The Dart(s) Board

Dartford FC Women became CHAMPIONS of the London & South East Regional League yesterday with a 1-0 win over fierce title rivals Saltdean Utd.
Runners-up over last two seasons, Darts never headed the league table this season until the last week of the season when they leap-frogged over Saltdean Utd and then took all three points in their last game. Massive congratulations to co-managers Connor Dymond & Martin McCarthy and the whole squad of great players and coaches plus its massive travelling supporters. The attendance was 504 and between 50-60% were Dartford.

The other attendance of note was : at Champions Bar (aptly named, but let's leave it at that) was zilch, whilst at the Irish Club it was massive where beer and money flowed, with special thanks to Tony & Julie for slapping down a handsome tab.

A great evening enjoyed with friends, fellow supporters and all the players and coaching staff and of course our managing CHAMPIONS - Connor & Macca.

These times don't come around too often and the Club must adjust its thinking. Meanwhile we all thoroughly enjoyed the day.

Special mention to Jade Charlton - voted Player of the Match. Absolutely well deserved, and the win was built upon her great performance.

- CELEBRATION TIME !!

Dartford Football Club, 2025/26 Champions and up to the 4th Tier of England's Women's Football. Plus, Kent Women's Cup Winners. Add to that, a handsome FACup Run, worth £30k + to the club
(Hopefully not just to pay bills!)

Where is it all celebrated? Away from our club's Champions' Bar, forfeiting much needed finances, which the Irish Club took full advantage of, yet again...
By the sound of it, 'might as well have been, the Irish Club Champions' Home - Coming!!

Very well done for a more successful, well - attended Quiz night. No problem at all with that.

Alas, on an evening of elation, with our returning coach, minibus and cars, this club couldn't even put any Forward Planning and Contingencies in motion.
E.g. Awaiting the Double Champions, why not have guided the Quizzers, to a more serene Park Suite upstairs, with less of a bar needed, in peace and quiet?

Having been 'promoted' last Sunday, the coach also returned from Dorking, to a Closed Princes Park, with not even an access to much needed Lavatories - Nevermind our Champions' Bar to splash the cash in and celebrate -
Another total lack of foresight! How would it have been, if it was the so - called senior men returning?

From these situations and "don't give a toss attitude", one can understand the frustration and anger, from all quarters of our club. Not just if / when our DFC Women wish to celebrate putting Dartford.F.C higher on the map, with mixed loyal men / women supporters and families.

No wonder most DFC supporters would welcome a modern approach of high finances but as importantly with one or more leading professionals, who would ring the major changes, that are desperately needed, on a daily basis around this club.
This would ensure a proper quality, welcoming organisation and infrastructure, with vision to embrace the whole of its fanbase, the local community and beyond. Of course, it'd add to the five year income plan aims, alongside the planned events.

This current club Outdated Thinking and Stagnation Cannot Continue...

Correct me if I’m wrong but would the party not have been at the Irish regardless due to its links with the management team?

Not going to get into the club bashing that seems so easy for some.

Jade was unreal yesterday and made a number of crucial saves.
The free kick for the goal was worthy of winning any game.
Also great to see such a high attendance taking into account the awful weather.

Massive congrats to the women, management and all involved for doing the double.

More celebrations from Saltdean on the south coast.

Kermo18 wrote: Mon May 11, 2026 10:35 am Correct me if I’m wrong but would the party not have been at the Irish regardless due to its links with the management team?

No, we were going to the Champions Bar and then the Irish Club when the Champions Bar closed. After all it is part of the club football club the women play for. I'm sick and tired of hearing about the budget and other clubs overtaking us when we don't even maximise income from the assets under our nose.
It was the same last year. The League Cup, County Cup and now the League Champions Cup have all ended up behind the bar in the Irish. This wouldn't happen at any other club in the country.
On a lighter note it was great to see John Stewart at the game yesterday. Now there's a guy with a business brain who was Dartford through and through. A great bar manager who would have kept the bar going all night long if demand required it. Clubs benefit enormously from their bar sales. Wealdstone have been a classic example of that over the years and it's made a major contribution towards their success.
The Irish Club made a lot of money last night. And the clientèle were basically made up of the players and those associated with them.
Everyone had a great time in celebration of a season where FA Cup and League history has been made. And you can add the Kent Cup to that. A classic match with Darts coming from behind to beat a very good National League side 2-1.

