DFC Player updates 26/27

[Spike]

Brandon Davey – career summary

Brandon Davey is a 23-year-old central midfielder who started out in the Dartford youth set-up before moving into senior football with Corinthian. He spent three seasons in Corinthian’s first team, making more than 100 appearances and developing into one of their key midfield players.

During the 2023/24 season he was part of the Corinthian side that reached the SCEFL Premier Division play-off final, losing to Erith Town on penalties. His performances earned strong praise, with Corinthian describing him as having had an “incredible season” and noting that higher-level clubs were likely to be interested.

Davey joined Margate in the summer of 2024, where he quickly became an important part of Ben Greenhalgh’s side. He made 50 appearances in his first season, scoring three goals, all of them coming in consecutive matches in November 2024. At the end of the 2024/25 campaign he was named both Players’ Player of the Season and Manager’s Player of the Season at Margate.

Margate retained him for 2025/26, with Greenhalgh praising his work rate, development and importance to the team. Davey’s overall Margate record is listed as 75 appearances and 3 goals. He suffered an injury at Sheppey United in September 2025 but returned to action in February 2026.

In short, Dartford are bringing back a former academy player who has gone away, earned over 100 senior games at Corinthian, established himself at Step 4 with Margate, and gained a reputation as an energetic, hard-working central midfielder.

Sources: Margate FC History, Margate FC, Kentish Football, Kent Sports News.

[The 5th Searcher]

Sounds an interesting and energetic player, welcome back to The Darts Brandon Davey.

What’s a bit more worrying is there’s still no news regarding Olly Box, Eddie D’Sane, Sam OKoye & Sam Odaudo and whether they are staying for another season or are looking to leave and try elsewhere.

Fingers crossed they all stay.

[Lars Resort]

We have to go with Ben's decision on things as he has obviously worked close with the academy. If Brandon is anything close to Olly, Jeremiah and Sam then hopefully we have a gem coming back to us.

[Pedro]

Good to see that Ben is building from the back to front with the forward line to be settled alongside Dan. With the back line looking a bit crowded, I wonder if there is room for one or both Sams? It would be a shame to lose either of them.

[JCJ]

It would be good to hear about the 4 players from last seasons squad,

Be good to keep all 4 but I cannot see it I feel maybe we lose both the Sam's which will be a shame with Sam Odaudu attracting interest from clubs above if the rumours are true, A front line of Dan Smith Olly and Eddie will have goals in it espceally if you add Ben Greenhalgh to that, but worrying we have not heard about them maybe on holiday?

[Grassbank]

Brandon makes nineteen including academy retained players on Park Life's list. I would expect twenty-four to be a maximum squad size allowing for two keepers, but expect twenty-two to be more likely. That suggests to me that we will not be retaining all four of the 'outstanding decisions' from last season.

It would be interesting to know how many goals Eddie could score if playing regularly in a decent team. Hopefully he will not want to head to Ramsgate to warm the bench there.

[Spike]

I think the most likely expanation for players not having committed to staying yet is that they are hoping for better offers elsewhere.

Whatever they decide though, although Ade rates him as the best striker in the league last season, I would say Eddie would prefer to be on the pitch where he would have a chance to prove it. There's not a cat in hell's chance of Eddie going to Ramsgate.

[The 5th Searcher]

Brandon makes nineteen including academy retained players on Park Life's list. I would expect twenty-four to be a maximum squad size allowing for two keepers, but expect twenty-two to be more likely. That suggests to me that we will not be retaining all four of the 'outstanding decisions' from last season.

It would be interesting to know how many goals Eddie could score if playing regularly in a decent team. Hopefully he will not want to head to Ramsgate to warm the bench there.

Phil, whatever Eddie decides to do there is 100% not a chance that he will be going to Ramsgate. Had Ady stayed then Eddie had already said he would leave and wouldn’t play for Ady again. After constantly being put on the bench or not even selected when fit he’d had enough.

I am hoping and praying that both Eddie & Olly stay, I’m just getting a bit worried now that as it still hasn’t been announced at all then they could both be going.

[Park Life]

Squad pdate:-

SIGNED
Ryan Sandford
George Whitefield, Joe Tennent, Ben Swift, Emmanuel Oke, Adrian Gyamera
Jeremiah Pinder, Jacob Bland, Sammie McLeod, Ben Greenhalgh, Scott Wagstaff, Jordan Higgs, Brandon Davey
Dan Smith

Academy players retained - Richie Atkins, Albie O'Mara-Knapp, Carter Sullivan, Hugo Taylor
Dean Nayler (invited back for pre-season)

NO DECISION YET
Olly Box, Samuel Okoye, Sam Odaudu, Eddie Dsane

LEFT
Samir Carruthers, Jonny Henly, Callum Jones, Luther Williams, Denzelle Olopade, Evans Kouassi, Michael Olarewaju, Ben Frempah, Sam Smith, Ikechi Eze

[Park Life]

Squad pdate:-

SIGNED
Ryan Sandford
George Whitefield, Joe Tennent, Ben Swift, Emmanuel Oke, Adrian Gyamera
Jeremiah Pinder, Jacob Bland, Sammie McLeod, Ben Greenhalgh, Scott Wagstaff, Jordan Higgs, Brandon Davey
Dan Smith

Academy players retained - Richie Atkins, Albie O'Mara-Knapp, Carter Sullivan, Hugo Taylor
Dean Nayler (invited back for pre-season)

NO DECISION YET
Olly Box, Samuel Okoye, Sam Odaudu, Eddie Dsane

LEFT
Samir Carruthers, Jonny Henly, Callum Jones, Luther Williams, Denzelle Olopade, Evans Kouassi, Michael Olarewaju, Ben Frempah, Sam Smith, Ikechi Eze

[Lars Resort]

I for one would love to see Okoye stay. He's fast and loves going forward. Obviously not saying I not bothered about the other three. You have to be daft to say you don't want the others.

[ArtTheDart]

Until recently Eddie had been out in America playing in a 7v7 tournament https://tst7v7.com/soccer-teams/drunken-monkeys/. Now that his team is out he might be available to discuss his Darts future soon

[The 5th Searcher]

Michael Oluwaju was playing in the same team as well.

[LA Dart]

I am pleased also that Bland and McLeod have signed. Having waited a while for Sammy to get over his injury he got better as the season went on and finished very strongly.

Have to say I was quite surprised to see us retain Mcleod. Thought he had one half decent performance last season but thought he looked very below standard and struggled to make the matchday squad when he was fit. Hopefully with a full 2 months rest and a full pre season he’ll show signs of improving

Agreed ! When I saw him late last season he looked way off the pace…

[ozymandias]

Considering the lad was injured for most of the season I think he should be given a chance, but with the players we've signed so far he could find himself down the pecking order.
But the matches he was involved in last season I thought he did quite well considering.

[WillDfc42]

Olly box has turned down a vastly improved offer to leave for full time football.

[SKennedyDFC]

Massive loss that with Olly going, but I doubt anyone is surprised. Will be interested to see how he does at a higher level / full time football.

[Pedro]

I really thought he was going to make the jump last season, so not surprised. Good luck Olly and hopefully you have already found a decent full time outfit.

COYD

[Dart of Herts]

In case anyone missed this due to twitter’s character limit:

Under FA rules, as a player under the age of 24 who has been at the club from a young age and educated in our academy, DFC is entitled to compensation from any club he moves to.

While we have had an offer for Olly, it has not yet met our evaluation but negotiations are ongoing. If the two clubs cannot find an agreement it will go to an FA tribunal which will make the final decision on the fee.

[WillDfc42]

Olly Box has signed for Ebbsfleet