George Whitefield was 16 when he reached a pivotal moment in his development that transformed his Dartford career.
A rising star and leader in the Darts Academy Youth teams from Under-7s onwards, he had found it more difficult to stand-out in the early months of Post-16 Academy life.
But after a short Christmas break, he returned refocussed – with ‘extra-time’ behind the scenes key to propelling him into future first-team contention.
Following another man-of-the-match performance against Horsham last Saturday that also saw him celebrate a goal – and his 20th birthday – it proved be the turning point for the young defender.
Darts Academy Manager Ben Greenhalgh recalled: “George was in a really good year group and while half went into the year above, George was part of those that stayed in the first year Yellows.
“He was playing well, but we try to install the need for these players to sometimes develop themselves, too.
“He came back in January 2022 like a new player. We saw him out on the astro almost every day after every session, just running and working hard. Sometimes on his own, sometimes with a few others. He was out there in all weather – rain, sleet and freezing cold temperatures.
“We would normally focus on the fitness aspects on a Monday, but he was doing it on a Monday afterwards, and a Tuesday after the session, and a Thursday on the spare day, and on a Friday, and we were seeing how much work he was putting in.
“It was a massive turning point for him. He was suddenly covering every blade of grass during matches as a centre midfielder.
“We moved him into the Reds soon after, and he was absolutely everywhere for them, more as a CDM and sort of running absolutely everywhere and winning the ball. He was showing a lot of quality on the ball, but also just being more physical.
“He never looked back.”
George has become one of the Academy’s major success stories, having been with the club since he was an Under-7. He’s the first player to have played for every Academy age-group and make it through into the first team.
However, recent Academy trials saw many more of the pre-16 Academy Youth players sign up to stay within the club’s main Academy structure, with recent Academy cup wins and manager Ady Pennock’s faith in youth, helping to create a more attainable pathway.
George’s journey saw him join Dartford at Under-7 level, while playing for local team Eltham Lions run by his dad Jim, at the same time.
George recalled: “I went to the first Dartford trial and there must have been around 150 other boys. Then, there was a second trial and I was one of only two or so to make it through.
“My dad received an email and told me I had been selected. I was buzzing. But at the time I, didn’t really know too much about what was going on. I knew I played for Dartford and was quite excited, but I didn’t know much about the club or what it all meant.”
Amusingly, dad Jim remembered the situation a little differently.
He said: “We got an email to say George had got through, but we were on holiday for two weeks and I missed it. We then got a second email which I opened that basically said ‘we take it you aren’t interested in coming to the club’ and that they would take his name off the system if this was the case.
“I realised I had missed the first one and I was like ‘no, no, no!’ I sent an email straight back and sorted it out, but you could say he was very close to not even playing for Dartford at all, all those years ago!”
George worked his way through the age-groups, with his tenacity and strength helping him stand out, even then.
George said: “I was pretty fearless. I made a lot of tackles and was quite progressive. And I would put my body on the line, which in those early years gave me a good starting point.”
He was around 12 when his pathway to the first team became more apparent.
He continued: “I had coaches telling me that if I kept working hard, one day I might get to play for the first team in the stadium.
“I remember asking my dad how much the players were on and finding out about the semi pro and pro structure.”
Jim remembers George’s early years at Dartford, similarly.
“He was always one of the top few players in the Academy,” he said. “He was captain for six or seven years of that and always put in 100 per cent.
“I would never push him, he had a natural talent, but it was down to him at the end of the day if he really wanted to do it. I could tell he wanted it.
“He was always playing football in the garden from a young age with his brother and football ran a bit in the family. My granddad played in the Army against the likes of Charlton and me and my dad played at Kent level.
“I’ve always said George’s brother has better technical ability, but George always had that drive to get better.
“When playing for my team, we’d always rotate everyone, but I’d often have parents asking me why I was taking George off and we should leave him on the pitch.”
After working his way through the Academy Youth groups, George joined the main Dartford Academy at 16 and after putting in the extra hours, soon made a major impact.
After a number of unused substitute appearances, he got his first 90 minutes against Hampton & Richmond in April ’23.
Jim continued: “He’d had a bit of a dip when he joined the Academy, but came back after Christmas really determined and pushing on.
