Wingate and Finchley
The club were formed as a merger between Wingate and Finchley in 1991. The Blues have spent all but six years of their existence in the Isthmian leagues. Four years after the merge they switched from the South Midlands to the Isthmian Division Three. After a playoff win in 2011, Wingate and Finchley have stayed in the Isthmian Premier ever since.
2025/2026 Season
Isthmian Premier: 16th
F.A Cup: 2nd Qualifying Round
F.A Trophy: 1st Round
County Cup: 3rd Round
League Cup: Winners
Top League Scorer: Ogo Obi (23 goals)
Wingate and Finchley didn’t get off to the best of starts last season by losing their opening four games. In total they went six without a win to begin the campaign and then take off. The Blues went three months unbeaten in the league winning seven out of ten. Such was their form that they went from relegation candidates to playoff hopefuls. Then they dropped rapidly after a twelve match winless run. The final months averaged out to inconsistency.
Manager – Ahmet Rifat
A long serving former Wingate and Finchley player, Ahmet Rifat come through the academy at Reading as a midfielder. At the age of 33 he broke the record for most Wingate and Finchley appearances when he reached 460 games. After hanging up his boots, Rifat turned manager in October 2022. A couple of seasons ago he guided the club to their first playoff campaign in 14 years.
Summer Transfers
Only departures to report on so far this summer, Wingate and Finchley have lost their top scorer Gianluca Botti to Dartford. The striker netted 13 league goals last term. Kyron McKay has also left the Blues to join Dulwich Hamlet. Arthur Iontton will be playing for Cheshunt.
Head to Head
Dartford wins: 4 / Wingate and Finchley wins: 5 / Draws: 2
Previous Six Meetings
Wingate and Finchley 3 – 1 Dartford (07/03/2026 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 1 – 2 Wingate and Finchley (08/11/2025 – Isthmian Premier)
Wingate and Finchley 1 – 2 Dartford (18/01/2025 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 2 – 2 Wingate and Finchley (19/10/2024 – Isthmian Premier)
Dartford 1 – 0 Wingate and Finchley (26/04/2008 – Isthmian Division One North)
Wingate and Finchley 0 – 2 Dartford (03/11/2007 – Isthmian Division One North)
Next Meetings
Dartford v Wingate and Finchley – Saturday 10th October 2026
Wingate and Finchley v Dartford – Saturday 10th April 2027
Statistics
- Dartford have lost three of the last four against Wingate and Finchley (W1)
- The Darts have lost their last two home games against the Blues, their only two home losses versus the North London side
- Dartford’ have won just twice away from home against Wingate and Finchley (D1, L3)
Match Highlights – 2025/2026
Highlights courtesy of Dartford FC TV
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