DARTFORD manager Tony Burman has been boosted after the Princes Park club agreed a new two-year sponsorship deal.

Burman is determined Dartford will challenge for a play-off place next year after a creditable top 10 finish in their debut season in the Conference South.

And the boss is the first to admit the financial backing provided by new sponsors Breeze Residential is crucial if the club, which regularly plays in front of four-figure crowds at Princes Park, is to reach its full potential by winning promotion to non-league’s top tier.

Burman explained: “The deal brings in finance to improve the club, which is obviously a good thing from my point of view as the manager.

“It is important to have that kind of backing and I feel very privileged Breeze Residential have decided to get involved with Dartford FC.

“In the current economic climate it is always difficult to get sponsors on board, so I’m obviously delighted we have managed to do so.

“We’ve got to improve next season on last year’s performance because we want to finish higher than 10th.

“The aim for us is to be in the play-offs and hopefully we can emulate what Ebbsfleet did and win promotion.”

Burman has already signed up most of the players from last year’s squad and is keen to retain striker Charlie Sheringham once he returns from holiday this weekend.

“I spoke to him before he went away,” the boss said.

“We would like him to stay because he has done very well here.

“There is no deadline for Charlie to sign and I’ll be talking to him again he gets back.”

As well as keeping the majority of last season’s side, Burman is also keen to add fresh faces before the start of the new campaign “I’m looking to bring in two or three others to improve us,” he said.

“Jon Wallis has already signed from Dover and that is a good addition.

“He is an experienced player in this league and brings five years of experience with him from Dover.

“Jon is a player we’ve been looking at for a while now and I’m delighted he has come in.

“At 25 he has the experience to control games at this level and is used to winning things.

“If Dartford can get five years out of him like Dover did, then I would be more than happy.”

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