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Striker Ade Yusuff has revealed he used to teach two of his new Dartford team-mates.
Yusuff linked up with Ady Pennock’s Isthmian Premier outfit on a dual-registration basis from National League South side Hornchurch last week.
The teacher is getting used to playing alongside defender Sam Odaudu and midfielder Olly Box, who both know Yusuff well off the pitch, as well as on it.
Yusuff, who also played alongside midfielder Tyler Christian-Law for the Urchins last term, admitted: “It’s mad!
"Obviously, I’m 30 now and they’re coming to either 20 or maybe 21.
“It’s funny to see them now that they are grown men, making their own way in the game, but it’s nice.
“I have played against Sam a couple of times already. He has really developed into a man and Olly is starting to progress in the men’s game, as well.
“Hopefully, they’ll both have really bright futures in the game.”
Yusuff’s move to Princes Park has also seen him reunite with assistant Roland Edge, the pair having worked together at Folkestone before Yusuff left Cheriton Road for Hornchurch in February 2023.
“I’m really pleased,” he said of the switch. “I know Edgy, who is the assistant at Dartford.
“I was looking to go and play some games because I’ve been injured since January. That curtailed my season last year when we won the league.
“I was looking at my options and I know Edgy. I worked with him for a long time at Folkestone and Dartford seemed like a good fit.
“They have a good mixture of youth - and a couple of boys that I’ve actually taught in their team - and some experienced players that I have played with and against before.”
On what Edge had told him about boss Pennock, Yusuff said: “He’s told me that he’s a really good guy. He’s easy to get along with.
“If I play to my strengths and I’m honest with my work-rate, I’m sure that we will have a really good relationship.
“That’s what I feel I am - a really honest player. I always give my all for whoever I play for.”
Yusuff made his Darts bow off the bench in last Tuesday’s 4-0 loss at Billericay and is one of a few new faces at the club, alongside Bromley loanee keeper David Aziaya - on a month-long deal - and ex-Dover defender Mike Olarewaju.
Yusuff again came on in the second half of last weekend’s controversial goalless home draw with Hendon.
Dartford earned a point in front of a 927-strong crowd despite referee Kane Dempster controversially sending off teenage midfielder Jeremiah Pinder in the early stages of the second period for a tackle on Fabio Sole. The Darts have successfully appealed against Pinder's scheduled suspension.
Yusuff, who has come close to joining the Darts on a couple of occasions previously, is looking forward to getting regular first-team minutes as he recovers from a long-term injury.
He said: “It’s a really big club.
"A couple of times I’ve been close to signing for them but, for whatever reason, it’s not happened.
“But I’m glad to have sorted something out now.”
While Yusuff helped Hornchurch win the Isthmian Premier title last campaign, he played little part in the second-half of the title triumph after he injured his anterior cruciate ligament in a 1-1 draw with Billericay in January.
“It’s been a long time,” he said.
“I did my ACL so the injury was a tough one to come back from. But I had my convictions to make sure that I would come back.
“I’ve worked incredibly hard but, also, I’ve had an incredible team around me of physios and specialists to help me get back fit. I’m really grateful to them.
“I’m really pleased that I’m starting to make my return now and looking forward to getting a consistent run of games.”
Yusuff is adamant he will be able to find his red-hot form in front of goal once again when fully fit as the mid-table Darts return to home league action against Wingate & Finchley on Saturday.
“Scoring goals is something that I’ll continue to do - I’m confident of that - but I’ll just let my football do the talking,” he stated.
“Once I’m fully fit, hopefully, the goals will flow.”
While Yusuff’s move to Dartford from Hornchurch is theoretically a short-term one, he isn’t giving a potential return to Daryl McMahon’s squad too much thought for now.
He said: “I’ve not really thought too much about that.
“My plan now for the short-term is to stay fit, get the minutes under my belt that I need and dust off any match-day cobwebs that I might have. I’m confident that - no matter what happens - I can go on to score goals, as I did before.
“Hopefully I can make a big impact - wherever I’m playing.”
The Darts were beaten 3-1 at Bromley in the Kent Senior Cup second round on Tuesday.
George Whitefield was their scorer while Yusuff started the game alongside Marc-Anthony Okoye, the ex-Bromley defender having signed for the club on a non-contract basis.