“He got his full debut around a year later when he was 18 and he played the whole game at centre back. He played really well. He crunched into a couple of tackles, and I just thought, ‘yeah, he’s out there to win and show what he’s made of.’
“It was probably my proudest moment watching him. He made one tackle and all of their players ran towards him, but all the Dartford players ran over and sort of protected him, which was lovely to see.”
George added: “I remember being really nervous, but proud to get the start and help the team to a 0-0. It felt like a big moment after being at the club so long.”
This season, George, who works as a plumber with Jim during the day, has cemented himself in the squad and been a regular starter, growing in confidence as the season has gone on and adding eight goals to his name.
George continued: “My intention was to play as many minutes as I could. In pre-season I wasn’t getting lots of minutes, but Ady was always reassuring me that it was a long season and my time would come.
“I got my opportunity and hopefully proved myself, but then had a little blip. My first goal was a header against Bromley in the cup, but I went down after scoring it, so didn’t get to celebrate!”
Jim added: “When he was rested for a game, Josh Hill called him up to give him some words of encouragement, which he didn’t need to do. I thought showed what kind of captain he is.
“But you can see there’s a great team spirit throughout the team.”
George’s impressive goal-tally can’t be mentioned without the 30-yard screamer against Cheshunt being brought up, that’s in the mix for goal of the season.
He continued: “I know I can strike a ball. I just saw the space and connected really well. I hit it so clean and then I looked up to see it flying into the top corner. And for it to be the winner, too, made it a really special moment.
“The team was going through a tough patch, but that win gave us a bit of momentum.”
For Director of Football Tony Burman, who created the Academy, nothing gives him greater satisfaction that watching the Academy players mature as adults.
He said: “It’s amazing for the club to see George go through the whole system. It’s like a partnership. The parents have been here so long, they become supporters of the club.
“To stay with one club through this whole period, is a fantastic achievement. It’s also a credit to the coaching staff, from Russell Searle to Ben and everyone in between. They are part of someone’s journey.
“It’s easy to train and go home. But the ones that put in the extra work, give themselves the best chance. Whether it’s the gym, or working on something else they need to improve on, we will always support it.
“It gives me immense pleasure to see someone improve. We try to make them decent young adults, it’s not just about the football side. We try to teach them a sense of professionalism and etiquette, too.
“To watch some of these boys grow into men and get their chance in the first team, it gives me a sense of pride – that we are doing things the right way, all the way from Under-7s upwards.
“You can’t give everyone a first team opportunity, but if we have helped the scholars learn something that will help them in life and in work, we have done our jobs. I still speak to a lot of these guys and they enjoy their time here. There’s plenty of players out there playing football for clubs who have come through the Dartford system.”
And of all who speak of George and other Academy players, such as Olly, Sam, Jez and co, their friendly natures are a common theme, which is not only testament to their families, but the principles and ethos that weave throughout Dartford’s Academy structure.
Jim added: “To see him on the pitch every week, I’m as proud as punch. My two brother-in-laws and little brother come to all the games, so there’s a group of us following him around.
“You can see how much his game is improving and confidence growing each week.
“He doesn’t want to work with me, really, and I don’t blame him. He wants to play football, and he is loving it here, you can see it in his face.
“George is taking care of himself. He’s eating the right things; he goes to the gym after work. He’s training extra hard. He’s so dedicated. He doesn’t go out on a Friday – he’s just doing absolutely every single thing possible with his body to give him a chance to be the best he can be.
“And everyone at the Academy deserves a great deal of credit for all the work they put in with all the young players, too.”
After being at the club for 13 years, final words go to George, who is now happy to pass on what he has learnt to the younger Academy players.
He said: “It’s amazing to play with Olly and Sam, and to see other Academy players that I’ve known for a long time get chances.
“There’s a great spirit throughout the club right now. Obviously, we’ve had a few results that haven’t gone our way, but we want to win the league and will keep pushing as hard as we can.
“But if I go back to the time when I was struggling in the Academy, I put the work in. I was out there every day and I’d say that’s my advice to other Academy players. What more can they do? Can they train more? Work harder? Work as hard as you can and the opportunities will hopefully come.”
And for George Whitefield, the drive to succeed, while putting in the extra work, is certainly paying off right now – and everyone from the Academy to the Club and supporters, are right behind him as he continues on his football journey.
By Gareth Morgan