem to want to play for Dartford and seem have extremely high fitness and strength levels.
Big admiration and respect for this guy.


I am a Dartford fan, I can’t go and watch anyone else. I have lived here 20 years and I live 5 minutes from the ground.
It’s the club I love and it’s my local community team.

There can never be anyone else even though I think the board in some aspects are doing an appalling job and only care about a certain people and certain supporters.
This is my opinion based on things that happen or dont happen not an emotional feeling.



I’m not a keyboard warrior, nor do I like being negative so I’d happily go to PP and discus this with any board member and put it to them constructively. Everyone knows they read this forum and there’s nothing wrong with that.
It’s not an offer or a call out but I’d face up to what I’m saying and explain to the people I’m mentioning why I believe I am right on this one.


I’ve heard from so many the board are nice people and approachable. I’ve no doubt about that.

[ozymandias]

So, did you actually put forward any suggestions on these subjects or any of your own Kentc?
I suppose I'm what you call a regular supporter, in fact I'm not so regular anymore. But my experience nowadays is just to catch up with friends and watch a game of football. I'm quite happy except for my bleat about parking and the programme, which I have done over the years.
But I gave on them a long time ago.
But I am back to enjoying my team and the efforts on the pitch.

[The 5th Searcher]

https://www.dartfordfc.com/dartford-fc- ... a-session/

Dartford FC opens up at Q&A session

What has been the strategy behind player recruitment? How difficult has it been to effectively bring in a whole new team? What were the major challenges last season? Has the quality of the Academy surprised Ady? What has pleased the board and management team during pre-season?

The Darts Q&A took place last week, with dozens of supporters attending to find out the answers to these questions and many more.

Darts boss Ady Pennock and chairman Steve Irving spoke for more than two hours, with other directors, including Mark Brenlund and Tony Burman, and operations manager Jack Smedley, answering other questions towards the end of the night when fans got their say.

To summarise:

On signings

Ady has put in the miles to find leaders and players with character, something he believes the team lacked last season. He believes supporters will get behind players proud to wear the shirt this season. He has gone for a blend of youth and experience and hopes to hit the ground running.

On the Academy

Ady was surprised by the quality of the Academy, but impressed enough to sign four players to first team contracts. He is not afraid to use youth if they continue to impress. For Steve and the board, including Tony Burman, it was a proud moment and something that is testament to all the hard work that goes on behind the scenes.

On last season

It was difficult for Ady coming into the club with just 10 games to go but relegation was a huge disappointment and not something anyone has taken lightly. However, it has allowed Ady to refresh and reshape the squad and all agreed it was now a case of learning from it and looking forward.

On football philosophy

Ady has used three at the back on numerous ocassions during pre-season, but has a plan B, C and D! He wants his team to excite, create chances and score goals but be more solid at the back. Players have practiced playing with 10 men and despite only having limited time with his new squad, Ady has relayed the formations he expects if there is a red card at different times in any game.

On the changes around the club

Steve said the club listened to supporters last season and executed plans to make many of the improvements over the past few months that had been highlighted. New food and drinks options, entertainment and board members were some of the changes that fans said had made a big difference already.

On signing so many players

Ady tried to keep some players on from last season, but many wanted to stay in the higher division. In retrospect, this has given him a clean slate to work from. He has enjoyed the challenge and has money left over should he need new faces as the season progresses.

On pre-season

Ady said the team has started to gel well. The dressing room is buzzing, with many senior players already showing their worth when it comes to leadership. He is really happy with some of the performances and is excited to get going. The division looks difficult, but performances against higher opposition in pre-season that has seen the new squad perform admirably, bodes well for the season ahead.

DFC thanks all the supporters who attended and hoped they enjoyed the night.

The match day experience?

The food and drink options are not much different apart from a pizza at the side beyond the gate.
I’m told it’s a very nice pizza if you like eating pizza at footy.
Hardly a reinvention or major change.

As for the rest the prices for the poor quality hasn’t changed, it’s all the same.


Entertainment?
Kicking the ball closest to the half way line? That’s entertainment?

As for the poor little ones who kick the ball about by the dugout before kick off who are in the main ignored and neglected. They are not lead or organised to make it a fun experience, they just kick a ball between themselves with no help from club officials who are always talking to someone else or not paying any attention at all. No effort made to make it special.

