David Rodgers, match-day hospitality co-ordinator

What is your connection to the club?
I’m one of the match-day hospitality co-ordinators. I look after the sponsors, both sets of directors, club and match officials.

 What does the role involve?
I ensure that only people who are entitled to enter the Board room and 1888 Lounge get in. I will show directors and sponsors where they will be dining and make sure they are comfortable and then help with the service, so in effect, their meals and drinks. We prepare the drinks for half-time, and then set up the buffet for after the match.

 How did the role come about?
An advert was posted and I was really keen to volunteer for Dartford FC. I applied and got the position, although at the time I didn’t really know exactly what it entailed. I’ve been in the role for three seasons now.

I watch the game from the tunnel after I finish my work prior to match. I’m usually there just after the match kicks off. I will then rush in to do what’s needed at half-time and once everything is sorted, I’ll go watch the rest of the game in the tunnel.

 How long have you been a supporter for?
About 12 years now, I’ve had a season ticket since 2012.

Any favourite memories?
I suppose I look back fondly on the time in the National League with the likes of Ryan Hayes, Elliot Bradbrook and Lee Noble and the FA Cup match against Bradford City, where quite a lot of us went up in a few coaches. Even though we lost, which we expected to do, it was a great day out.

What’s your take on the team today?
It’s a difficult situation. There are some good players here with potential, but unfortunately, it just isn’t really gelling for them at the moment. I don’t think it’s from a lack of dedication or effort, it just isn’t quite coming together yet.

Ady’s only had 12 or so games this season and has had to bring in a whole new team and it’s quite a difficult job. He has built up a team from scratch. I think he has done extremely well in the circumstances. It’s not going the way that everyone would like, because we’re not winning every game and we’re in a league which no one really wants to be in, but that’s the state that we find ourselves in at the moment and there are probably many reasons behind this. I don’t blame Ady at all, he’s trying to change things around, but these things take time.

We need some stability and from my perspective, I hope he does enough to keep us in a decent position this season and then he gets a whole season to get us up next season. I haven’t been a fan as long as others here and I know that everyone wants him to get us back this season. I just don’t think it’s really a feasible thing at present, but fingers crossed.

If he can keep the core of the players that obviously are battling hard and want to be here, add some youngsters and some new players, then I think he’ll have a good squad.

If you look at the team Tony Burman built, there was stability and they grew to know each other and play for each other and I feel that’s what is needed here.

You’ve got people now battling for the ball where it seemed like everyone downed their tools quite early last year. I don’t see that with this team.

 Favourite players at the moment?
Olly Box is great and a lovely lad, but I wouldn’t like to pick any out. I think there’s a lot who want to do their best for the club, here.

Hopes for the season?
I hope that we play to the best of our ability, have some stability and then hopefully build on that for next season, with a push to gain promotion.