Charlie Sheringham has thanked Dartford for helping to keep his professional football career alive.

Loaned back to the Darts by AFC Bournemouth at the end of last season, Sheringham scored five goals in 10 games after more than a year out through injury.

The 25-year-old signed for AFC Wimbledon last month and his first appearance for the Dons was against Dartford at Princes Park on Saturday.

He said: “It was a funny occasion. I got a nice reception off the crowd when I came on. I had some good times here.

“I came back from my injury and needed to play football. Dartford
gave me that platform at the end of last season and I enjoyed my time here.”

Sheringham, who left the Darts to sign for Bournemouth in October 2011, made the loan move back when the Cherries were lying sixth in League 1.

His parent club won their next six games and stormed to automatic promotion, only missing out on the championship by a point.

Sheringham said: “I probably would have got a contract if they’d stayed in League 1 but they went on an unbelievable run and it’s a step up in the Championship.

“They just said to me ‘we’re going to be looking to bring in some strikers so you’re not really in our plans now.’".