Following the expiry of his contract with Chelmsford, former Dartford midfielder Samir Carruthers will return to Princes Park as Ady Pennock’s second signing for the upcoming season.

Carruthers donned the claret of Chelmsford after a standout 2022/23 campaign in Dartford colours but will now drop down a level to aid his former side in their bid for immediate promotion back to the National League South.

The Irish midfielder originally joined the Darts under Steve King’s stewardship and was made a priority retention in Alan Dowson’s first season in charge. Under Dowson, he scored 10 league goals, earned a place in the Vanarama NLS Team of the Season, and won the Players’ Player of the Year.

His time at Dartford did, however, have a bitter end, as he was the only player to miss in the playoff penalty shootout against St Albans.

Pennock will hope Carruthers’ vast playing experience will help in steering the club back to Step Two. Across his career, he has made 165 appearances in the EFL, featuring for MK Dons, Sheffield United, Oxford United, and Cambridge United. In this time, he notched seven goals and 26 assists.

Securing a player of Carruthers’ calibre is a sign of ambition from the club, something which was called into question last season given the lack of quality recruitment. His creativity was not adequately replaced, and goals dried up as a result.

The board have clearly looked to address this, with director Mark Brenlund labelling pre-season recruitment as “fundamental” in his season review. He also stated that the “churn of players erodes the fighting desire needed”, critiquing the revolving door of player additions and departures of recent years.

In what will be a new-look Dartford next season, Carruthers will need to provide leadership to a potentially young squad.

It is likely that there will be an increase in minutes for academy prospects – Olly Box and George Whitefield are already confirmed to be staying, and there could be places in the squad for the likes of Jeremiah Pinder, Ashton Day, Finley Sillince and Louie Atkins. 

Picture supplied by Dave Budden.