Dartford manager Ady Pennock honoured to host Charlton Athletic in first pre-season friendly

Boss Ady Pennock is honoured to be hosting a Charlton side for Dartford’s first pre-season friendly on Saturday.

The League 1 club have travelled to Princes Park ahead of the previous three campaigns.

And they will return once more, led by Nathan Jones, as the Darts count down to life in Isthmian Premier.

Kick-off has been moved to 2pm due to England’s Euro 2024 quarter-final against Switzerland later in the day.

“It’s brilliant,” enthused Pennock, who has signed former Faversham and Hornchurch midfielder Tyler Christian-Law this week. “We’re honoured to have them.

“They’re a really lovely football club with good people. It’s a little bit early in pre-season
to play any game - for us and probably for Charlton, as well.

“But it’s an opportunity for our fans to see our new faces.

“Charlton have some great Academy players coming through. Hopefully, it will be a good day for everybody.

“I will be playing two teams - one in the first half, one in the second half. We will have trialists and youth-team lads.

“It’s a good opportunity for Nathan to look at his players.

“Their first team is coming down, which is fantastic.”

Pennock’s new-look squad returned to training last week and he said: “I will be inviting some of the Academy boys in because I want to look at the Academy players and give them an opportunity.

“There’s a good feel about the place, a good vibe. They’re all very hungry.

“I’ve been in an unusual place, bringing in a new squad - apart from Olly Box, George Whitefield and Sam Odaudu.

“Normally at a club, you get five or six in. It’s been tough but good.

“I don’t want to rush anything because the season doesn’t start until August 10.

“Obviously, I’m still looking and we have got some trialists coming in. I like some of the trialists, as well, and we have got games coming up to look at them.

“But I need to get the balance right - balance with the budget and balance with the squad.

“That’s why the Academy is especially important to me.”

Pennock also welcomed the addition of Gareth Morgan to the board as an associate director of PR and Communications.

“We want to show more fans what happens behind the scenes,” he said. “It’s a big bonus for the club.

“I know Gareth and his family very well. He’s a good addition.

“I think we’re connected with the supporters anyway, but we’re going to do a lot of stuff behind the scenes for the fans and that’s important.”