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Dartford FC will stand by manager Tony Burman despite a second successive relegation from the Vanarama Conference

Tony Burman Picture: Steve Crispe
Tony Burman Picture: Steve Crispe

Dartford will stand by manager Tony Burman despite the club facing a second relegation in as many seasons.

One point from two games over the Easter weekend means the Darts could be sent back to Conference South on Saturday when Nuneaton visit Princes Park.

Burman found himself in the same position a year ago when Dartford finished in the bottom four, only to be handed a summer reprieve.

Although their three-year stay in non-league’s top flight now looks to be over, Burman will stay on to oversee the interconnection of the club’s developing youth system with its first-team structure.

He said: "The ‘in thing’ to do at football clubs is to sack the manager. That’s what they all do and if that’s the ‘in thing’, so be it. But it’s different here because we’re trying to make the foundations of the club even stronger.

"I’m disappointed to be involved with a club that’s been relegated for the last two seasons but I’m proud to have been in charge and brought the club up to where it is.

"Is there shame in being relegated out of this great division? I don’t feel ashamed of it at all.

"Everyone at the club could not have done any more to try and help the team stay in the league. But the batteries need charging and unfortunately it’s the first-team that’s suffered over the last two years.

"We’ve got things we’re trying to put in place and trying to get stronger for the last five years. That will come to fulfilment in the next six to 12 months.

"People say ‘is it time for you to hand over?’ but it hasn’t quite happened yet. I’ll know when the time’s right because I’ll think I’ve done what I can do.

"There are still some things to put into place and it’ll be a far better outfit and club when the time comes for me to say ‘that’s enough’."

Read the full story in the Dartford Messenger.

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