Ryan Hayes can now be considered one of Dartford’s all-time greats after making his 300th start for the club against Southport last weekend.

That’s the view of boss Tony Burman, who’s now one of just five people to have played more games than Hayes during the club’s 126-year history.

Hayes has made 415 appearances for Darts across almost 10 years and, with 83 goals, the 29-year-old is joint-eighth on their all-time list.

Those statistics, according to Burman, mean Hayes has earned his place in Dartford history alongside the likes of Steve Robinson, Les Burns and Burman – the man who brought him to the club in 2005.

Burman said: “Ryan’s done it consistently over the years. He’s risen with the club, the club’s been reborn and he’s been there. He came from the Kent League, from Slade Green and over the years he’s been such a good player for this club.

"He’s an excellent talent. He has his ups and downs – but’s he’s had more ups. On his day, he creates lots of chances. All the strikers we’ve had over the years would vouch for that."

Hayes has found something approaching his best form in recent weeks, having missed most of last season with a knee injury. His crosses continue to unpick defences and he’s scored twice in his last six games.

"The season didn’t start too well,” admitted Hayes. "I wasn’t playing well and was in and out of the team.

"One Monday night, we weren’t training and I went in to see Tony. He told me what he wanted me to do and I worked on my fitness a bit more. It’s been better since.

"He wanted me to get back to my best and I held my hands up because I knew I hadn’t been playing well.

"I was out for a long time and it’s taken a while to get my confidence back. I tried not to think about it (the knee) and once I’d done my work over the summer, I knew I was going to be OK."

Burman’s delighted to have his talisman back on song.

He said: "Ryan’s had a rough last 12 months.

"Everyone expects that every time Ryan gets the ball, that he’s going to produce a bit of magic and it doesn’t always happen.

"We know he’s good going forward, he’s creative and that defensively, he’s not the best – but you can’t have everything at the level we’re playing.

"He really has been one of the top players for this club."