Dartford’s board of directors believe Tony Burman is still the right man to lead the club forward – despite a rotten run of results in the Vanarama Conference.

Burman’s side have lost nine of their last 10 league games and were thrashed 6-1 by Dover at Crabble on Saturday.

Darts are eight points from safety with 16 games left and there has been huge debate, on the terraces and online, about whether Burman should go.

The 56-year-old was backed by the board during a similar run last season and again when relegation was confirmed in April.

Reprieved in the summer, Dartford have fared no better in non-league’s top flight this time around but co-chairman Steve Irving has spoken out in support.

He said: "Tony is integral to what we’re doing going forward, both as a director and manager.

"Tony brought us out of the darkest days we’ve ever been in, to the top of the non-league game and, for that reason, Tony is the right man. We will do everything we can to support him.

"Tony is the greatest manager this club has had in their history, without doubt.

"Over the last 10 years, he has worked to get us into the position we are in now – both structurally within the club and in this division, the best the club’s ever been in.

"We are not going to be making snap decisions. If we do go down, it’s not the end of the world. I’d rather see the club playing in Conference South than throw money at it."

Asked why he thought Darts had struggled to such a degree in recent months, Mr Irving said: "It’s something we’ve discussed at length and we’re not really sure. We are finding it difficult playing in this division as a part-time club.

"If you look at the money that’s being thrown around elsewhere, falsely enhancing the value of players, it’s difficult for Tony to get players in.

"We have over-achieved in the last five or six years. Three promotions in five years was fantastic at the time but it’s put us ahead of where we planned to be with regard to the
finances.

"These are difficult times for everybody. We need to stick together and keep supporting Tony. That’s what we’ll continue to do."