C'EST BON, BUT IT'S AU REVIOR

TOM BONNER says stepping away from football is “the hardest decision he has ever had to make”.

- Chris Palmer

The 35-year-old Dartford captain has called time on a glittering 18-year career after completing, what some believe, to be his most assured season to date at Princes Park.

Bonner made over 450 league and cup appearances in two separate spells with the Darts but few would have hurt more than the agonising playoff semi-final defeat on penalties to St Albans City which ensured another season at Step 2 for Alan Dowson’s men.

“I’m still feeling very emotional to be honest,” Bonner said announcing he was to hang up his boots. “It was the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make.

“It’s been playing on my mind for a few months now and was made even more difficult because, obviously, we lost in the playoff to St Albans City.

“I really didn’t want to finish my career without getting Dartford promoted back to the National League.