New Dartford manager Ady Pennock calls for top-to-bottom positivity at Princes Park as he begins National League South survival mission

Dartford manager Ady Pennock wants a positive approach from top to bottom as they prepare for “11 cup finals”.

The Darts are nervously sitting four points above the National League South relegation zone and have turned to former Gillingham and Welling boss Pennock to guide them to safety.

Pennock is no stranger to relegation battles having successfully steered the Gills and Barrow to safety previously. He’s certainly more than capable of reinvigorating a Dartford side who have won just once since Boxing Day.

“I’m very excited,” beamed Pennock, whose first game in charge last Saturday at home to Worthing was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch.

“The opportunity came up here, the infrastructure is fantastic and after meeting the co-chairman and directors for the first time, it just felt right.

“Whatever has happened in the past is gone, I’ve got 11 games to turn it around and I’m really looking forward to it. Of course, it’s going to be tough but I can’t wait.

“The biggest thing for me is everyone has to be positive, it’s about these 11 games and we need everyone on board, especially the fans, but more importantly for me the players have got to jump on board. We’ve got 11 cup finals.

“I’m already loving the challenge. I’ve always said a football club is like a marriage, no one knows what goes on behind closed doors - and this club is run properly from top to bottom. They’re good people here and we need to turn it around as quickly as we can.”

With the Darts taking their time to replace former boss Alan Dowson, Pennock has certainly had longer than normal to do his homework.

He’s seen plenty of the team under caretaker boss Tony Burman so is already up to speed.

“I’ve watched about five or six games, I didn’t go to Bath or