There are so many things that could be done pre match and half time entertainment. It’s very simple, would be very effective but the club have gone for minimal effort.
It’s very sad that they can’t be bothered to make it a fun time for families and children, yet they probably will say they do somehow.
Apart from being so many obvious things that would be fun there could be ideas taken from other clubs.


I’ve said before so I won’t beat it to death but an admission price structure would be nice and show they respect all fans not just ST holders and people who will go regardless.
I could easily do a large portion of games, over half, but I can’t commit when due to work.
If you’re a regular of sorts why can’t they do something even if very little just to acknowledge that the only reason people like me don’t have an ST is coz I can’t commit to all games.
I’m not going into detail as I’ve done it before but we are the most expensive ticket in the division and nothing is done to help certain brackets like other clubs do.


So the club fool you, they say they’ve listened , great, enjoy your pizza, they’ve really pulled out all the stops.
As for the ticketing pricing structure, they don’t care about my genre and many others and don’t do jot in the community to bring families in.
The pathetic changes that they pass as entertainment and has been accepted by the supporters as improvements.
They’ve done bare minimum at best and sadly most have fallen for it.
I actually think they’re embarrassing and taking the mick.

It’s important for me to say I believe all the ST holders should have all the benefits, that’s part of the attraction.
The price of the early bird, the bar, I think all fair and if anything I’m jealous I can’t commit to one.
But there are other fans out there that will be missed out on.

I probably attend 90% of games, but i will not go to PP this season while there is no effort to help regular supporters like other clubs do, let alone get the floaters or families through the door.
I went to Chatham at PP and I’m sure I’ll go to one or two more at home but that’s a maybe, and just one or two.

Al also want to say I’m a huge fan of AP, I think he’s doing a great job, he’s also likeable and talks well.
He has got together a group of players who seem to want to play for Dartford and seem have extremely high fitness and strength levels.
Big admiration and respect for this guy.


I am a Dartford fan, I can’t go and watch anyone else. I have lived here 20 years and I live 5 minutes from the ground.
It’s the club I love and it’s my local community team.

There can never be anyone else even though I think the board in some aspects are doing an appalling job and only care about a certain people and certain supporters.
This is my opinion based on things that happen or dont happen not an emotional feeling.



I’m not a keyboard warrior, nor do I like being negative so I’d happily go to PP and discus this with any board member and put it to them constructively. Everyone knows they read this forum and there’s nothing wrong with that.
It’s not an offer or a call out but I’d face up to what I’m saying and explain to the people I’m mentioning why I believe I am right on this one.


I’ve heard from so many the board are nice people and approachable. I’ve no doubt about that.

If you are that bothered and concerned about it then why haven’t you either approached a board member or even Steve Irving himself at a game and asked your questions??
Steve is very approachable and will try and answer what ever questions you have the best he can.

The other option you have is to send an email direct to the club and if it’s something that neither Jack or Hayley can answer then I’m sure they wouldn’t have a problem forwarding it onto Steve to answer and then reply to you.

These are 2 good options you have where I’m sure you’ll get answers as you won’t get any answers to your rant on here except from fellow fans who may or may not agree with you.

From my experience so far and I’ve only used it once at present, the food pod which is now run by the club seems to be far better quality and slightly cheaper than previous years when run by outsiders.
I’ve not tried the pizza’s but spoken to some who have who enjoyed them, I don’t know about the van selling the wraps I’ve not had them. The main bar up stairs run by Bite Me also does food now, they was selling Pie N Mash Monday for the Chatham game.

The on pitch entertainment at halftime is just a bit of fun if people want to watch or take part where someone can win £20 which isn’t bad.

The club are trying which is more than they have previous years and I can’t fault them for that.
Yes we may be one of if not the most expensive in the league entry wise BUT we probably have the best facilities in the league and the league above. Chatham have good facilities but chatting to one of their fans they was VERY impressed with what we have and was a bit jealous.

As I mentioned above next time you attend a game at PP either try to have a chat with Steve or a board member OR send an email and I’m sure you’ll get some answers. Whether they are what you want to hear or not I don’t know .