Rewind to 7th May. The Daggers had just been consigned to another year of National League football after a devastating 2-0 (3-1 on aggregate) defeat to Forest Green Rovers.
It had been a fantastic season concluded, unfortunately, in heartbreak. But as I watched the team almost driven to tears after the final whistle, I wasn't angry. I was just proud to have my Dagenham back. And so, during that almost silent journey home from Nailsworth, I remember thinking, ''We go again.'' As the coach edged out of the narrow villages surrounding the ground, we passed numerous home fans. Some clapped, others goaded. After the final whistle, fans had invaded the pitch with the only intention of theirs being to taunt us. It really didn't matter. Dagenham's 2016/17 had been a tremendous one, and the journey would continue come August. Now, following three months of wait, including a pre-season which offered a sly teaser of football, we really do go again. As a new campaign dawns, we are ready to sustain another challenge for promotion. John Still has made it very clear what the target is: to be a Football League club again come this time next year. It is going to be a thrilling season once again. Last year, Dagenham - having just been relegated from the Football League - were a side of relatively unknown capabilities and, as such, pressure was very much off. Nobody knew what to expect quite frankly and the fact that York City went down horrendously is a huge testament to John Still's rebuild. Speaking of rebuild, there have been another large turnaround of players in the summer. It would always have been hard to replace our on-loan winger Maguire-Drew, who was one of the most talented footballers I've ever seen during my time supporting the club. Also departing was Curtley Williams, who was important, yet didn't play the contribution anybody at the club would've liked through no fault of his own. Injuries hampered his spell here and limited him to under twenty appearances . He, aswell as the departure and subsequent retirement of seasoned professional Luke Guttridge, meant there was a gaping hole of experience in the side. The other departures were fairly standard and wouldn't affect the team too much. Widdowson left to link up with Leyton Orient, legend Paul Benson joined Boreham Wood, Josh Staunton signed for league rivals Woking and misfit Shomari Barnwell headed to Solihull after failing to find his way after the step-up. Frankie Raymond will also be playing on an artificial surface this campaign after wapping Dagenham for Bromley. But John Still, to his credit, embraced the challenge and has seemingly assembled a fantastic squad. The first arrival was right-back Ben Nunn from Boreham Wood. A fast defender who was very highly regarded at Wood, he impressed in pre-season but is doubtful for today's game after breaking his wrist. Next to join Daggers was Torquay United midfielder Dan Sparkes. Sparkes is a left-winger who chipped in with multiple goals across the previous two season with both the Gulls and Braintree, with both sets of those supporters speaking very highly of him. However, Sparkes is definitely unavailable for today after missing pre-season through injury. Another Boreham Wood player swapped white for red and blue in the Summer and that was forward Morgan Ferrier. The young striker is very talented having established himself as an England C regular and bagged eleven goals last campaign. Morgan has had a very impressive pre-season but will face competition for the striker spots from Hawkins and............... Michael Cheek. Probably our best Summer acquisition, Cheek managed to score nineteen goals for Braintree last campaign, even though they were relegated, which is simply incredible. He has given a glimpse of his talent with two poachers goals in pre-season but the only concern with him is fitness as he has struggled with full-time football so far, admits Still. Defence was a troublesome area last season and that was the next area to be addressed as we say hello to Bondz N'Gala, who is a central defender with a vast array of experience. Also arriving at the club were Charlee Adams, a well-regarded central midfielder from Birmingham, and finally Kevin Lokko, on loan from Stevenage having made 46 appearances at centre-back for Maidstone in 2016/17. So that completes our squad for the season; the journey begins. Will it be another second season syndrome or another brilliant success? Let's find out- we go again!
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May 2024
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