DARTFORD caretaker boss Tony Burman has been handed the role on a full-time basis following an unsuccessful quest to find a new manager.

Burman, who took charge of first team affairs when Tommy Sampson resigned in January following a string of poor results, will also bring former player Steve Robinson back to the club as his assistant manager.

The Stonebridge Road-based outfit had narrowed its shortlist down to "the two best candidates" but neither were able to accept the role "due to outside factors", and the club decided to revert to "plan B".

It is believed the two candidates interviewed for the post were current Margate manager Chris Kinnear and former Fleet boss Andy Ford, now a coach at Stevenage, but the club declined to confirm names.

Kinnear is an up-and-coming manager who was also touted for the Welling job before Adrian Pennock took the role but he is known to be fully committed to Margate, particularly with the club currently experiencing financial difficulties.

In a statement Dartford's co-chairman Dave Skinner said: "This means Tony Burman will take up the position of football manager for the foreseeable future."

Burman, who is on the club's board of directors, had been expected to take charge for a season until a permanent successor could be found. But in an interview he told News Shopper he would be "very tempted" to guide the club through its first season at the new Princes Park ground in 2006/7.

Burman added: "I gave the offer some thought because I've got other work and family commitments but the club's in my blood, and in the end I felt I had to put its interests ahead of my own.

"We're aiming for a top half finish this year anything higher would be a bonus. I'm hoping to bring one or two new faces in but the core of the squad will remain from last season."

Burman's appointment was greeted with delight on the messageboards by the majority of Darts fans, with whom he has established a healthy rapport.

Gary Clark, editor of the unofficial Darts website Pure DFCweb', said: "Welcome back to Robbo Steve Robinson as part of the management team and good luck to Tony for the new season. I hope I speak for the majority of fans when I wish them the best and offer our full support."

Dartford Council deputy leader Jeremy Kite, who was extensively involved in the planning application for the new stadium, added: "I'm so pleased Tony has decided to stay on as manager.

"He's built up a great relationship with the fans. He's asked them in the past to make more noise but he's also not afraid to tell them to shut up I think they respect that.

"But perhaps more importantly Tony has also been a real driving force behind the new stadium project."

Burman is confident he will have Tostao Kwashi, who is currently in Vietnam coaching schoolchildren, back for the start of the season as the striker is central to his plans.

Dartford's pre-season friendlies start with the trip to Tilbury on July 12 and finish with the visit to near-neighbours Erith and Belvedere, from whom Robinson joins them, on August 9.