David Shafford, programme and web editor; social media exec

What is your connection to the club?

I edit the matchday programme and edit the website. I also schedule the social media content. I have been working for the club in some aspect for nine years now.

What does the role involve?

It’s varied from week to week. Recently, we have been updating the website, so there has been a lot to add to it. But on an average week, I schedule the main social media content, edit the programme and add content to the website.

A lot of the work goes on pre-season with the design of the graphics and then it’s often a case of updating it all and putting new articles and messages out each week.

How did the role come about?

When I started off at Princess Park I was on the turnstiles. I’m not originally from Dartford, but moved here and got involved in the anniversary brochure through one of the networking events that were held here.

I met one of the commercial managers who said the website needed a revamp and I jumped at the chance and it snowballed from there. 

How long have you been a supporter for?

About 12 years now, although I’m from Billericay and support Southampton too!

Any favourite memories?

The first match in the new stadium is a great memory. It was a massive crowd and big occasion and just a great game as well.

But being involved in the club means every game is a little bit more special. I’d never been involved in a football club before, but it was something I had always wanted to do growing up. I’ve also sponsored a few matches with my business Dartford Living, so it’s nice to get on to the pitch, too.

What’s your take on the team today?

We’ve had an up and down start, but I find the problem is everyone is very quick to criticise the manager. Ady has come in and had to totally change the team, so it’s really difficult to get some consistency straight away.

There were a few games I watched where we created a lot of chances but it just didn’t go our way. On another day, if you get the points, no one would say anything. But because we got relegated and it has been patchy it gets highlighted a bit more.

I think everyone is expecting us to go straight back up winning every single game, but it’s never going to be like that.

I’m a Southampton fan and it’s a similar story. We had a good season, then got relegated. Everyone expected us to win every single game and go straight back up but getting on the back of the manager straight away isn’t going to help.

We’ve had a few injuries, some bad luck and Ady’s still trying to bring in some new faces as not every new signing is going to work. But sometimes you just want everyone to come along and support the team.

Favourite players at the moment?

Olly Box is great, but I’m really enjoying the youth players coming through. It’s nice to see that the managers are putting their faith in some of these. And I like Sam in defence, it’s good to see him coming on this season.

Hopes for the season?

I’d like us to be around the play-offs come the end of the season, there’s a lot of games still to play, but it’s a hard division to get out of straight away.