Returning Dartford striker Duane Ofori-Acheampong is out to repay the club for what they did for him the first time round.

Ofori-Acheampong has agreed to rejoin the Darts for the 2024/25 campaign as they aim to bounce back from National League South relegation.

The 31-year-old ended his first spell at Princes Park in June 2018 after he joined in 2016. He impressed in his maiden Dartford campaign despite the club missing out on National League South promotion in the play-offs.

What the club did for Ofori-Acheampong while he was sidelined due to a serious knee injury, with director of football Tony Burman then in charge, certainly hasn’t been forgotten.

Asked if returning to familiar surroundings had helped attract him back to Dartford, now managed by Ady Pennock, Ofori-Acheampong replied: “It played a massive part.

“It’s not too far from where I am in north London. I was here for two years and was well looked after.

"My first year was a great year on a personal level.

“The second year, I was kind of injured but the club looked after me.

“Sometimes, it can be hard in non-league football to get an operation and to get looked after properly. But the club were brilliant and, touch wood, I’ve not had too many problems since.

“They were great with me in that period. That was a big reason I’ve come back and I’ve got a great relationship with Tony, who’s still around.

“Tony stood down (in 2018) and then the new management came in so I ended up signing for Woking.

“But I enjoyed my time with the club previously and I’ve kept in contact with Tony.

“It’s a big club, a massive club. It should never be where it is now.

“I’m definitely excited to see what we can do this season.

“There’s still some new faces, although it’s the same club with some familiar faces and the same excellent fans.

"It was kind of a no-brainer.”

Ofori-Acheampong, formerly of Torquay, Hungerford and Sittingbourne, was drawn to Dartford’s potential - when he first signed from rivals Dover.

He said: “I remember playing against Dartford years ago when I was at Torquay.

“The set-up, facilities and everything - I didn’t know I was going to sign for them then - but I remember saying it was one of the nicest clubs I’d gone to.

“Having experienced playing for Dartford, with the atmosphere you can get there, it’s just great.

“We just missed out in the play-offs the two seasons I was there before. When I’ve been away, they have missed out in the play-offs again.

“But in my opinion, Dartford should be in National League South at least.

“It’s a challenge. There’s a few clubs - like us and Dover - that really shouldn’t be in that league.

“But we need to prove that rather than leave the name of the club to do that.”

Ofori-Acheampong was quickly reminded by new boss Pennock of a previous encounter the pair had enjoyed against one another.

“When I got talking to him, he reminded me he was at Forest Green when I scored against them for Torquay,” said Ofori-Acheampong. “He remembered me from then.

“I scored against them (for Torquay) last season, as well.

“The ex-Torquay captain, Asa Hall, knows Ady well and I spoke to him about what Ady is like.

“He seems like a really top guy and I look forward to working with him.

“I’ve done my homework and he has managed at higher levels. That’s always helpful.”

There’s plenty of big games for the Darts and Ofori-Acheampong to look forward to, including Kent derbies against Dover, Chatham and Folkestone.

Ofori-Acheampong noted: “There’s quite a few big teams in the Isthmian Premier.

“There’s definitely some sides that will want to go up this year - teams like Dulwich, Dover and ourselves - teams that are used to that level.

“It’s going to be a good test and they’re some good games to look forward to.”

While Ofori-Acheampong has his own personal targets, he will keep those to himself although, if the team enjoys success, he’s backing himself to play a big role.

He said: “I have got my personal targets but I want to do better than when I was last here in the first season.

“I feel like I’m a lot better, stronger, and mentally more experienced. My first season, I got player-of-the-year and I want to maintain that relationship with the fans.

“My personal target I want to keep to myself - but the main thing is to get out of the league.

“If we do that, I’m pretty sure I will play my part.”

Midfielder Jack Smith has departed Dartford for newly-promoted National League South side Enfield.