Aveley
This time two years ago Aveley were getting ready for their first foray in the National South. The Millers had been in the Isthmian Leagues since the seventies with the exception of two campaigns in the Southern League. The Essex club reached an all-time high with consecutive promotions under Danny Scopes. The Millers were the surprise package in their debut National South campaign by finishing seventh and reaching the playoff quarter-final. However, they couldn’t replicate that performance last season and ended bottom of the pile.
2025/2026 Season
National South: 24th
F.A Cup: 2nd Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 3rd Round
County Cup: 4th Round
Top League Scorer: David Kawa (10 goals)
Victories were scarce in 2024/2025 with the Millers winning just eight times in the league. It took until September to claim their first three point haul, they picked up just 11 points on the road and went 11 games without a win between February and April. A tough season saw the club relegated with five games to go and a return to the Isthmian Premier. At the end of the season Scopes left the club and after 23 years, Graham Gennings stepped down as Chairman.
Manager – Brett Munyard
Brett Munyard started off his managerial career at White Ensign. In his time with Ensign he guided them promotion from Step 7 to Step 5. He then moved to Brightlingsea Regent in November 2021 and managed to steer them to survival in the Isthmian Premier. Most recently Munyard moved from Regent to Maldon & Tiptree.
Summer Transfers
The Millers have been busy in the market with new boss Munyard aiming to mould his squad to his liking. Former Dartford loanee, Rowan Liburd has signed from Chatham Town. The striker made three appearances for the Darts back in the 2019/2020 season.
Munyard has also looked towards his former side Brightlingsea Regent by bringing in 18-year-old Jayden Robinson and left back Harry Critchley. Arriving from Grays Athletic is Spanish midfielder Alejandro Machado. Whilst Elliott Sartorius is a new arrival, who swept up the annual awards at Grays Athletic last term.
Fresh from winning the Essex Senior Cup with Canvey Island, Tobi Tinubu will provide an option as wing back. A double swoop was made for Ollie Peters and Ryan Henshaw from AFC Sudbury. The pair have also won the Isthmian Premier title with Bishop’s Stortford together. Another Isthmian Premier champion, George Saunders joins from AFC Hornchurch where he won the league title in 2024.
Marvin Ekpiteta is an addition from Folkestone Invict. Jayden Gipson from Isthmian North side Cambridge City and Kymani Thomas from Waltham Abbey. Albie Armin has been signed for an undisclosed fee from Leiston.
Sittingbourne have had their players picked off this summer and one of those is Joseph Boachie who joins Aveley. Forward Ryan Charles swaps the Southern Premier for the Isthmian Premier by moving from Bishop’s Stortford. Joe Wright will be Aveley’s new goalkeeper having signed from Enfield Town. Suley Zuhdu has signed on from Walthamstow. Jaden Brissett joins from Basingstoke Town.
Some of Aveley’s notable departures include former Dart, Ibby Akanbi who played just five games for Dartford and is now at Cray Valley Paper Mills. Manny Ogunrinde leaves after five years with the club joining promoted Brentwood Town. He will team up with Charlee Hughes who has also made the same switch.
Captain for the Millers last term, Jason Ring has left after 151 appearances to play for Hashtag United. Tyrese Owen may have dropped down a division with Aveley, but the midfielder will still be playing in the Isthmian Premier with Billericay Town. Likewise, Adam Leathers has joined Chatham Town. Swapping one set of Millers for another, Luke Holness has also joined Cray Valley Paper Mills and so has Alex Kpakpe.
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 6 / Aveley wins: 3 / Draws: 3
Previous Six Meetings
Dartford 1 – 2 Aveley (27/02/2024 – National South)
Aveley 0 – 1 Dartford (26/08/2023 – National South)
Dartford 2 – 2 Aveley (17/04/2010 – Isthmian Premier League)
Dartford 4 – 5 Aveley (15/12/2009 – Isthmian League Cup)
Aveley 1 – 4 Dartford (24/10/2009 – Isthmian Premier League)
Aveley 2 – 2 Dartford (29/12/2007 – Isthmian Division One North)
Next Meetings
Aveley v Dartford – Saturday 20th September 2025
Dartford v Aveley – Saturday 17th January 2026
Statistics
- Dartford lost at home in the league for the first time against the Millers last time Aveley visited Princes Park. The Darts were unbeaten in four (W2, D2)
- The Darts are unbeaten in their last four trips to Aveley (W3, L1)
- This fixture has averaged 4.08 goals a game in the 12 previous meetings. Dartford have scored 31 to Aveley’s 18.
Match Highlights – 2023/2024
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
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