Aveley
This time two years ago Aveley reached their peak finishing seventh in the National South. In their debut season they made the playoffs losing out in the eliminator round, but set their highest ever finish. Leading up to their record breaking season, the Essex club had won consecutive promotions under Danny Scopes, so momentum was on their side. Then second season syndrome hit and they were relegated, bottom of the pile and returned to the Isthmian Premier. The Millers almost bounced back immediately last term, but fell short in the playoffs.
2025/2026 Season
Isthmian Premier: 2nd
F.A Cup: 4th Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 3rd Qualifying Round
County Cup: Semi-Final
League Cup: 4th Round
Top League Scorer: Ollie Peters (14 goals)
Aveley took a couple of months to get their promotion push going. Perhaps, adapting to a new manager after a relegation season the Millers needed time. A 1-1 draw with Dartford at the end of September was the start of a four month unbeaten league run spanning 16 games. The Millers went from 11th to fourth and within in a couple more matches reached second where they remained. Hoping to reel in champions Folkestone Invicta, the Essex club couldn’t make up the ground then eventually lost in the playoff semi-final.
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 before becoming manager of the Millers in the summer of 2025.
Summer Transfers
Some of Aveley’s transfer dealings have involved former Dartford players. Eddie Dsane had two seasons at the Darts and scored 27 goals. Having been used as a substitute under Adrian Pennock last season, Dsane felt it was time to move on despite a new manager arriving at Princes Park this summer.
Malachi Napa played under Alan Dowson in the 2022/2023 campaign and made 22 appearances for Dartford. The winger joins Aveley from Isthmian North champions Maldon and Tiptree.
Louis Dunne was part of the Dartford side that made the playoffs featuring 24 times in 2024/2025. The midfielder originally signed for Aveley, then Chelmsford City came calling with a player coach role that he accepted.
Giovanni Palmer joins from Dulwich Hamlet and Max Booth from Peterborough Sports. Ellis Bates impressed on trial during pre-season and has earned a permanent deal from Stevenage.
Ex-Dart, Liam Nash departs the Millers and teams up again with former Dartford manager Steve King at Eastbourne Borough. Jesse Nwabueze will be featuring for King’s Lynn Town. Tobi Tinubu and Ryan Charles have also departed the Millers.
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 7 / Aveley wins: 3 / Draws: 4
Previous Six Meetings
Dartford 2 – 0 Aveley (17/01/2006 – Isthmian Premier)
Aveley 1 – 1 Dartford (20/09/2025 – Isthmian Premier)
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)
Dartford 4 – 5 Aveley (15/12/2009 – Isthmian League Cup)
Next Meetings
Aveley v Dartford – Saturday 31st October 2026
Dartford v Aveley – Saturday 9th January 2027
Statistics
- Dartford have lost only one of the last ten in all competitions against Aveley (W6, D3)
- The Darts have lost just once at home against the Millers in the league (W3, D2)
- Dartford are unbeaten in their last five trips to Aveley (W3, L2)
Match Highlights – 2025/2026
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
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