Dartford manager Alan Dowson has stressed his commitment to the club’s academy players.

Dowson handed a debut to central defender George Whitefield, completing his journey through the age groups, as Darts ended the regular National South season with a 0-0 draw at Hampton last Saturday.

There were also three academy boys on the bench in Ollie Box, who was introduced as a late substitute, Jaydon Boulton and Ashton Day.

Marvin Herschel, who graduated last year, was the fourth outfield substitute for the visitors.

“George came in and was absolutely brilliant,” said Dowson.

“He played against Adrian Clifton, who’s an experienced footballer, and he did ever so well.

“Young Ollie played as well and I had three academy lads on the bench.

“I’m a massive believer in academies and youth.

“Our academy is fantastically run.

“I’m seeing all these black and white shirts and I’m thinking surely they’ve got to have a future at the club. They need to see a pathway.

“As long as I’m here I just want to make sure there’s a pathway for youngsters to have belief they can play for their hometown club.

“George has played for the under-7s, the under-8s, all the way up to where he is now.

“Yes, I gave him his debut because I think he’s a bloody good player but there’ll be a lot of coaches watching his progression who deserve a lot of credit.

“If you get the homegrown players it makes a hell of a difference because it’s their club and they care massively.

“I believe George can play, I believe Sam (Odaudu, academy graduate) is going to be the best left-back in the league next year, whatever league we’re in.

“The academy’s looking very bright - you can’t just ignore it.

“Some managers would rather spend £500 on a player than give a kid £50 who’s on your doorstep and just as good. I’ve never understood that.

“The only thing is they’ve got to be good enough.

“I wouldn’t just put them in for a gesture.

“Sam’s been a revelation. If he hadn’t had his injury he’d have been close to player-of-the-year.

“There’ll be all these kids looking at people like Sam and George thinking if they can be good enough, so can I.

“Managers panic and think I don’t want to play a kid because he could let us down, but so could a 35-year-old.

“If a kid’s doing well, play the kid.”