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

[Mark Sweet]

There is no pleasing some people.

Everything must start with small steps exactly what the club has done, yet you are still complaining.

[DA Mikey]

Don’t eat at football, but have heard good feedback about the pie & mash out of the main bar and the kebab wraps from the grill. Skinners bar is a nice addition, I like the way it’s been done, though it serves little purpose to us dirty smokers and I don’t really want to buy a new plastic cup every fortnight.
It’s great that we can now take drinks out onto the terraces. Although a decision which suits me down to the ground, I was a little anxious about litter and behaviour at first. Early signs are that it’s working well and has reduced the halftime queues, so well done to those appointing these initiatives.
I may be mistaken, but seem to recall admission costs when PP first opened and we were in ILS / ILN as £8, rising to £10 in the ILP, then £12 for NLS and £14 in the heady NLP days. It amazes me that some will quibble over a pound or two on the gate, I guess we are all different but when Saturday comes, profligacy ensues and I’m out to enjoy myself, not save a few quid.

Best of all, have just read Disco’s quality preview of tomorrow’s game (can’t make it unfortunately) - how long is it since we’ve seen form like WLWWW? Dartford at home is usually a bye for most teams, but just maybe not this time!?

[Bagdhad Billy]

There is no pleasing some people.

Everything must start with small steps exactly what the club has done, yet you are still complaining.

Mark I think this phrase was said to you on many occasions last year seems you have turned over a new leaf .

Yes small progress has been made however the club have a long way to show they have turned a corner on taking the “supporter” for granted and until we are back fighting for national league status in the south and actively aiming to make the club a “Community” club constantly trying to find ways of getting the community to attend games I won’t be completely sold.

Being progressive with everything we do will take time after many years of what feels like decline although I’m hopeful they have finally started listening so fingers crossed !

We can’t live on just the amazing facilities we have we need to step the club not only back into the south but the end game must be an established national league side which with our facilities and catchment area is achievable.

Love Ady’s approach and we seem to be moving forward on the field of play which is great to see. Biggest positive for me is the opportunity being given to the youth players and I feel it’s certainly paying off

COYD’s

[Spike]

I'm told the pizzas are really good, but I haven't had one because it's difficult to handle an enormous pizza in a box at a football match, I'd rather just have a large slice that I can easily hold.

[Lars Resort]

They should have a food hub like the hundreds of Bank hubs that are now on the high street.
If they had Indian I would be tempted.
The food queue seems to be about the same as last season so still as popular. Getting lunch at a football game is becoming the norm and why not? Probably very enjoyable experience especially if you have the kids/family.
I hope it is a success.

[M1 South]

I’m more a Meat pie & if it’s no good throw it at the Ref sort of guy!!

[Saladfingers]

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.

See ya

[Watling Man]

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.

Sad

[Hitchin Dart79]

Perplexed why people seem surprised we have a good academy when we have produced some decent league players over the years….just we never seemed to see them in the black and white apart from ebou! Ady hopefully
Will change that and get them in there and given a chance!