Dartford F.C.

Early history

Dartford Football Club was formed in 1888 by members of the Dartford Working Men's Club, initially playing only friendlies. The club soon was entering cup competitions, reaching the final of the Kent Senior Cup in 1894. Following this, Dartford were founder members of the Kent League for the 1894–95 season, and entered the FA Cup for the first time the season after. Two seasons later, Dartford became founder members of the Southern League Division Two, winning the Championship at the first attempt. They took part in the 1898–99 Thames & Medway League, however they finished bottom. The club moved between the Southern and Kent Leagues several times over the following seasons, dropping to the West Kent League in the 1900s, following financial difficulties. Around the same time the club found its first permanent home ground, Summers Meadow in Lowfield Street, obtained on a long lease. In 1908–09 Dartford won the West Kent League and Cup 'double' and rejoined the Kent League where they remained until the outbreak of the First World War. In 1913 Dartford undertook a short tour of Norway culminating in a 6–1 win over a Norway XI.

Post-1918

Darts continued their association with the Kent League, winning the league cup in 1923–24, before switching to the Southern League in time for the 1926–27 season. At the start of the 1930s the Dartford Board appointed the successful Kettering Town manager, Bill Collier, as manager. The Scot continued his pattern of…

Dartford, historically, are the most successful club that played in the National League South followed by rivals Bath City. League

Southern League / National League South (level 6) Champions: 1983–84 Play-off winners: 2012 Isthmian League Premier (level 7) Champions: 2009–10 Southern League Division One (level 7) Champions: 1980–81 Isthmian League Division One North (level 8) Champions: 2007–08 Southern League Division Two Champions: 1896–97 Southern League Champions: 1930–31, 1931–32 Southern League Champions: 1973–74 Cup

FA Trophy Runners-up: 1973–74 Southern League Cup Winners: 1977, 1988, 1989 Kent Senior Cup Winners (13): 1930–31, 1931–32, 1932–33, 1934–35, 1946–47, 1967–70, 1972–73, 1986–87, 1987–88, 2010–11, 2015–16, 2019–20, 2021–22 Kent Senior Trophy Winners: 1995–96 Kent League Cup Winners: 1924–25 Southern League Championship Match Winners: 1983–84, 1987–88, 1988–89 Inter-League Challenge Match Winners: 1973–74