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Former Dartford captain Adam Flanagan returns to Princes Park this weekend as manager of Concord Rangers

Dartford welcome an old favourite back to Princes Park this weekend – although the man in question is plotting their downfall.

Adam Flanagan, now manager of Concord Rangers, won two league championships in three seasons with the Darts, helping them into Conference South.

Now he goes head-to-head with his former mentor Tony Burman, who released him in 2010 after what Flanagan described as the best years of his career.

Adam Flanagan celebrates scoring for Dartford during his time at Princes Park Picture: Matthew Barber
Adam Flanagan celebrates scoring for Dartford during his time at Princes Park Picture: Matthew Barber

He said: "I’ve been back as a fan a couple of times to watch the team in play-off semi-finals. It’s a fond place for me.

"It’ll be my first time going back as a manager and I’m looking forward to it.

"As a player, I always wanted to beat the teams I was at. It didn’t mean I didn’t enjoy my time there, it was just my competitive side coming out and it will be the same on Saturday.

"I want to beat Dartford because I want my team to do well. During the 90 minutes, all I’ll be thinking about is how we can beat them and, after the game, hopefully I can share a drink with Tone, Mose (Steve Mosely), Skip (Paul Sawyer) and all the lads who are still there from when I was there."

Flanagan, 38, called time on a four-year spell at Folkestone Invicta to sign for Dartford in the summer of 2007.

He recalled: "It was a special time. It was a new era for the club, they’d got their new stadium, they were in Ryman North when I went there and players came in to pull the team up through the leagues and get it to where it deserved to be.

"Tone did a great job of bringing in good players who were passionate about the club. There was a lot of camaraderie between the players and fans and we took that out onto the pitch.

Dartford manager Tony Burman Picture: Andy Payton
Dartford manager Tony Burman Picture: Andy Payton

"When I came to Dartford, I was 29 so I was coming maybe to my twilight years. Tone gave me a fantastic opportunity to be part of Dartford, something others would love to have been involved in.

"I’d like to think I repaid his faith by going out and doing the best I could. I was gutted when I got let go but, as time goes on, you understand.

"Who knows if it was the right or wrong decision but I still respect Tony and thankful for the years he allowed me to play for the club."

Burman said: "Adam's doing a great job at Concord.

"He's been a great lad to have around for Dartford. He helped us when he first came and he won leagues with us.

"He's having a go at management now and fair play to him.

"I talk to him on a regular basis. He was a top lad for us and a good captain as well.

"I'm sure he's going to put those qualities into management."

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