DFCSA Flag and Badge
The long-running DFCSA has its own history when it comes to a flag and badge. Here, Tony Brown brings it altogether.
The Dartford FC Supporters’ Association Flag and Badge Design
Published in the Dartford Chronicle on 1st October, 1926, is this drawing and caricature by Syd Jordan, of five of Dartford’s players during the 1926-27 season who made between them, over 140 appearances.
This could well be the fore-runner in the design thoughts of the DFC Supporters’ Association when they designed their own badge in the mid-1950s. The club’s shirts never carried any form of emblem until the 1953-54 season, when on 14th November 1953, in the Southern League match versus Barry Town at Watling Street, the town’s Borough Crest was first worn. However, this is the town crest, and not the Supporters’ Association badge design depicting three darts and a football.
The programme notes from the start of the 1950-51 season say: “To my Officers and Committee of the Association I extend my thanks and admiration for the grand job they have done for both players and patrons, not even the most casual visitors to our ground could have failed to notice the enthusiastic band of workers proudly displaying the badge of the Supporters Association. May I also pay tribute to Mr.W.Moss and his staff who have and will continue to do all in their power to put Dartford on the football map and give pleasure and healthy entertainment to those holding season tickets or who pass through the turnstiles.”
The club handbook for 1960-61, compiled by the Supporters’ Club, bears the 1933 Dartford town crest (v1). This confirms that the idea of the three darts and a football badge had not been adopted by the Supporters’ Association by this time. [ed: Supporters’ Club is incorrect term. It has always been an association.]
The Badge above is believed to be designed and issued during the early-to-mid part of the 1960s. However, it bears the initials F.C.S.C. which would mean “Supporters’ Club” which the Association has never been known as. So, it seems that a mistake was made somewhere down the line in its production.
Description: A circular shape with a very thin gold enamelled edge, and inside of that, a black scrolled circular panel around the top and both sides finishing with a ‘tail’ at both ends that doesn’t quite envelope the whole circle. At the bottom is a brown and gold enamelled football showing the leather panelling and lace-up section.
Three darts in black and gold enamelling point downwards towards the football, but leaving a clearance between their tips and the ball. The centre dart is at 90 degrees with the left and right darts at 55° and 125° degrees respectively.
The Dartford F.C. Development Association took over the financial fund-raising from the Supporters’ Association, from the mid-1960s and used, in essence the same design, although this one seems somewhat cruder in design and finish than the earlier Supporters’ Association badge. The three darts are pointing towards the centre of the old-style leather football. This is believed to be from the 1970’s.
Description: A circular shape with a thin gold enamelled edge, and inside of that, a black circular band around the whole of the badge. Inside is a white circular band, approximately half as thick again as the black band. In the centre is a brown and gold enamelled football showing its leather panelling.
Three darts in black and gold enamelling point downwards into the centre of the football. The centre dart is at 90 degrees with the left and right darts at 45° and 135° degrees respectively.
Description: Official enamel lapel badge. Dartford FC were formed in 1888 and this badge commemorated the club’s centenary in 1988, using the three darts and a football design. The fitting is a pin clasp. Image designed by DFCSA Committee.
In the 1980s a new Shield design of lapel badge was produced, but the manufacturer’s name does not appear on the reverse of the badge and is not known.
Description: A Shield shape design with a thin gold enamelled edge. The top quarter is shaped in a upwards curve in black enamel with gold enamelled edging and lettering – DARTFORD F.C.S.A. (with the dots raised to the centre). The bottom three-quarters of the Shield is white enamel. It has a football centred in the bottom half of the Shield . In the centre is a brown and gold enamelled football showing its leather panelling and lacing.
Three darts in black and gold enamelling point downwards into the centre of the football. The centre dart is at 90 degrees with the left and right darts at 45° and 135° degrees respectively.
Reverse: No indication of manufacturer, with pin and clasp.
Dimensions: Widest point 20mm (13/16ths); Height: 25mm (1inch)
Description: A Shield shape design with a thin gold enamelled edge. The top quarter (although slightly narrower than the 1980s design) is shaped in a upwards curve in black enamel with gold enamelled edging and lettering – DARTFORD F.C.S.A. (with the dots raised to the centre). The bottom three-quarters of the Shield is white enamel. It has a football centred in the bottom half of the Shield. In the centre is a brown and gold enamelled football showing its leather panelling and lacing.
Three darts in black and gold enamelling point downwards into the centre of the football. The centre dart is at 90 degrees with the left and right darts at 45° and 135° degrees respectively.
The words in gold lettering: ‘CELEBRATING’ (left hand-side) and ‘100 YEARS’ (right-hand side), were added to commemorate the Association’s 100th year.
Reverse: Pin and clasp, with no indication of manufacturer. However, we know that these were purchased from Galaxy in December 2022 and 300 were produced
Dimensions: Widest point 22mm (7/8ths); Height: 26mm (1inch) – which are very slightly larger dimensions than the 1980s design.
A recently found badge is of interest to us as it bears the initials DFCSA on a red and white ‘wedge’-shaped design. However, as yet we have been unable to verify this as ‘ours’. It is thought to originate from the 1920-40s
Description This badge is enamelled and has a ‘castleated’ top edge, narrowing to an ‘arrow’-shaped bottom edge.
Thin gold enamelled surround and horizontal line two-thirds of the way down main body of design. Top two-thirds is red enamelled with white enamelled initials D.F.C. (the F being significantly higher than the D & C). The lower third is white enamelled with red enamelled initials S.A
The reverse is a button-hole fixing with no clasp and has no maker’s mark.
Dimensions: not known
