Dartford chairman Dave Skinner says it could be 2011 before the club starts showing a profit on running Princes Park.

The Ryman League, Premier Division leaders moved into their impressive 4,000 capacity home three years ago last week but celebrations to mark the anniversary at the weekend were washed out when the home game against Boreham Wood was postponed.

The club took over running the facility from Dartford Borough Council in February this year.

Mr Skinner said: "Our first aim was to reduce the costs on the place but we were always confident it could pay for itself.

"We are just about breaking even at the moment but hope to be making a profit in about 18 months."

General manager Nicola Collett and a new full-time receptionist are the only paid members of staff, while company chairman Bill Archer and club chairman Mr Skinner are among the army of volunteers.

Mr Skinner said: "We are there most days to keep things ticking over and everybody else chips in to help out."

Dartford have been boosted by regular four-figure gates which have surprised even club officials.

Mr Skinner added: "We had our hardcore 250 who used to follow us in the fallow years and we would have been happy to get 600-800.

"We have done a couple of giveaways to Premiership and Championship season ticket holders and the feedback we get tells us they will watch us when their teams are away.

"Millwall play their reserve games here and a lot of their fans live in the area, see the facilities we have and keep coming back."