Connor Dymond to take sole charge of Dartford Women after co-manager Martin McCarthy announces his departure from the first-team role

Martin McCarthy has quit Dartford Women after a disagreement over new-season objectives with his fellow co-manager.

The club admitted they were “saddened” by the decision after McCarthy and joint boss Connor Dymond had led the club to the fourth tier and National League football following promotion last season.

The announcement came a day after Dartford’s opening league game, which ended in a 1-1 draw against Dorking Wanderers, a match levelled with a last-gasp strike from goalkeeper Jade Charlton.

In a statement, Dartford said they were “saddened to announce that Dartford Women’s first team co-manager Martin McCarthy is leaving his role.

“During an internal women’s management meeting, Martin and co-manager Connor Dymond acknowledged they had different objectives for the team’s first season in the National League.

“In the circumstances, Martin decided it was best for the team and club to step away from his role.

“While this came as a surprise to the club, it fully supports Martin’s decision and wishes him the best of luck in whatever the future holds for him from a footballing perspective. Martin will continue to work for the club in a commercial capacity.

“Martin has now said his goodbyes to the players and Connor will take over as sole manager of the women’s team with immediate effect.

“Martin has played a major role during the most successful period of the team’s history. Cup wins and second-place finishes over a number of seasons, resulted in a league and cup double last season that has seen the team promoted to the National League for the first ever time. He helped create a new culture off the pitch, too.”

McCarthy said: “I didn’t have any plans to step down after our success last season, however it became clear in