Dartford’s latest signing is relieved to be back in semi-professional football – but he didn’t even know the club were part-time until three weeks ago.

Mat Mitchel-King made his Darts debut in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Alfreton. The 29-year-old defender, who has spent the last four seasons playing in the Football League, left AFC Wimbledon in May to commit more time to his events and promotion business.

And he only considered a move to Dartford after playing against them in a pre-season friendly for local rivals Ebbsfleet.

Mitchel-King said: “I had a couple of options to stay in the League and a couple of options in the Conference to go full-time but I knew I wanted to go part-time to concentrate on my business outside football.

“I didn’t know Dartford were part-time, it was only when I played for Ebbsfleet here that Tony (Burman) rung me the next day. I said to him ‘I appreciate it but you guys are full-time, aren’t you?’ and he said ‘no, we’re part-time’.

“I didn’t even think about Dartford but I’ve enjoyed the games I’ve played with them and the lads are brilliant.”