Newcomer King Is Refusing To Hang Around At Dartford

Steve King doesn’t really do the bottom end of the National League South. He doesn’t like it, and, a few weeks after agreeing to take over at Dartford, he is making his feelings on it known with results.

A club heading in only one direction when he took over are suddenly one of the league’s form sides.

For a manager who specialises in either getting teams into play-offs finals or taking them up, you maybe would have thoughts unfamiliar territory could have put him off put him off.

The best bit of news for the club’s fans is that he sees the future carrying on like they have been lately.

You didn’t expect him to be content with life at that end of the table, did you?

“It’s about taking on what’s in front of you and knowing, around the corner, there could be something seriously exciting,” he told Vanarama.

“Not necessarily this season. I want us to get as high up the table as we can of course but I don’t know if we are going to be able to challenge for promotion. You have got to be realistic, and I’ll never just tell fans what they want to hear.

“But next season we know we want to challenge. It’s what I do. I get teams up there and I’m convinced that once we get this club moving it has a really bright future.

“Dartford are what I call a proper club. Do you know what I mean by that? The stadium, fantastic. Training ground, superb. Supporters - well even when things aren’t going well 1,000 of them turn up. What if the team was flying?

“This is a project, it’s a work in progress and it’s one that can work if things fall into place.

“I signed near enough a three year deal and that’s the kind of stability I crave. That’s what I need. Give me that, and I will give you a team to be proud of.”

Since taking over, the club haven’t looked back.

Up to 14th thanks to seven points from a possible nine, they go to Bath City on Saturday looking to climb into the top half.

“I want us to have a real identity as a club and slowly we will change the way we play to something the fans will like to watch,” he added.

“The players are buying into it. They are behind what we’re trying to do and they know how much I expect of them.

“We have to be realistic about this season but going forward I couldn’t be more excited about what could be around the corner.”

King’s record of navigating clubs to within touching distance of promotion - especially in this division - is unrivalled.

He has a record of ten top five finishes since starting out his managerial career age 32 - even if Lady Luck does seems to desert him in play-off finals.

“I just don’t seem to get the rub of the green in those matches!” cursed the former Lewes, Farnborough and Macclesfield manager.

“Last year at Welling was my sixth play-off final and we lost that unfairly too - I’ve got to be due a change of fortune at some time.

“But at the moment it’s the last thing on my mind. All I want to do is get this team away from the dogfight at the bottom and give the fans a side they can really get behind and genuine hope for the future.”

YOU CAN STILL BOOST THE MANARAMA CAMPAIGN!

Getting involved with the MANarama campaign as we try to combat Prostate Cancer could not be more straight forward.

Give… donate to Prostate Cancer via text

Go… then bring others into play by sharing on social media with #GiveAndGo.

Donate by texting “MAN £10”, “MAN £5” or “MAN £3” (depending on the amount you want to donate) to 70004 & help stop prostate cancer from being a killer. Texts costs £10, £5 or £3 plus network charge. Prostate Cancer UK receives 100% of your donation. Obtain bill payers permission. Customer care 0800 082 1616. Charity No 100554

For the latest van leasing deals head to Vanarama.

For the latest car leasing deals head to Motorama.