Dartford manager Alan Dowson reshaping squad and says players who show hunger likely to get opportunity to impress in National League South next season

Dartford manager Alan Dowson is excited by the progress he’s already made in reshaping his squad.

The Darts have signed striker Harvey Bradbury on a permanent basis as well as landing forward Lewis Manor from Concord.

Tommy Block is back to full fitness after injury ruined the second half of his campaign while five more players from this season’s squad are already on board.

“There’s people who want to prove stuff in there and that’s fantastic,” said Dowson.

“I like to give an opportunity to hungry players.

“I’ve got two lads who came through the academy signed up, a lad from Concord who wants to prove himself, Harvey is hungry, Jordan Wynter wanted to stay and Tommy Block wants to play.”

Bradbury scored six goals for Dartford at the end of the campaign after arriving on loan from Dorchester. He turned down interest elsewhere to work with Dowson again.

“Harvey had a lot of interest from a lot of clubs,” said Dowson. “I went down to see him, I’ve been there a couple of times to persuade him to sign for us.

“I think it will be one of the best bits of business I do all summer. I’ve worked with him before, he went off the boil a bit but he’s hungry and fit now. He’s quick, strong, tall and good in both boxes.

“When he signed, I said let’s have a pint to celebrate and he went to get them for a change. So, he stands up and gets them and the lady behind the bar wouldn’t serve him as she thought he was too young - he’s 24! With a beard like that I couldn’t believe it.

“So I had to go and get them and he had a coke and I still had my pint!”

Manor came to Dartford’s attention at the end of last season, scoring against them and also netting when Dowson watched Concord on a scouting mission.

He can play in defence if required but