If Dartford can do it....

[AndyKirkup]

Dartford's recent Blue Square South Playoff Final success lead to me reading a bit about them on Wikipedia earlier.

Assuming it is accurate - the below certainly rang some bells:

"However, Maidstone United went bankrupt and had to resign from the league in August 1992, most of their cash being taken up to gain the eagerly-sought Football League place. Ground improvements, which Maidstone United has paid for, were sold to Dartford at a cost (around £500,000), which pushed Darts' debts beyond manageable proportions. Watling Street was sold to pay off creditors and Dartford withdrew from the Southern League four games into the 1992–93 season. [1]

The club's Supporters' Association, around 400 strong, came to the rescue. A private limited liability company was incorporated in November 1992 to manage affairs which meant, primarily, keeping the Youth team operating, an action which was rewarded when the Youth team beat Maidstone Invicta (the club rising out of the ashes of the old United Club) in the final of the John Ullman cup by 2–0 at Gravesend & Northfleet before a gate of 562. The contributing existence of the Youth team enabled Dartford to maintain both its Senior status and Full Membership of the Football Association. In February 1993 former player Tony Burman was appointed Manager and with the club being offered a ground-share arrangement by Cray Wanderers Dartford were able to make a successful application for membership of the Kent League. Spurred on by an average attendance of well over 300 Dartford finished that first season in sixth position."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dartford_F.C.

I've noticed lots of other things about Dartford that I like as well (apart from the stadium) - strong focus on youth development 3G pitch, facilities in use almost every night etc. etc.

[Pigman]

We can but dream......... one day, one day (sigh):

[Olly]

We can but dream......... one day, one day (sigh):

I've always thought its a fantastic little stadium, the sort of place we and pretty much every non league can only dream of having though, as most other non league grounds built in the last decade seem to be like Corby's, one stand and a small terrace, not a complete and enclosed ground like Dartford's.

[Three of Diamonds]

A different angle. Looks a tidy ground, if a little "top heavy". Owned by the local council by the looks of it.

[STAGMAN]

Hopefully this is prophetic

[The Godfather]

I've been to that ground, and on the pitch. It's a top notch setup, and the playing surface is like a League Team's pitch.

[BartonRaz]

I was really keen to go to the play-off final on Sunday but couldn't get tickets. I've wanted to go there for a while.

Nuneaton also won promotion from BSN, as a newly reformed club they've had 3 promotions in 4 seasons.

[SouthRushdenJFC]

I've had a squint at Dartford's website and they appear to have successfully done what we are doing. Including linking in with Dartford Invicta youth.