Former Dartford manager Steve King takes over as boss of National League North Gloucester City

Former Dartford boss Steve King is back in football management.

King has been out of the game since leaving Dartford at the end of last season following their National League South play-off eliminator exit to Chippenham.

He's been appointed manager of National League North Gloucester City, who parted company with their previous boss Lee Mansell earlier this week.

Gloucester co-chairman Alex Petheram said: "I’m delighted that Steven and his coaching team have accepted our offer to join Gloucester City AFC. Steven’s CV is very impressive, he’s a serial winner and plays exciting football.

"He’s one of, if not the most, successful managers in the National League pyramid.

"We’re delighted he’s chosen Gloucester and we look forward to working with him going forward.”

King reached the National League South play-offs twice while at Dartford. They lost the 2020 final at Weymouth on penalties.

King originally joined Dartford in October 2019, with the club 17th after 12 games of the National League South season, two points clear of the relegation zone. He led an impressive upturn in form which saw the Darts sitting sixth when the season was halted due to Covid. The play-off places and promotion were decided on points per game with the Darts winning against Slough and Havant before missing out to Weymouth.

Dartford were sitting second in the 2020/21 season when clubs voted to curtail the season in February 2021 due to Covid. Then, last term, Dartford enjoyed a great start to the campaign with seven wins and a draw in their first eight games. But they ended up in fourth, which meant an extra play-off match and they were knocked out by Chippenham on spot-kicks.

Despite still having two years to run on his contract, he was relieved of