Wingate & Finchley v Dartford Sat 7 Mar 2026

[Paulcanary]

Rambo

You are only saying what so so many fans also feel too - spot on

[Ozytalksbull]

A perfect well thought out appraisal Rambo
And every part is correct , people have voted with there feet over the last few years, some people in here who I won’t bother naming castigated some for their views on what was happening at Dfc , but now they’ve realised those people were right with their views
This board are not and never will be able to follow in Bromley’s success
That’s where this club should have been but the board didn’t take the big step on
When TB was at the helm by giving him more money for top player recruitment

That’s my humble opinion and I’m really not bothered if that’s not others opinion

[MickW]

This post nails it perfectly.
I'm of Watling Street vintage, a season ticket holder for many years and a shareholder.
I gave up in despair after Christmas and it's unlikely I'll return thus season.
Change and a reset is sorely needed if we are to progress.

[Babylon]

I have missed 3/4 home games for no other reason than it was cold and I couldn't be asked.

To me we will be a ryman club for quite a while.
There are many ambitious clubs in this .league unfortunately DFC don't seem to be one of them

Investment is the answer otherwise I don't see any progress with the present set up.
Our presents squad is simply not good enough.to even make the play offs

Supporter since 1958.

[Paulcanary]

I so hope the board do take notice of our comments as die hard fans - the fact I never get a response to queries such as Bradders testimonial etc says everything …

The DFC ladies are keeping my DFC links alive and that’s only as my granddaughter likes to watch them play.

[DA Mikey]

Sadly Paulcanary, I have had the temerity to mention content of this forum in the presence of powers-that-be, only to be told that it is full of idiots spouting rubbish. That was several years ago, but I very much doubt that opinion has changed.

In fairness, the Isthmian Premier is a tough league, W&F are tricky opponents on their patch and Bradbrook… was he all that really?

[ozymandias]

We all know that there ARE some fans on here that do spout rubbish Mikey but also that there are caring fans too.
I cherry pick my matches of late ( last three or four seasons), not because of the standard of football but because of the driving up. I have been a supporter since 1968.
I entirely agree with Rambo's post, it was well put together and echoes what a lot of us are thinking. This club for me has definately lost it's way in the last 5 years.

[Babylon]

I have also read Rambo's post and I also totally
agree.
DFC are dawdling along and going nowhere.
Excellent facilities and a good set up but the management and this squad of players are average at best.

[JCJ]

Talk of Kingy coming back he has just be named Eastbourne manager

[Sleightly Deceptive]

Talk of Kingy coming back he has just be named Eastbourne manager

I’m not sure there was any talk of him coming back JCJ. But plenty of talk of him not coming back. . I wish he would but it’s never going to happen.

[Paulcanary]

Sadly Paulcanary, I have had the temerity to mention content of this forum in the presence of powers-that-be, only to be told that it is full of idiots spouting rubbish. That was several years ago, but I very much doubt that opinion has changed.

In fairness, the Isthmian Premier is a tough league, W&F are tricky opponents on their patch and Bradbrook… was he all that really?

Sad if what you say is true - opinion has to be listened to and I’m sure some of us know we are balanced and sensible !

Bradders goals and midfield presence along with Haysie Nobes Burnsy and Duracell Danny Harris were part of the best ever team DFC have ever had - nor sure how the board could disagree with that !

[Babylon]

That Burman squad which included
Bradbrook,. Harris,Hayes ,Burns and Noble was the 2nd best squad that I had the privilege to watch.

The best Dartford team Imho was the one that won the Southern league Premier and reached the FA trophy final at Wembley in 1974

[Lars Resort]

I have to point out that Eastbourne is closer to home for SK. Also, that ploughing money from a sugar daddy or financial backers is not a rubber stamped solution to all clubs problems.
Eastbourne went full time 2years ago I believe with money behind the move. The sky was the limit. Looks like the arse has fallen out of that one. Also with a similar case at Truro, it looks as if it takes a lot of money to stay in the National Premier , it's that or they have a rubbish manager.
We apparently have neither.

[Dave T]

I have to point out that Eastbourne is closer to home for SK. Also, that ploughing money from a sugar daddy or financial backers is not a rubber stamped solution to all clubs problems.
Eastbourne went full time 2years ago I believe with money behind the move. The sky was the limit. Looks like the arse has fallen out of that one. Also with a similar case at Truro, it looks as if it takes a lot of money to stay in the National Premier , it's that or they have a rubbish manager.
We apparently have neither.

I too am a long term supporter who has lost the faith over the past couple of seasons. I have attended fewer games in the past two seasons than in any season since l started in 1977.

I'm not particularly proud of that, but it's just been utterly soul destroying to see the club wallowing at this level, with absolutely no sign of any genuine ability, ambition or desire to return to the NLS, let alone the NLP. Seeing so many formerly smaller clubs in the South East (and genuinely good luck to them) prospering and leaving us trailing in their wake is very hard for DFC fans to take. Surely though we must try and learn from them?

Going through the heartbreak of losing Watling Street etc, I can understand why the reformed club was structured as it is to prevent that happening again.

Conversely, l would hate to see a non football multi millionaire take over the club (like Eastbourne Borough) and appoint a clueless CEO (ditto EBFC) and utterly destroy the club, before they inevitably lose interest and walk away, leaving the club in ruins.

Surely though, there has to be some middle ground, assuming of course, that financial investment really is the issue here?!!!

[Ajaxman DFC]

I have to point out that Eastbourne is closer to home for SK. Also, that ploughing money from a sugar daddy or financial backers is not a rubber stamped solution to all clubs problems.
Eastbourne went full time 2years ago I believe with money behind the move. The sky was the limit. Looks like the arse has fallen out of that one. Also with a similar case at Truro, it looks as if it takes a lot of money to stay in the National Premier , it's that or they have a rubbish manager.
We apparently have neither.

A couple of years ago I purchased a copy of "THERE IS NO F IN SALES' written by Simon Leslie, owner of Eastbourne Borough FC. It was an interesting read on how he conducted his business interests outside of football. He believes in a work in progress through revitalising the club by energising the local community. He hasn't exactly thrown money at it but invested modestly, with one step at a time through taking risks he can afford to lose. He understands the markets knowing when to stick or twist nullifying the option of going bust. On the field the club have bizarrely been fluctuating in the National South between being promotion contenders one season to escape artists the next. Irrespective of what happens this season Leslie is quite sensibly going for a reset by reverting back to part time football next season with no long term damage being done by taking the sensible option. But atleast Eastbourne have a man at the helm who is prepared to invest a reasonable amount of money into the club and have a real go. Which is more than we have. I remember listening to an interview with a self-made multi millionaire relating his philosophy on navigating the road to success. He said it's very rare to succeed first time round or second, third or even more. But never forget the wise old saying, "If at first if you don't succeed, try, try, try again". Basically, keep on trying until you get it bloody right. But to do nothing only to react, through blind panic, when it's too late like one long term member of the National South recently did, is no different to parking a car on a steep hill and leaving the handbrake off.
With Eastbourne it's not a case of doing nothing followed by a knee jerk reaction without a financial plan for next season. Contingency plans are already in place. If they do get relegated I'd back them to return to the South at the first attempt. And they won't go down without a fight as we found out to our cost. This will also make the Isthmian Premier even harder to get out of next season. This league is a hell of a lot tougher than it was in the days of Bradbrook, Noble, Hayes and Harris etc. There are still only two promotion places up for grabs. Two very good teams will get promoted. But there will also be quite a few equally good sides whose expectations will leave them very disappointed when the final whistle is blown at the end of the 25/26 campaign.