Brentwood Town
Isthmian Division One North champions Brentwood Town are back in the Premier for the first time since 2015/2016. The Blues entered the Isthmian Leagues 18 years ago after winning the Essex Senior League title. In that same season they completed the treble by claiming both League Cup competitions as well. Brentwood Town have been knocking on the Isthmian Premier door in recent years. The Essex club failed in the playoffs in 2022 and 2024 before lifting the title last season.
2024/2025 Season
Isthmian North: 1st
F.A Cup: 2nd Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 3rd Round
County Cup: 3rd Round
Top League Scorer: Daniel Ogunleye (36 goals)
The Blues wrapped up the title last season on the penultimate game. A record crowd saw top goal scorer, Daniel Ogunleye net all four goals in a 4-0 victory. It wasn’t until December that the Essex club truly got going . They started a 13-match unbeaten run picking up 35 points. No one scored as many goals as Brentwood Town or had a better goal difference. The Blues recorded the joint biggest win in the division, an 8-0 mauling of Ipswich Wanderers. On the 8 March with the Essex side in second place faced league leaders Felixstowe and Walton United. Brentwood Town won, swapped places and never relinquished top spot.
Manager – Keith Rowland
A former West Ham United defender, Keith Rowland also played in the Football League for the likes of AFC Bournemouth and Queens Park Rangers to name a few. Adding to his playing experience he won 19 international caps for Northern Ireland too. Rowland’s coaching career began at Braintree Town under Alan Devonshire, then Rod Stringer until he went into management with Wingate and Finchley in 2016, where he recorded the club’s highest finish on two occasions. Spells followed at Aveley and Tilbury before he’s current role at Brentwood Town started in October 2023.
Summer Transfers
Unsurprisingly many of the Isthmian Division One North League winning squad have extended their stay with the club including former Dartford legend and Brentwood Town’s Manager’s Player Of The Year, Lee Noble. The midfielder helped Dartford to promotion in 2012 scoring the winner in the playoff final against Welling United. Still going at 36-years-old, Noble represented the Darts for 12 years making 476 appearances and scoring 51 goals.
Perhaps the best signing is the retention of Player’s Player Of The Year and Supporters’ Player Of The Year, Danny Ogunleye. Last season’s prolific scorer sparked interest from Colchester United in the summer.
Manny Ogunrinde and Charlee Hughes swap relegated Aveley for the promoted Blues. Ogunrinde enjoyed five years with the Millers winning consecutive promotions and Young Player of the Season in Aveley’s debut campaign in the National South. Hughes returns to Brentwood Town having previously won a golden boot with the club.
At Walthamstow last season, Louie Johnson had a great time scoring 18 goals and notching up ten assists helping him claim the club’s annual awards. Charlie Edwards arrives from Cray Wanderers. Defender, Aron Pollock joins the newly promoted club and was close to a league winners medal with Billericay Town last season. Max Hudson will be another new member of the Blues’ backline having signed from Dulwich Hamlet.
Former Dart, Lyle Della-Verde has departed the Essex side. The midfielder was at Dartford back in 2017/2018 scoring five goals in 34 games. Goalkeeper Connor Wheatley joins Basildon United. Taylor Curran has moved out to Portugal to play in their fourth division. Koby Yeboah has decided to make the switch to Canvey Island.
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 3 / Brentwood Town wins: 2 / Draws: 2
Previous Six Meetings
Brentwood Town 1 – 2 Dartford (25/11/2017 – F.A Trophy)
Dartford 0 – 1 Brentwood Town (29/03/2008 – Isthmian Division One North)
Brentwood Town 2 – 2 Dartford (05/02/2008 – Isthmian Division One North)
Brentwood Town 2 – 1 Dartford (08/03/1969 – Southern League First Division)
Dartford 1 – 1 Brentwood Town (15/02/1969 – Southern League First Division)
Dartford 2 – 0 Billericay Town (15/04/1968 – Southern League First Division)
Next Meetings
Brentwood Town v Dartford – Saturday 11th October 2025
Dartford v Brentwood Town – Saturday 31st January 2026
Statistics
- Dartford are four games without a league win against Brentwood Town (D2, L2)
- The Darts did win in the last meeting between the two sides, a F.A Trophy tie in November 2017
- Neither side have scored more than two goals in this fixture
Match Highlights – 2007/2008
Highlights courtesy of the late sonytino
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