Dartford caretaker manager Tony Burman says more signings possible on his watch following recruitment of midfielder Taylor Maloney from Farnborough
Published: 05:00, 25 January 2024
Tony Burman has not ruled out making more signings during his caretaker spell in charge of Dartford.
Following the sacking of Alan Dowson, Burman is back in the Princes Park hotseat while the club sift through prospective replacements.
He has already snapped up midfielder Taylor Maloney from Farnborough and will move again if required.
“If that’s what I feel we need to do, then I will,” said Burman. “When players come up, we might feel that we could do with them here.
“Especially if they’re local then I have to say I want people who feel for the area and the club. Maybe there should be some more of those guys here, that’s the way I see it.
“If we have to sign someone or let someone go, we can do that but I’m hoping to give everyone an opportunity who wants to be here and at the moment my impression is everyone does want to.
“But you never know what’s going to happen when the phone rings. If someone wants to take one of your players and can persuade them to get out of the contract then you think about it and if you think you can bring someone else in to cover that position or maybe better then I’ve got no problem in doing that. The players will have to understand it might not be at the helm.”
Former Charlton youngster Maloney enjoyed a successful 2022/23 campaign with Welling but never really fired after making the move to Farnborough in the close season. He’ll bring an extra dimension to Dartford’s midfield.
“Taylor is a midfield player who has experience at Charlton and other clubs,” explained Burman. “He’s been a professional, he’s got qualities in getting forward and going from box-to-box and he chips in with a few goals.
“We’ve been close to signing Taylor for the past 12 months and there was talk with the Harvey Bradbury deal when he went to Farnborough but it wasn’t to be at the time. Then it got put back on later.
“I’ve explained the situation to Taylor and that if a new manager is appointed then I’m not here but he wanted to come this way, he wanted to be here.
“He lives close, his family live in Dartford and that’s what I’d like to bring in, people who have a feeling for the area and the club. He’s wanted to come here for a while and I’m pleased that we’ve got him.”
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Matthew Panting