Dartford manager Alan Dowson on former captain Tom Bonner signing for National League South Havant & Waterlooville - and nearly playing for the Darts again

Dartford manager Alan Dowson insisted he wishes former captain Tom Bonner well at National League South rivals Havant.

The 35-year-old centre-back announced his retirement in the summer but made his Havant debut under former Dartford boss Steve King against Hampton last weekend.

Bonner had actually signed registration forms with Dartford last month as injuries were decimating Dowson’s squad at Princes Park.

But a long-term return to Dartford was never on the cards due to Bonner’s work schedule which means he can’t play every week.

Havant’s next league game is at Dartford on October 21 but it’s a match Bonner is expected to miss due to work commitments.

“I wish him well because of the servant he’s been at the club,” stated Dowson.

“I don’t know how it’s going to work as he goes away next week for a couple of weeks. We couldn’t work like that when it’s on-off, on-off.

“He got an unbelievable offer that he didn’t think he could turn down and he’s got to look after his family and do what he has to do.

“If we’d lost on Saturday everyone would have said we needed him but could I have put him in and then taken him out, then put him back in after he’s back from his two weeks away? No, that’s not for me, I can’t work like that.

“The bottom line is I wish him well and I think people are making a big thing out of not much.

“He's gone to play for his old manager, he knows Kingy and vice-versa. There’s full-time football there so maybe he can do some days. I think good luck to the lad and I hope he does well.

“Tom Bonner was excellent for me last season but I didn’t think it would be good for me, him or anybody to have him play, go away for a couple of weeks, come back and play, go away again. That’s the way we look at it.”

Bonner