The Dart(s) Board

The 5th Searcher wrote: Thu May 07, 2026 5:57 pm Although I’ve already said I’m not happy with this appointment I may be being a bit harsh and unfair to Ben but I was hoping for a higher level of quality manager.

We have to give Ben a fair chance to see how he gets on, what players he retains & new players he signs and then see how things go both pre season and the first 10 or so games of the season.

He’s always done very well with the academy teams in developing them and turning them into football playing teams that can win things and his record at Margate has been ok so fingers crossed he can turn things around for us and turn us into an on the deck footballing side again which can hopefully start to win things again.
Plus we are more likely to start seeing some wingers back at the club again which we haven’t seen for a while now apart from Evan that joined us back end of the season.

A big thing is going to be who he will bring in as his assistant and backroom team. If the names mentioned to me are right then I will await the comments and possible fireworks.

Today is a fresh start and let’s see how things go but I think Ben knows he’s got a big challenge ahead of him probably starting from tonight as he starts to have chats with players.

Dave T wrote: Thu May 07, 2026 10:22 pm

The 5th Searcher wrote: Thu May 07, 2026 5:57 pm Although I’ve already said I’m not happy with this appointment I may be being a bit harsh and unfair to Ben but I was hoping for a higher level of quality manager.

We have to give Ben a fair chance to see how he gets on, what players he retains & new players he signs and then see how things go both pre season and the first 10 or so games of the season.

He’s always done very well with the academy teams in developing them and turning them into football playing teams that can win things and his record at Margate has been ok so fingers crossed he can turn things around for us and turn us into an on the deck footballing side again which can hopefully start to win things again.
Plus we are more likely to start seeing some wingers back at the club again which we haven’t seen for a while now apart from Evan that joined us back end of the season.

A big thing is going to be who he will bring in as his assistant and backroom team. If the names mentioned to me are right then I will await the comments and possible fireworks.

Today is a fresh start and let’s see how things go but I think Ben knows he’s got a big challenge ahead of him probably starting from tonight as he starts to have chats with players.

Blimey Matt, that's a pretty quick turn around! Seriously though, lots of us probably felt a little disappointed, but chose to count to ten before posting

I'm sure that most fans will give Ben and his team their full support and hope he surprises us. Hopefully his academy links means he will be able to persuade Olly, George, etc to stay on. Good luck Ben.

Dave T wrote: Thu May 07, 2026 10:22 pm

The 5th Searcher wrote: Thu May 07, 2026 5:57 pm Although I’ve already said I’m not happy with this appointment I may be being a bit harsh and unfair to Ben but I was hoping for a higher level of quality manager.

We have to give Ben a fair chance to see how he gets on, what players he retains & new players he signs and then see how things go both pre season and the first 10 or so games of the season.

He’s always done very well with the academy teams in developing them and turning them into football playing teams that can win things and his record at Margate has been ok so fingers crossed he can turn things around for us and turn us into an on the deck footballing side again which can hopefully start to win things again.
Plus we are more likely to start seeing some wingers back at the club again which we haven’t seen for a while now apart from Evan that joined us back end of the season.

A big thing is going to be who he will bring in as his assistant and backroom team. If the names mentioned to me are right then I will await the comments and possible fireworks.

Today is a fresh start and let’s see how things go but I think Ben knows he’s got a big challenge ahead of him probably starting from tonight as he starts to have chats with players.

Blimey Matt, that's a pretty quick turn around! Seriously though, lots of us probably felt a little disappointed, but chose to count to ten before posting

I'm sure that most fans will give Ben and his team their full support and hope he surprises us. Hopefully his academy links means he will be able to persuade Olly, George, etc to stay on. Good luck Ben.

Bagdhad Billy wrote: Thu May 07, 2026 9:57 pm Margate fans expecting about 4-5 players to follow Ben to Dartford, Harry Hudson just announced he is leaving them they all think he is coming to the Darts.

Any good I wonder ? Risky with a lot of lower league players all coming in at once.

MickW wrote: Fri May 08, 2026 12:03 am A certain Mr Burnham didn't have much management background but he seemed to find a way.
Give the lad our support and who knows - we may even win a couple of cup games.

The 5th Searcher wrote: Fri May 08, 2026 9:11 am So Adam Flanagan makes a return to Dartford yet again but as part of Bens backroom team, not sure if he was the assistant manager or not.

Also joining the club as part of the backroom team is Elliot Leveson.

Have to wait and see now if it’s announced that their captain Harry Hudson is joining us as well, he’s also left them immediately.

Flans is one of the names I’d heard was possibly coming in as Bens assistant along with another former player / captain / assistant manager. Don’t know how true that one is though although I did spot him at PP for our last game against Cray Valley.

I never actually realised that Flans was already working with Ben at Margate so isn’t really much of a surprise in the end.

WillDfc42 wrote: Fri May 08, 2026 9:38 am

The 5th Searcher wrote: Fri May 08, 2026 9:11 am So Adam Flanagan makes a return to Dartford yet again but as part of Bens backroom team, not sure if he was the assistant manager or not.

Also joining the club as part of the backroom team is Elliot Leveson.

Have to wait and see now if it’s announced that their captain Harry Hudson is joining us as well, he’s also left them immediately.

Flans is one of the names I’d heard was possibly coming in as Bens assistant along with another former player / captain / assistant manager. Don’t know how true that one is though although I did spot him at PP for our last game against Cray Valley.

I never actually realised that Flans was already working with Ben at Margate so isn’t really much of a surprise in the end.

Who’s the former player?

Mark Sweet wrote: Fri May 08, 2026 11:08 am Makes complete sense for Ben to bring his staff across. Let's just hope Flanagan is a better assistant than he was manager..

I do expect a few players to follow also as is the norm at this level and there is some talent in that Margate squad, however wouldn't want too many as we surely can do better than the division below.

WillDfc42 wrote: Fri May 08, 2026 9:38 am

The 5th Searcher wrote: Fri May 08, 2026 9:11 am So Adam Flanagan makes a return to Dartford yet again but as part of Bens backroom team, not sure if he was the assistant manager or not.

Also joining the club as part of the backroom team is Elliot Leveson.

Have to wait and see now if it’s announced that their captain Harry Hudson is joining us as well, he’s also left them immediately.

Flans is one of the names I’d heard was possibly coming in as Bens assistant along with another former player / captain / assistant manager. Don’t know how true that one is though although I did spot him at PP for our last game against Cray Valley.

I never actually realised that Flans was already working with Ben at Margate so isn’t really much of a surprise in the end.

Who’s the former player?