Tony Burman: Dartford's relegation reprieve excites manager

Burman took charge at Dartford in 2005, when the club were still in the Southern League

Dartford boss Tony Burman has welcomed the club's reprieve from relegation to the Conference South.

The Kent club will remain in Conference Premier after Hereford were expelled and Salisbury City were demoted.

"Mentally it is good for us. We want to stay at the highest level of non-league football," he told BBC Radio Kent.

"I didn't think lightning strikes twice as Chester have been reprieved as well. We need to learn our lessons. I am very excited about the situation."

Salisbury were relegated to Conference South on Friday for failing to pay creditors and the Wiltshire club have until Friday, 4 July to resolve their financial issues or they too will be expelled.

"We mustn't forget it is a situation at another club's expense," Burman added.

"We don't want to see other clubs go to the wall but unfortunately that has happened and we have got an opportunity to stay in the league.

"The AGM was last Saturday and it was well-publicised that Hereford had financial troubles.

"Both clubs seemed to have got their finances into a bit of a mess and they are being punished for it.

"It's to our benefit in a way."

Burman says their summer recruitment plans may need to be altered as the part-timers aim to prolong their two-year stay in the top tier of non-league football.

"We run a very tight ship and we try to keep within our budgets," he said.

"I'll speak to the players we have signed. Some of them found the Conference Premier difficult with the travelling and work commitments.

"We are trying to put a good squad together and have signed some excellent players so far this summer.

"I will listen to what they have got to say and I will try and persuade them to stay. I will say 'let's give it one more go'."