Dartford manager Alan Dowson feels team miss influential former captain Tom Bonner after losing 2-1 to Slough Town in National League South

Dartford manager Alan Dowson has conceded he didn’t realise just how much his side were going to miss Tom Bonner.

The inspirational centre-back retired in the summer and the Darts boss believes they’ve missed his influence on and off the pitch.

Speaking after losing at home to National League South bottom side Slough on Tuesday night, Dowson said: “I didn’t realise how big Bonner was going to be a miss, a leader of men, it’s been a massive thing in the club and more than I thought it would be.

“I knew he had a big influence in the changing room and (now) I realise how big it was because we haven’t got anyone like him, the same as Connor Essam in a certain way.

“When I lost my players in the summer, I thought we’d be alright.

“I could die for a Tom Bonner. If I could sign him or get him out there just to play a couple of games and show what it’s like to play for Dartford, that’s what I need.

“People should care about playing for Dartford, like I care being the manager. I keep bringing Bonner up but I haven’t got him so it’s tough luck on me.

“Bonner died for the club, he cared for the club, it was his passion, his life, everything. At the minute apart from young Sam (Odaudu) we haven’t got anybody in the team who has that feeling that he’s got.

“Players care in non-league football but he’s a special bloke. I just think he carried the team in the last couple of years to be honest and I found that out quite early doors.

“Bonner wouldn’t accept that in the changing room, everybody else accepts it so that’s where we are.”

Dowson was left deflated by his team’s performance against Slough.

The visitors showed more desire than Dartford, and the manager felt they went away from the gameplan and ended up looking like a team of