With the fixture release for the National League South season coming up, we take a look at the six new teams joining us at Step Two for the 2025/26 campaign.
We continue with a look at a team who suffered relegation last season – Dagenham & Redbridge. The Daggers take their place in the sixth tier of English football for the first time since 1999/2000, having been in League One back in 2010/11.
2024/25
Last season started well for The Daggers, with just three defeats from their opening twelve fixtures keeping them in touch with the top seven. That start included a massive 7-1 win over a previously unbeaten Gateshead side in September.
However, as the months wore on, the Essex side slipped down the National League standings, and after a run of just seven wins from 23 league fixtures which left the Daggers five points above the relegation zone, Ben Strevens was sacked.
Lewis Young stepped up on an interim role, and Dagenham started February six points clear of the drop – and just ten off the play-offs. However, by the end of the month, they were only two points clear after claiming just three points from their seven games.
A 1-0 win at fellow strugglers Maidenhead at the end of March moved them back out of the drop zone on goal difference – but teams were improving around them. Victory over already relegated Ebbsfleet kept the Daggers within reach of Wealdstone, who had moved above them, before a big 6-1 over Altrincham saw Dagenham go a point ahead of the Stones going into the final game.
Dagenham had to match Wealdstone’s result to survive – and they were on course to do just that when going 1-0 up against Solihull Moors whilst Wealdstone were beating FC Halifax Town. However, Solihull drew level with 15 minutes to go and Dagenham were subsequently relegated by one point.
The Manager
Following relegation to the second tier of non-league football, Dagenham have appointed Lee Bradbury as their new manager.
Bradbury, 49, arrives at Victoria Road with a wealth of managerial experience and a strong track record across English Football. The former AFC Bournemouth, Eastleigh, and Havant & Waterlooville boss takes the reins ahead of the upcoming 2025/26 National League South campaign, having spent the 2024/25 season as a First Team Coach at Port Vale, who gained promotion from League Two.
The new Daggers boss of course also had a short period in charge of The Sports, leaving in October 2019 after his appointment earlier that summer.
The Stadium
Victoria Road has existed as a football ground since 1917, when the Sterling Works side, whose factory was situated alongside, used it. It was not fully enclosed until the summer of 1955, when Briggs Sports moved out to Rush Green Road, and Dagenham FC moved in.
In more recent years, the ground has been chosen to host some important matches over the years and West Ham United also use the pitch to host a number of their U23 Premier League 2 fixtures.
The most notable improvement recently has seen the SD Samuels Stand replace the terracing at the Western end of the ground, opened in 2009 the stand sits around 1200 supporters and is also now home of the dressing rooms used on a matchday.
Head-to-Head
The two teams are yet to meet in a league fixture, although they did face each other in the FA Trophy back in 2001/02 – where Dagenham prevailed with a 1-0 win at Victoria Road.
The two teams did also play a pre-season friendly against each other ahead of the 2017/18 season. On that occasion, it was Dagenham who came away with a 2-1 win at Priory Lane.
There will be one or two familiar faces in the Daggers’ line up, with former Borough goalkeeper Sam Howes joining them this summer whilst last season’s loan star, Jason Adigun, returns to his parent club following a successful period at The Sports. Shiloh Remy joined Dagenham in December 2023 from The Sports for an undisclosed fee.
Find out when we face Dagenham, as well as the other teams in the Enterprise National League South on Wednesday 9 July.
