Whitehawk
In the space of seven years Whitehawk almost completed the journey from the Sussex League to the National League, but were denied in playoff heartbreak. County champions in 2010 and back-to-back Isthmian titles in 2012 and 2013, the Hawks soared. In the National South, Whitehawk reached the playoffs in consecutive campaigns before double relegation. Two years ago, the Sussex side won the Division One South East playoffs.
2024/2025 Season
Isthmian Premier: 16th
F.A Cup: 1st Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 3rd Qualifying Round
County Cup: Quarter-Final
Top League Scorer: Harry Bridle (10 goals)
A mediocre first seven games had the Hawks in tenth place, but then a dreadful run saw the Hawks dive. They picked up just two points from the next 30 available and went six league games without a game. In fact, during that spell the Hawks scored just once. Then Shaun Saunders was back. The club went on a run of one defeat in ten and that was against an in-form Dartford. It was enough to keep relegation at bay. In the end Whitehawk didn’t look threatened by the drop, despite losing four of their last five heading into the final day.
Manager – Shaun Saunders
Just over a year ago Shuan Saunders left Whitehawk for personal and family reasons. Six months after his departure he returned to the Hawks after Ross McNeilly left last season. Saunders has enjoyed plenty of success starting with honours won with Peacehaven and Telscombe. He won the club’s eighth County League title in 2013 and then a year later the Isthmian Division One South and Sussex Senior Cup in a record-breaking season. In 2016 Saunders won promotion with Haywards Heath Town at the first attempt to reach the Southern Combination Premier, where they finished second the following season after a vital points deduction. Under Saunders, the Blues went on to win the Premier Division title in 2018 to reach the Isthmian Division One South East. At Whitehawk he won the 2023 playoff final to return the Hawks back to the Isthmian Premier, before stepping down.
Summer Transfers
The Hawks are getting a band back together with familiar faces returning to the Enclosed Ground. After a successful playoff win with Burgess Hill Town, Nathan Cooper is back at Whitehawk. The defender played 44 times in the Hawks promotion season in 2022/2023. Joel Daly won the Isthmian Premierlast season at Horsham. He is another returnee after previously graduating through Whitehawk’s academy. Another player from the youth system, Alfie Rogers has returned after a spell with Newhaven where he netted 57 goals in two seasons. Charlie Harris, also played at the Enclosed Ground scoring the playoff winner in May 2023. The midfielder signs from East Grinstead Town.
Former Dartford goalkeeper, Bailey Vose is now a Hawk. The shot stopper had two spells at Princes Park and made 32 appearances for the Darts. Jack Meeres arrives from Lewes. Iffy Allen was due to drop down a division anyway with St Albans City, but instead he will be a Hawk. Rob O’Toole has committed to another season and has been named club captain.
Geoffrey Okonkwo and Hawks Player of the Season, Mannie Mensah moved to Dulwich Hamlet. Jordan Maguire-Drew makes the short journey to Lewes and so does Billie Clark.
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 7 / Whitehawk wins: 3 / Draws: 0
Previous Six Meetings
Whitehawk 0 – 1 Dartford (12/04/2025 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 4 – 1 Whitehawk (04/01/2025 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 3 – 1 Whitehawk (27/01/2018 – National South)
Whitehawk 0 – 4 Dartford (05/09/2017 – National South)
Dartford 3 – 1 Whitehawk (04/02/2017 – National South)
Whitehawk 1 – 0 Dartford (10/08/2016 – National South)
Next Meetings
Whitehawk v Dartford – Tuesday 9th September 2025
Dartford v Whitehawk – Tuesday 14th October2025
Statistics
- Dartford have won their last five games against Whitehawk
- The Darts have won their last three home games against the Hawks
- Dartford have won three out of four at Whitehawk (L1)
Match Highlights 2024/2025
Match highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
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