Let's wait and see for what the club has in mind for celebrating this magnificent season.
Here is a reminder of what the Dartford FC Women have achieved this season:-

2025-26
Champions of the London & South East Regional League and promotion to National League, Tier 4
Winners of the Kent Women’s Cup - beating Tier 4 side Chatham Town 2-1
Furthest reached in the FA Cup - 3rd round (versus 4th Tier London Bees)
Set a new attendance record for a home match for Dartford FC Women; 354 (v Keynsham 2nd round)
Set a new attendance record for a home match for Dartford FC Women; 420 (v London Bees 3rd round)
Set a new League attendance record for Dartford FC Women; 281 (v Newhaven).

These are truly momentous achievements and need to be celebrated in a way fitting to those achievements.
This is surely the time when the club will pull us together as one. Live the moment and build for the future.
Facilitate our assets.

COYD

Saltdean are lucky if they get 50 attending their home games. Their penultimate home league match attracted 47 against Dorking. Yesterday the official attendance was recorded as 504!
The majority of whome were Darts fans.

Abbey's great delivery that sealed the victory and championship for Dartford FC Women

Reminds me of a certain Dave Martin's strike at PP and in similar conditions but this one's Gold!

Brilliant

DARTS WOMEN SEAL TITLE WITH 0-1 VICTORY ON FINAL DAY AGAINST SALTDEAN UTD!

London and South East Regional Women’s Premier League, played on Sunday 10th May 2026.

The final day of the season saw the Darts Women head to Hill Park, to face Saltdean Utd. Both teams headed into this one knowing that victory would seal the title, so this was a game that promised to have it all!

The game began tentatively with both sides struggling to gain the upper hand early on. The first real chance of the game came for the hosts midway through the first period. In the 23rd minute, a well worked move from the hosts got them in behind the Darts defence, but Darts keeper, Jade Charlton was out quickly to block.

The hosts had the best chance of the half minutes later as in the 27th minute, a mistake in the Darts defence saw the ball fall to a Saltdean player in a promising position in the Darts box. The shot on goal was cleared of the line by Abbey Davies.

The home side went close again in added time of the first half as Dani Lane’s through ball put Saltdean keeper, Georgie Bridges through on goal. The shot from Bridges went past the post ensuring we were level at the break.

The hosts began the second half on the front foot looking for the opening goal and went close again on the hour. In the 60th minute, two efforts on the Darts goal were superbly saved by Darts keeper, Jade Charlton. Two saves of the highest quality!

The Darts were growing into the second half as it went on and got the breakthrough midway through the half. In the 65th minute, Abbey Davies with an unbelievable strike from distance flew over Saltdean keeper, Megen Lynch and into the roof of the net.
Abbey's free-kick is in-bound with ferocity


The hosts searched for the equaliser and went close 8 minutes from time. In the 82nd minute, a shot from the edge of the box was dealt with by Darts keeper, Jade Charlton.

There were big appeals from the home side in added time for a penalty after a Saltdean player went down inside the box. The referee waved away the appeals and that was that!

Victory for the Darts Women sees us promoted to the National League as….CHAMPIONS!

A huge THANK YOU to all the fans who travelled for the support. You have been fantastic all season long, home and away, and we couldn’t have done this without you! UP THE DARTS!

FT Saltdean United 0-1 Dartford FC Women

Team: Jade Charlton, Georgie Davis, Abbey Davies, Lizzie Adams, Shauni Griffiths, Paris Smith, Xayla-Rae Alberts, Charlotte Cunningham, Ellie Dolby, Mercedes Bromfield, Elsa Ejupi.

Subs used: Mya Lewis-Powell, Gabby Howell, Leila Awan,

Photo: This still shot taken from video - possibly by Mick How

Report by Connor Brennan