Dartford boss Alan Dowson names Christian Jolley as his assistant manager

Dartford boss Alan Dowson has confirmed Christian Jolley will be his new assistant at Princes Park.

The former AFC Wimbledon and Newport striker has previously played under Dowson at Kingstonian, Hampton and Woking.

Injury curtailed the 34-year-old’s playing career early but he remained in the game, working as a physio and part of the coaching staff with Dowson at Woking.

He’s clearly made a big impression and Dowson believes Jolley will be a popular figure at Dartford.

“Christian is a great lad,” said Dowson. “I had him from park football, ended up selling him to AFC Wimbledon and he scored at Wembley for Newport.

“He’s been with me for the last five years as a player, then a physio and an assistant.

“He knows my jokes and banter! He’s a great kid to have around. He’s a loveable bloke to have around, the lads will love him, they’ll love his enthusiasm and drive. People around the club will love him.

“He thinks he’d have taken me to the cleaners, but I’d have put him in row Z as you could do it in those days!”

Former England C international Jolley scored for Newport in the 2013 play-off final against Wrexham to help them gain promotion to the Football League.

He previously played in the county for Margate.

Jolley has already been using his expertise in fitness to good effect.

Dowson added: “It might be a good cop, bad cop set-up.

“He’s already talked to players and given them fitness programmes so they come back fit.

“He’s been ringing them behind my back and saying ‘get yourself right and the manager does fancy you’ because some of them want that security.

“He’ll probably be the one who does that and I’ll do the other side of things.”

Dowson is expected to confirm the rest of his backroom staff later this week.