Academy Information
DFC Director of Football Tony Burman formed the successful Dartford Academy in 2008 – with more than 150 Academy players now having had the opportunity of first team football at the club.
The Academy has grown considerably over the past 17 years, with 30 players in the early years, now expanding to over 70.
Accepted players are offered a two-year NCFE Level 3 in sports, with the option of a third-year PT Diploma Level 3 in personal training, run in conjunction with SCL. There are other course options also available.
The courses take place in classrooms at Princes Park, with the education side running parallel with club football coaching run by Academy Manager Ben Greenhalgh and coaches Leo Mazzone and former academy student Elliot Leveson, who have B-Licence qualifications.
You can find out more about the Academy set-ups through these interviews last season with Tony, here and Ben, here.
DFC is proud of its pathway through the system, with many of the Academy players brought through from the club’s Academy Youth and grass-roots teams.
From a football perspective, Academy players have the chance to play in the National League Alliance regional divisions and National League Premier Division.
The Dartford Academy has produced exceptional talents, including Gibraltar international Deren Ibrahim and Gambia international and Derby County defender Ebou Adams. Martial Godo has regularly played for Fulham’s first team.
Eight Academy players signed first team deals at the Club in 24/25, with George Whitefield having been at the club from the age of seven!
In 25/26, Dartford Academy is excited to expand further, to include a Girls’ Academy, with some 25 students expected to start their education and football journey with the Club in September.
Key people and details below:
Director of Football: Tony Burman
Academy Manager: Ben Greenhalgh
Academy Team: Leo Mazzone, Elliot Leveson
For enquiries, please contact:
