Dartford kick off their league campaign at Princes Park on Saturday and manager Tony Burman is gunning for promotion.

The Darts narrowly missed out on the Ryman League, Premier Division play-offs last season and they begin their quest this time round at home to Horsham.

Burman said: "Pre-season has gone to plan and we want to get down to business now.

"My aim is to get this team promoted and I can say that with confidence because this team is stronger now.

"It’s the strongest squad we’ve had for many years."

The Darts finished off their pre-season programme with a 1-0 win over Folkestone on Saturday courtesy of a goal from Ryan Hayes.

"It wasn’t the best of games," admitted Burman. "I think the heat might have taken its toll. We just want the season to start now.

"You can only do so much in pre-season and from Saturday we’ll be playing for points and that’s when the nitty-gritty starts.

"People want to win and we certainly have some winners."

Burman’s squad will be tested early on as injuries keep Jay May (groin) and Lee Noble (toe) out of the first few weeks of the season.

Allan Tait has taken part in the last three pre-season matches, after recovering from an early pre-season injury, but he may have to start on the bench against Horsham.

Two players recovering from long-term injuries, John Beales and Danny Barber, have been signed up by Burman for the new season.

"They’ve done well and we’re delighted," said Burman.

"They’ve both still got a little while to go and they’ve worked so hard over the summer."

Defender John Guest, meanwhile, has been loaned out to Ashford because Burman is unable to guarantee him fisrst- team football.

The Darts boss said: "His fitness at the back end of last season was questionable. He has lost weight in the summer and trained well but he wouldn’t have made the starting line-up.

"I feel that if he sat on the bench here it would have undone all that good work.

"He can go to Ashford. They’ve got about six games in four weeks and that will do him the world of good."