Dartford are looking for a new manager after announcing that Steve King would be leaving the National League South side.

King oversaw the side make it to the play-off stages of the past season, but losing to Chippenham Town on penalties meant they face another campaign in the second tier of non-league football.

A statement released by Dartford Football Club has thanked King for his efforts in the past few seasons and that they will now be looking for his replacement. It reads:

“Following a lengthy discussion at our board meeting last night the directors made the unanimous decision to dispense with the services of Steve King after a little over two and a half years.

In that time our league position has been a source of pride. Finishing in the play offs three seasons in a row is a huge achievement.

Steve King is clearly a talented manager hence his initial appointment.

However, Dartford FC is built on stability and the wider footballing and supporter family within the community.

Our recent approach to player recruitment, development and retention, though successful in terms of league position, hasn’t perhaps proved to be best fit for us and our ambitions / plans going forward. Steve is a talented professional manager but the board is very conscious of the responsibility we have to the club’s history and its future.

We would like to place on record our thanks to Steve King for his tireless efforts since his appointment and we sincerely wish him well in whatever he does next.”

Whoever replaces King will have a stable club, built from the foundations up to work with. Who that man, or woman, is will hopefully be known in the coming days.