Manager Ady Pennock believes he’s bringing the feel-good factor back to Dartford.

A new-look Darts squad starts life in Isthmian Premier at near-neighbours Cray Valley this Saturday.

While Pennock refuses to set any targets in what is sure to be a competitive division, the fresh start has undoubtedly given new optimism across the club.

“I did a Q&A with the supporters last Friday, it was a good evening and there was a good feel about the place,” said Pennock.

“We’ll only go places if we’re all together, that’s from top to bottom - supporters, chairman, directors, tea lady - everyone has to sing off the same hymn sheet and that’s what we’re doing at the moment. It’s so important that we do that.

“We’ve got to rebuild. The first team is the most important team at any football club in the world. If you get that wrong then everything else goes wrong, but if you get it right then everything else snowballs.

“It’s been a busy summer for me but I’ve really enjoyed it. It’s going to be tough as there are some very good teams in this league.

“Some people think it’s going to be a walkover and I’ve heard people say we’re going to be one of the favourites, but there’s some big hitters in there. I’m really looking forward to it as there’s a buzz about the place.

“I’m not someone who is going to shout from the rooftops and say we’re going to do this or that, we’re going to take it one game at a time.”

Pennock is pleased with his squad’s fitness - one key area that let Dartford down last term - but it’s the team spirit and the improvement in their performances that has impressed him most during pre-season.

“I’m really pleased with pre-season,” reflected the Dartford boss. “The biggest thing for me was just to gel the players with a brand-new squad.

“We’re getting better and better as we go on and it might take another two or three games into the season.

“Every game has been good, the players have worked their socks off. Yes, we’ve got a few niggles but they’re only little niggles. Overall it’s been a good pre-season, especially where you have to rebuild the whole squad.

“The youngsters have come through as well and had a good pre-season. With all the players I’ve signed, they’ve really worked hard and taken on board what we want to do.

“The changing room is excellent, there is a togetherness there already and that’s through the experienced players as well, looking after the younger ones.”

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Cray Valley lost just once last season on their way to winning Isthmian South East as well as taking League 1 Charlton to a replay in the FA Cup.

Pennock’s team then entertain Potters Bar at Princes Park on Tuesday night.

“It's going to be a tough one,” noted Pennock, of Cray Valley. “They’ve come up as champions and we were relegated so it’s going to be a tough game.

“I’m looking forward to it, I know their manager Steve McKimm well so it will be good to see him and his family after.”

Olly Box (groin) could feature but Samir Carruthers is a fortnight away from a return and Duane Ofori-Acheampong has also been ruled out with a knee issue picked up in the friendly against Sutton.

A number of Dartford’s younger players have impressed in pre-season but Pennock will keep a lid on expectations, even though he’s expecting plenty of admirers to watch his young guns in action.

“I think there will be a lot of scouts at our stadium this season,” he added. “It’s not just the academy but I’ve signed some good players with bags of potential.

“We’ve got a young squad mixed with some very good, experienced players. It does excite me, it really does, and if we turn up every single game then we’ll have an exciting season.

“But we have to remember what young players are like, they’ll have three or four good games on the spin, and then they’ll have a little dip - I know that. There’s some talented boys in our squad and that’s why I’m excited about it.

“The biggest thing for any footballer’s career is to go out and enjoy yourself. I’m very blessed. I was paid to be a player and I’m being paid still to be a manager, I’m in my fifties and still involved in the game.

“I say to everybody before the game to enjoy it, do all the things you can possibly do. But for the young ones, enjoy it as it’s a fantastic industry.”

Darts host Potters Bar on Tuesday (7.45pm).