They say all good things must come to an end. When they do it is never a nice feeling but the most important thing is to treasure the memories we have of those good (and in this case) extraordinary things.
These extraordinary things are the careers at Dartford Football Club of Ryan Hayes and Danny Harris.
Ryan Hayes joined the club in 2005 from Slade Green, when rumour has it, David Martin was the one being talked about but we got the other guy.
Ryan has made a total of 427 starting appearances for the Darts plus a further 153 as substitute. His overall total of 580 appearances puts him 3rd in the history of the club. In that time he scored 108 goals, making him the 6th highest goalscorer in the club’s history.
It has been an absolute joy and a pleasure to have seen most of those appearances and goals – so many of them spectacular, none of them ordinary.
For me, Ryan is up there in the top 5 players that have played for Dartford in my 47 years.
As for Danny Harris, he started a mere 302 games, with 98 from the bench. His 400 appearances since joining us in 2009, place him in 11th place in the club’s history and his 75 goals, 17th highest goalscorer.
Without these two gentlemen, the recent history of the club could so easily have been very different.
Ryan’s genius, scoring goals from all angles, creating so many more, earned him the nickname, Magic Man.
Danny, had drive and pace to die for and was reminiscent of the ‘Duracell bunny’.
Both Ryan and Danny are true legends and will be sorely missed.
I would on behalf of all directors and supporters, like to wish both of them every success at their new clubs and thank them both, from the bottom of my heart, for their massive contributions to this clubs history over the last 14 and 9 years respectively.
Steve Irving
Co-Chairman
Dartford FC
Picture Credit: Kent Messenger