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Dartford FC captain Elliot Bradbrook set to leave the club

Elliot Bradbrook looks to have played his last game for Dartford.

Bradbrook made his 400th start for the club in Sunday's National League South play-off semi-final against Braintree Town.

But the captain was in tears after a 1-0 defeat ended Darts' hopes of promotion back to the National League.

Elliot Bradbrook feels the pain of Dartford's play-off defeat Picture: Steve Crispe
Elliot Bradbrook feels the pain of Dartford's play-off defeat Picture: Steve Crispe

Asked if that was to be his last game for the club, Bradbrook said: "Yes, to be fair.

"Obviously I'll have a chat with Tony Burman in the summer but I felt this was the year.

"We got relegated four years ago and the decision then was to stay and try to get the team back up.

"The year after was hard because we got that reprieve and I didn't think that was fair because we didn't have a team capable of playing in that league. That was almost a dead season.

"The first year back (in the South) we did OK, finished just outside the play-offs.

"Last year we lost in the semis of the play-offs and I really believed it was going to happen this year and it hasn't."

Bradbrook sat in the dugout after the game with Ryan Hayes, Lee Noble and Danny Harris.

The quartet have served Dartford for a decade but that era is coming to an end.

Harris is undecided about his future and Hayes, the longest-serving player of all, may also leave.

Elliot Bradbrook is consoled by his former team-mate Josh Hill Picture: Steve Crispe
Elliot Bradbrook is consoled by his former team-mate Josh Hill Picture: Steve Crispe

Bradbrook said: "I always felt we were going to end on a high note - and we haven't unfortunately. That's life, I suppose."

In total, Bradbrook scored 133 goals in 411 appearances for Dartford over nine seasons.

"I'm not the sort of person who looks back and says 'I've done well' and all that sort of stuff. It's meaningless.

"Yes, I've done well, but I wanted to win the league this year and we were so close last weekend.

"I can't tell you how gutting that was.

"I still felt it was going to happen this week and it hasn't.

"I'm going to have to take some time out and reflect later on.

"This club's a part of me for a long time and I'm sure I'll be here lots watching in the future.

"I wish the club all the best."

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