Tony Burman says Dartford’s three-year plan to get back in the National League depends on supporters backing the young players who can take them there.

Results have been disappointing in Vanarama National League South – Darts are 14th without a win in four games – but Burman is confident the young players in his squad will come good.

He said: "I realise that we’ve had a poor time over the last two years but we’re building again. We’ve expressed that we’ve got a three-year plan.

"I’ve been with players before and they’ve gone on to better things. They had the same criticism and they had to go through games where they played all right and lost.

"The team is growing up. They’ve taken a little bit of flak and they’ve got to get used to that. That’s football, it happens but we’ve got to get back to getting behind the side.

"They’ve not been as bad as what people have said, absolutely no way but certain breaks have not come good for them. They’ve got to learn their lessons. They’re a bit naive and we’ve had a spell where we’ve been getting punished but no team has smashed us.

"There’s nothing wrong with any of the young guys. Potentially, they are good players and we’ve got to give them that opportunity to shine."

Dartford captain Elliot Bradbrook made the same point in his programme notes on Saturday.

He said: "I can completely appreciate that the past couple of years has put a bit of a cloud over the club but this is not the same group of players. Losing a game or two does not mean that we are going to be relegated or that wholesale changes are needed.

"This is a new season and a new group, with many excellent young players who need support if they are to be successful."

Read the full story in the Dartford Messenger.