https://www.kentonline.co.uk/dartford/s ... et-327384/
"Darts hitting the target"
Dartford boss Ady Pennock's summer recruitment has been near perfect and there's room for more new faces.
Dartford manager Ady Pennock says summer recruitment has been near-perfect with just one top target missed so far
Matthew Panting
Dartford manager Ady Pennock has revealed he’s only missed out on one of his top targets this summer.
The Darts boss has rebuilt his squad after reaching the Isthmian Premier play-off final last season.
He’s already recruited keeper Jonny Henly, Ben Frempah, Sammie McLeod and Dan Smith to add fresh depth to an already-talented squad.
“I’m all right at the moment,” said Pennock.
“You go for players and I’ve been very pleased at the players I’ve gone for, except for one that I’ve missed out on.
“But everyone else I’ve been in for, we’ve got. Like I said to you before, in terms of my budget, I treat the budget as my own money so I just don’t spend it willy-nilly.
“You have to do it properly and we’ve got the right characters in.
“The new players have already settled in really well so the changing room is great but there’s a long way to go in pre-season yet.”
Pennock completed the signing of Ikechi Eze from Potters Bar ahead of last weekend’s first pre-season friendly against Charlton.
Eze is the older brother of Crystal Palace forward Eberechi and also spent time at Aveley last season.
“He signed just before the game on Saturday,” said Pennock. “He’s a midfield player and he’s got a lot of ability on the ball.
“It’s competition for places, really, and the squad is looking okay at the moment.”
When asked if there is room for more signings, Pennock admitted: “Yes, there is. But, again, I don’t want to just spend my budget in the first week of pre-season.
“It’s really important that we do it right.”
Ronnie Vint was among the trialists on show, along with former Cray Valley and Folkestone Invicta left-sided player Nathan Green. Young defender Sam Smith, who was at Maidstone last year, also featured.
Dartford fans got their first sighting of the new recruits during last Saturday’s 3-2 pre-season defeat at home to Championship Addicks.
A crowd of 3,584 enjoyed the summer sunshine at Princes Park, with the team wearing their new-look kit for the first time.
Pennock thanked his opposite number Nathan Jones for fielding his full squad.
“I want to say thank you to everybody for turning up and, obviously, more importantly, thank Charlton for bringing such a strong side,” said Pennock.
“The sun was out and it was a great day so we couldn’t have asked for more.
“We got some legs into the players and we had some fresh faces plus some trialists as well.
“I can't wait to get on the training ground and have more games. We have got hard games, I’ve always wanted hard games.
“I don’t think you get much out of winning 12-0 or 15-0. But, I’ll be honest with you, and the game was all about how many we got through the gate, which was fantastic.”
Pennock admitted that his squad are “miles away” from where he wants them to be on August 9.
But he knows that will come over the next few weeks and he’s excited to work with the players at his disposal as they aim to hit the ground running.
“I’m miles away from where I want to be but I mean that in a nice way,” said Pennock.
“I’ve got to say the players have given me everything so far in pre-season, but it’s very early in pre-season.
“I’m not saying that in a derogatory way. It’s in a way that we've still got a lot of work to be done.
“I wish I had this group full-time. It would be lovely if I had this group full-time but we haven’t. But they’re working so hard at the moment and I’m proud of them.”
Dartford continue their pre-season schedule at home to National League South Eastbourne Borough on Saturday before visiting Isthmian South East Herne Bay on Tuesday night.
Nice one Kentc . Do you think they'll finish that high?
