Dartford manager Ady Pennock says rebuilding the squad from scratch for Isthmian Premier has been his toughest task in management

Dartford boss Ady Pennock has admitted rebuilding his squad from scratch this summer has been his toughest task in management.

The former Gillingham, Forest Green, Barrow and Welling manager took over Dartford towards the end of last season with the club hurtling towards relegation.

Pennock was unable to save the Darts from dropping into the Isthmian Premier but he’s now got the chance to stamp his authority on the club and work with a new set of players. Only academy products Sam Odaudu, Olly Box and George Whitefield remain.

It’s a new situation for Pennock but a challenge that he’s already relishing.

“It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done,” revealed Pennock. “I’ve never been in a situation before when I’ve had to get a whole squad together.

“I’ve literally started from scratch as we’ve had only Sam, Olly and George from last season. I only saw Sam in one-and-a-half games last season so he’s like a new player to me as well but he’s come back fit and strong.

“It’s unusual for me to start from scratch as that is tough, and it’s been tough. You’ve got to get the balance of the budget, the budget is what it is so you’re spinning plates all the time but I’m very pleased at the moment.

“I wanted to keep eight or nine, I’ve said that before. One player from last year has stayed in the league we’re going into for more money elsewhere which is fair enough. You’ve got to be realistic, money [talks] and it’s a tough world out there.

“Whatever happened last season has happened but they were all good lads, no one wanted to get relegated but they were honest. They didn’t want to drop down into the Isthmian League, that was a key factor.

“If people had stayed here from last year, then there could have been a bit of a hangover or some