Dartford FC v Hereford United
Blue Square Premier
Saturday 15th September 2012 KO 3.00 pm.
Princes Park
Darenth Road
Dartford
Kent
DA1 1RT
Phone 01322 299990
Dartford are old foes from decades ago in The Southern League days of the 1960's. They started like in 1888 as members of Dartford Working Man's Club decided to form a football team and gradually progressed through the Kent League to become founder members of the Southern League in 1896/97. The usual ups and downs followed until a brief but ultimately destructive association with ground sharing Maidstone United led to them having to sell their ground in 1992 to clear debts. The club withdrew from the Southern League four games into the 1992/93 season.
By the November a phoenix club had been formed and, when managed by former player Tony Burman, they once again joined the Kent League. Steady progress took them to the Doc Martin's and eventually, in 2006/7 they moved to their present home at Princes Park with the help of funding from Dartford Borough Council. Burman’s return to the manager’s role following a short absence kick-started the club and by 2010/11 they were competing in the Conference South. Promotion to the Blue Square Premier came at the end of 2011/12 when they defeated Welling in the play-off final.
Princes Park has a capacity of 4097 with 642 seated. Visiting fans are accommodated in the covered "Car Park End" terrace with a small number of seats (24?) made available in the main stand.
ADMISSION – Adults £15, Over 65's and U18's £8 and U12's £3.
HUISA – Departs from Radford's at 8.30 am with a fare of £22 (non-members £24). Seats can be booked through The Club office (08442 761939).
TRAIN – Dartford is served by trains from London Charing Cross and London Bridge. Dartford station is a little over a mile (15/20 minutes walk) from the ground. There are buses (to Bluewater Shopping Centre) that pass Princes Park or a taxi should cost a fiver (ish).
BY CAR – This is an M25 job so you have a choice of M40 and the M25 northerly route or M4 and the southerly M25 route (appears to be about 10 miles further).
Using the northerly clockwise route, leave the M25 at J1B (having paid your £1.50 at the Dartford Crossing) and take the left-hand slip road for the A225 (sign Dartford). At the roundabout at the end of the slip road above the motorway turn right the Esso garage onto the A225 towards Dartford. Go straight across the next roundabout, passing a BP garage on the right. At the next set of traffic lights turn left into Darenth Road and then take the second left into Grassbanks for the stadium. (175 miles)
The southerly anti-clockwise route will require you to leave the M25 at J2 (sign A2, Dartford A225). At the roundabout below the roundabout take the Dartford A225 exit. At the next roundabout take the 1st exit by the Esso garage onto the A225 towards Dartford. Go straight across the next roundabout, passing a BP garage on the right. At the next set of traffic lights turn left into Darenth Road and then take the second left into Grassbanks for the stadium. (185 miles) SAT NAV - DA1 1RT
PARKING – There is a free 300-space car park at the ground with additional parking available at the nearby Orchards Shopping Centre (£2?).
ALEHOUSES - There are two good-sized bars at the stadium, which also have SKY television. However it remains to be seen after Dartford's promotion, whether away supporters will continue to be allowed entry. The nearest pub to the ground is the Ivy Leaf on Darenth Road, which is about a five-minute walk away (from the stadium entrance turn right along Darenth Road, cross over the main road at the traffic lights and the pub is further up Darenth Road on the right). A better bet may be the Malt Shovel, which is further along Darenth Road on the left. This pub, which is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide, also does food. Otherwise Dartford Town Centre is around a 15-minute walk away, where there are plenty of pubs to be found. Ones of note are the CAMRA Good Beer Guide listed Wat Tyler on the High Street, the Paper Moon Wetherspoons outlet opposite and another Wetherspoons outlet called the Flying Boat on Spital Street. (Taken from footballgroundguide.com). Meanwhile, I have heard that The Royal Oak on Spital Street serves the full range of well-kept Shepherds Neame (Spitfire) products.
CHIPS – Princes Fish Bar as you approach on the A225 just before the BP garage roundabout. Royal Fish Bar on East Hill near The Malt Shovel.
SORT IT OUT ROSIE.