While red cards, suspensions and injuries have all contributed to a difficult start to the season for the men’s team, new signing Joe Tennent believes change is just around the corner.
After playing a major part in Dover’s promotion last season, the defender knows what is needed for a team to get over the line.
A dressing room that is together; a will to win and leave everything on the pitch; competition for places and players that will always give 100 per cent, are essential.
And despite having only been at the Club for just over a week, he’s seen enough to believe the squad he’s joined can go on a similar run to last season and get to where it wants to be again.
He said: “It’s been a difficult start, but I was in and around the dressing room last week and I saw players that care; players not happy with their performances; disappointment with other people’s performances.
“Unless you’re a team with a massive budget, if you get five or six players that are out, either injured or suspended, it’s going to be hard. Even Man City would struggle with five or six players out.
“I think it will come together, people will come back from injury and suspension, and then there’ll be competition for places and you get the best from everyone.
“As a group, it seems really together. When everyone is back the results will start coming.
“It was a similar start to last season and look what Dartford did there, it’s only six or so games in and it’s a long season with plenty of ups and downs to come.”
Joe, 27, began his career at West Ham as a youngster, leaving the club at 12 to play for Leyton Orient until the age of 16. He then completed a two-year scholarship at Colchester United, dropping down to non-league football with teams including Sevenoaks, Whitehawk and Dover.
He made the difficult decision to leave Dover quickly after not getting the time on the pitch he wanted at this time in his career.
He continued: “Getting a scholarship was quite big for me and my family. You work hard, you do a lot of traveling as a youngster, and that’s sort of the end game and to try to make it as a pro. I’m sure Dartford fans won’t mind me saying that promotion last year was a highlight of my career. But I want more success like that this year.
“It was a tough decision to leave. You build a bond and you’ve got friendships, especially when you win and achieve things. But I’ve got to be playing football, and I wasn’t. I wasn’t playing as much as what I’d have liked. So, when I heard that Dartford might be looking and would be interested in bringing me in, it was sort of a no brainer, really.”
With other options, what made Dartford stand out?
He continued: “It’s a massive club and local to me. I really enjoyed the matches against Dartford last year.
“From what I’ve seen of the club and the team and the manager and the coaching staff, everyone just seems together and wants to push on and hopefully I can help kick us on and go that one better this year.”
What can supporters expect from Joe? What does he feel he can bring to the young squad?
He said: “I’ll bring leadership to the team. Definitely, a bit of experience as well. Obviously, being 27 I’ve been at a few clubs and played a lot of games at this level and some games at the level above.
“I’m good in the air. And I feel I offer everything you’d hope for in a centre back. I try to always give 100 per cent on the pitch.”
Now, with a week off matches, the squad has a chance to get on the training field and get some bodies back for the match against Aveley.
He added: “Training was really tough, but I’ve been taken in right away.
“I can’t wait to play in front of the fans. It seems like a really good fan base with great support, and they turn up in their numbers. So hopefully we can give them something to shout about, and the results turn and we start to pick up some points and start climbing the table. It’s a shame I’ve come in at this point, but there’s been red cards and the injuries have been right through the team. So, it’s just one of those things.
“But I think a couple of weeks on the training field and get a few more bodies back and everyone can kind of reset and go again. I think it’s a good thing.
“The club had a similar start last year, but results will start coming. And I think winning is a habit, and once you start winning, it carries on and breeds confidence and the aim is to get back up that table as quickly as possible. I’m buzzing to get going – and confident things will change quickly.”
Good luck for the season Joe, from all at DFC.
