Dartford's Bill Archer has announced that he is to step down as co-chairman of the Vanarama Conference club after a bout of poor health.

Bill joined the board of directors in September 2001 to help with the campaign to bring Dartford Football Club back to the borough and was at the centre of negotiations with Dartford borough council that saw the club return to a purpose-built stadium.

Following the opening of Princes Park in November 2006, Bill took up the reigns as co-chairman with responsibility for commercial matters alongside long-time chairman Dave Skinner, who concentrated on football and stadium operations.

Archer said: “I told the board some time ago that this season would be my last as co-chairman because I wanted to concentrate on getting myself back to full health and had to consider my family and friends. I suspect very few people appreciate how much work and stress is involved in keeping a club of this size running or how much the board do to sustain the business. They are all unsung heroes and I have had enormous support from them.

“I also want to say a word about our magnificent supporters. It doesn’t matter whether you have been with us for the long-haul and shared the dark days with us or have discovered Princes Park more recently. Each of you is part of our club and we appreciate you.

“I can understand why some clubs settle for life in the lower leagues and why winning against lower opposition has its attractions for some fans but I’m proud that our club has been brave enough to knock on the door of higher leagues and not lose its sense of fairplay, financial responsibility and it’s long-term commitment to our community. Long-time supporters will remember what dark days really look like and I can assure you that today’s ups-and-downs, competing just one step from the Football League, don’t come close! It’s been a great journey and it’s now time to leave the bus. There’s a lot more to come and I look forward to being alongside you.”

The board asked Archer to take up the post of club president, so he will continue to advise the club.

His replacement as co-chairman will be the club’s current vice-chairman Steve Irving, who has been a director of the club for 22 years and will continue to work alongside Skinner as co-chairman with responsibility for football.

Irving said: “We all understand Bill’s decision but are delighted that he has accepted an invitation to become the club president. It is hard to think of anyone in the entire club history who has presided over such an exciting era. He built the relationships that persuaded Dartford council to bring us home and in doing so ignited an extraordinary run of success that saw us climb from the Ryman North to the Conference Premier. The board put more into this club than many people realise and I am honoured to be taking over from Bill.”

Follow News Shopper Sport on Twitter @NewsShopperSprt