Daggers Ltd ready for the League

12:57pm Thursday 22nd March 2007

DAGENHAM & Redbridge continued to advance on the Football League this week by forming a limited company.

The Conference leaders are currently similar to the European champions, Barcel-ona, in that they are a club run by members but voted on Monday to incorporate to meet league requirements in preparation for promotion.

A Football League visit on March 5 confirmed the Victoria Road ground met all the criteria for league enty and, off the pitch, the incorporation was the only outstanding item left in order to comply.

Preparatory talks have been going on behind the scenes since before Christmas and most of the work to transfer the assets and liabilities are at an advanced stage.

The existing members of the current management committee plus one of the existing trustees will become the directors of the new company.

David Andrews and David Ward will remain as chairman and vice chairman respectively, Derek Almond will become the company secretary and Steve Thompson the managing director.

Daggers lie 12 points clear of Oxford United at the top of the Conference with eight games still to play, after four points in their last two games.

They drew 1-1 at home to Forest Green on Saturday.

Top-scorer Paul Benson gave Dagenham the lead with a 39th minute volley, but Rovers' Michael Brough denied them maximum points with a low 16-yard drive in the 74th minute.

Daggers extended their lead at the top of the table with a 2-0 victory over visitors Stevenage on Tuesday.

The home side left it late and the game looked deadlocked until Ben Strevens struck with 14 minutes to spare, firing home past keeper Alan Julian from eight yards.

Dave Rainford sealed the points three minutes from time with volleying in Paolo Vernazza's corner at the far post.

Manager John Still said: "It's all going in the right direction - on and off the pitch.

"Of course the results on the pitch are the most important factor for me and I'm mindful of the fact that we cant stop doing what we have been doing.

"The boys have been working tremendously hard and we have got to keep showing those same attributes that we have been showing so far.