TONY Burman believes his side can compete with the best in the Conference South this season.

The Ryman Premier champions kick-off the new campaign on August 14 at home to Havant & Waterlooville and the Darts boss believes there is nothing to fear after making the step up.

Burman said: “You never know for sure what any season is going to be like until it starts but we are really looking forward to it.

“We are the new kids on the block and we won’t be afraid of what lies ahead.

“There is a lot of belief here but I haven’t set any specific targets for the side.

“We know we are going into a tougher league which has some very good and experienced players in it but we think we are going to be a good side.

“There are differences in every division you go into and we will be coming up some much bigger sides.

“It is an exciting challenge for everyone at the club and one we welcome.”

Dartford boosted their ranks this week by signing versatile defender Tom Bonner after the 22-year-old impressed during a pre-season trial.

Burman said: “Tom has come in after we have already signed three other defenders, so he is obviously someone I felt had something to offer us.

“He has done really well since he arrived here and the player wanted us to sign him.

“Tom has proven to us he could be a useful addition and gives us options because he can play across the back four.

“We are very happy with the deal and so is he.”

The Darts boss also hinted Bonner might not necessarily be the last new signing at Princes Park.

“We’ve got a couple of players suspended for the early stages of the season and it is a hectic start,” added Burman.

“There are six games in the first couple of weeks and we need a big squad.”

Dartford continued their pre-season campaign with a 2-2 draw against League One outfit Leyton Orient last night and the boss was pleased with the exercise.

He said: “It was another good workout for the players.

“It means a lot of them got another 60-70 minutes under their belts and the ones who didn’t last night will get the same time against Aveley tomorrow.

“That will mean virtually everyone in the squad will have around 400 minutes in pre-season, which is what we wanted.”