MEET THE OPPOSITION | DARTFORD
With Oxford City set for a tough visit to Princes Park, we take a look at Saturday’s opposition, Dartford, ahead of a huge play-off clash in the Vanarama National League South.
History:
Formed in 1888 by members of the Dartford Working Men’s club, Dartford FC have had relative success in the National League divisions ranking as one of the most successful clubs currently competing in the Vanarama National League South.
The Darts had notable domestic success in the past including winning the Isthmian League Division One North in 2007/08 followed by Isthmian League Premier Division glory in 2009/10.
The club later achieved promotion to the heights of non-league football in the National Conference for the first time since the 1980s in the 2012/13 season in which The Darts spent three consecutive seasons finishing 8th in their inaugural season before relegation in 2014/15.
Since, Dartford have been a mainstay in the National League South finishing second on two occasions and are currently on course for another runner-up finish this season.
Current Form:
As it stands in the VNLS, the Kent-based side currently sit second with a six-point cushion over third-placed Havant and Waterlooville and the Hoops both joint on 59 points.
Dartford kicked off 2023 in thrilling fashion with an emphatic 4-0 victory over runaway league leaders, Ebbsfleet United. The result completed the double over their local rivals in the league this season following a prior victory before the New Year.
January saw Dartford pick up three wins in five to cement their firm position deep in the play-off positions. So far in February, the Dartford faithful have seen their side secure eight points from a possible 12 – winning twice and drawing twice ahead of the visit from an in-form City on Saturday.
In their last outing, Alan Dowson’s side edged past Slough Town with Kieran Murtagh scoring the winner for the hosts maintaining the gap from their play-off rivals.
Meet the gaffer: Alan Dowson
Dartford are currently managed by former Woking FC boss, Alan Dowson.
As a player, Dowson made his breakthrough in the Millwall youth system before appearing for the likes of Bradford City, Darlington and Slough Town as a defender.
Dowson began his managerial career in a player-manager role at Walton & Hersham in 2004 after spending eight years there as a player. The Geordie then took on full manager role at Kingstonian in what would end up being a fruitful seven-year spell in which he won promotion to the Premier Division as champions.
The former K’s boss then spent four-year spells with Hampton and Richmond Borough and Woking respectively finishing second in the NLS with the latter in his first season before achieving promotion to the National League.
Dartford made the move to appoint Dowson in May 2022 following Steve King’s departure after the Darts missed out on play-off glory in the previous season.
Club Captain:
Dartford skipper, Tom Bonner brings a significant amount of experience to Dowson’s side. The centre-back initially joined Dartford in 2010 from Ilkeston Town before a move to Cambridge United in 2013. He eventually re-joined in 2016 following a move from Ebbsfleet United.
The 35-year-old spent his youth career at Queens Park Rangers as well as featuring for Scotland at U19s level.
Bonner has featured in all but two of Dartford’s league games this season, scoring twice in the process. Oxford City fans may remember him from the reverse fixture between the two sides as Bonner opened the scoring with a header in a 1-1 draw at the Raw Charging Stadium. He also (alongside Hoops midfielder Josh Ashby and Dartford 'keeper Ben Dudzinski) made it into the league's team of the season for 2021/22.
Key Player: Samir Carruthers
Amongst a Dartford squad pushing to ensure another second-placed finish in the VNLS, Samir Carruthers stands out as one of the Darts’ key figures.
Goals for Saturday’s hosts have come from various outlets this season but Carruthers ranks as Dartford’s top scorer so far this season with nine goals and one assist across 29 appearances. The central midfielder provides creativity and an evident knack for goals from the midfield.
The 29-year-old is another experienced head amongst the squad having started out in the Arsenal and Aston Villa academy systems. The former Republic of Ireland U21 has also featured for the likes of MK Dons, Sheffield United and Oxford United in his career before a spell with Hemel Hampstead Town preceding a permanent move to Princes Park in the Summer of 2022.
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