Dartford manager Ady Pennock grateful for emotional send-off after stepping down before final game of the season

Ady Pennock admitted his Dartford farewell proved more emotional than he expected.

The Darts boss announced he was leaving the club after just over two years in charge on the eve of their final Isthmian Premier game at home to Cray Valley.

The former Gillingham and Welling United manager was given a rousing send-off by the Dartford supporters on Saturday.

“I did get quite emotional, really,” said Pennock. “I’m not saying I was bawling my eyes out.

“But it brought a lump in my throat and, I’ll be honest, it was lovely.

“My grandchildren loved it and I had my children there as well. We’ve had two good years at Dartford and my family were invested in the club, so they were sad as well.

“I don’t do social media or anything like that so I don’t really know how people take you but it was a nice day.”

Pennock left with his head held high, despite missing out on a play-off spot this season.

It doesn’t happen too many times during a manager’s career, with the sack often just around the corner.

“Everything was done amicably,” said Pennock. “I did it all right, like it should be done, but very rarely it does go that way.

“I was leaving Dartford. It was nice to say goodbye to everybody instead of going out through the back door.

“That’s why I wanted to do the game. I just wanted to say thank you to the players and the fans. I could easily have not done the game, but I wanted to do it.

“In management, you don’t normally say goodbye to everybody, but we had a good drink afterwards as well in the bar with the chairman and the directors. It was a good send-off.”

The only disappointment on the day for Pennock was that his team lost 3-2, although Valley’s last-minute winner wasn’t enough to save them from the drop.

With nothing to play