Luke Coulson admits he’s disappointed to be leaving Dartford on a sour note - but denied their National League South relegation influenced his departure.

Exiting captain Coulson will remain at Step 2 for the 2024/25 campaign after joining Weston-super-Mare this week.

The Weston-born midfielder confirmed he opted to end his two-year Princes Park stay due to personal reasons, rather than footballing ones.

Having been knocked out on penalties in the Play-off Semi-Final against St Albans in May 2023 before being relegated this year, Coulson reflected: “We had the disappointment in the first year of getting to the Play-off Semi-Final and losing on penalties.

“The next season, we had high hopes of emulating that kind of success and that didn’t happen.

“Yes, we had three managers but leaving the club like that (after relegation) is a hard pill to swallow. I’ve had some nice messages from fans.

“Some might think I’m jumping ship - that’s definitely not the case - but I guess that’s life.”

Coulson decided to leave Dartford long before their relegation was confirmed.

He explained: “I made the decision in January, just because I was looking to relocate closer to my family for personal reasons.

“No matter how the season ended - and, unfortunately it ended how it ended - that was always the case (he was going to move). That’s just the way it went.”

The Darts never really recovered from the departures of captain Tom Bonner and fellow centre-back Connor Essam last summer during their 2023/24 campaign.

“A lot of experienced players - Dartford legends - left,” said 30-year-old Coulson.

“We tried to freshen it up and that didn’t work. But I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my time at Dartford.

“I met some great people, it’s a great club and I’m always going to be grateful to the fans.”

Coulson doesn’t think it will be long before Dartford return to National League South football under boss Ady Pennock.

He said: “It’s easy for me to say ‘The club will be fine, they will bounce back and they’re too big for the league below’ because that’s all true. I wish them all the best under Ady Pennock.

“I had a really open and honest conversation with Ady at the end of the season. He was gutted I’m leaving, I’m gutted to be leaving.

“But I will definitely be keeping in contact with him and I wish them all the best.”

Coulson spent 18 months at Ebbsfleet and made more than 100 club appearances for Bromley, playing some of the best football of his career, prior to his time with the Darts.

Asked if he had made his mark on the Kent non-league football scene, he replied: “That’s the way it feels.

“I had a great time at Ebbsfleet. We made the play-offs and lost to Tranmere. Then, I left for financial reasons.

“When playing for Bromley, I was probably playing my best football.

“There’s going to be lots of big changes for me this summer, lots to look forward to, but lots to reflect on and be grateful for, as well.

“There’s a lot of change but that’s exciting.”

With Coulson finalising his summer switch to the west of the country, he missed out on the chance to see Andy Woodman’s Bromley secure promotion to the Football League for the first time after they beat Solihull Moors on penalties in the National League Play-off Final on Sunday following a 2-2 draw.

“Unfortunately I couldn’t be at Wembley,” he said. “I was moving and signing for Weston, which I had to do.

“But I FaceTimed (Bromley players) Michael Cheek and Byron Webster on the morning of the game.

“I’m close to a few of the boys. There’s coaches who deserve to be in League 2. They thoroughly deserve to be there.”

Coulson will play under Scott Bartlett at Weston-super-Mare for 2024/25.

While Coulson is relocating to Somerset as part of the move, he still intends to utilise his friendship with Tonbridge skipper and Bromley under-17s head coach Scott Wagstaff - someone he knows well from coaching together in Bromley’s youth section - to help make their lengthy away trips more manageable.

“I’m really delighted and looking forward to it,” he said. “I just need to get there and all moved in.

“It’s a lot of away days - but that just allows me the chance to stay at Scotty’s house!”