Dartford boss Tony Burman believes there could be a four-way Kent battle for supremacy in Vanarama National League South next season.

Margate have joined the Darts, Ebbsfleet and Maidstone in the newly-named division after they won the Ryman League Premier Division play-off final on Sunday.

It’s almost 40 years since the four clubs played in the same division – the Southern League Premier Division of 1978/79 – and Burman knows it’s likely to be a season to remember.

He said: "With all the local derbies, it’s a little bit like the old days when the Kent sides were all in the same league.

"I was hoping it would happen in the Conference Premier but having said that, it creates a lot of interest.

"With the games being local, you’ll see big crowds and it’s going to be a strong league.

"The four clubs are all progressive in what they want to do, they’re all forward-thinking.

"A lot of clubs in this league want to win promotion to the Conference Premier and I’m sure the Kent clubs will all be up there.

"I watched the semi-final between Margate and Dulwich and was impressed by both sides. Margate have got some excellent players in their squad and it’s another Kent side – which makes the division even more difficult.

"It’s going to be an excellent league and a strong league.

"There are some good sides and not for one minute do I think anything’s going to be easy."

Read the full story in the Dartford Messenger.