Ben Frempah interview: “I want to win things here!”

Gareth Morgan speaks to new signing defender Ben Frempah about his career and move to DFC.

Dartford’s first team players look set to have a fight on their hands over who controls the changing room music this season.

For, not only is new recruit Ben Frempah a model, he’s a music producer by day and never far from his studio creating new sounds.

But while he has a creative streak off the pitch, on the pitch he’s a different person – with a winner’s mentality and a determination to make a difference this season.

The 30-year-old said: “I’m a defender first of all. I like to make a tackle, defend and get clean sheets. But I’m also good in the air and comfortable on the ball.

“I’m very vocal and I like to organise. If the ball is on the other side of the pitch, I will still be organising. The fans will definitely be hearing me. I like to communicate.

“I want to win things with Dartford. I’ve had a number of second places or play-off misses in non-league football.

“But there’s a winning mentality here, you can see it in the players and that was part of the attraction of coming here, for me.”

Ben started out on his first team football journey at the age of 17 playing around 30 matches for Fisher in Step Five. At the same time, he spent the year at Charlton Academy.

He then went to Cray Wanderers but was soon signing his first pro contract for Leicester City.

He said: “When I got the chance to go to Leicester it was amazing. Sadly, they then got promoted to the Premiership and they were then looking for something else.”

Ben’s next move was to Ross County in the Scottish Premiership where he got a handful of games before injury struck and cut his season short.

He later signed for National League side Solihull Moors, and then Wycombe Wanderers on non-contract terms.

He then returned to non-league signing for Ebbsfleet United before making 47 appearances for Hayes and Yeading, helping them secure a second-place finish at Step Three and also reaching the first round proper of the FA Cup. He then featured in 33 matches for Leatherhead before returning to Wingate & Finchley, where over the last two seasons he made over 90 appearances and was named Director’s Player of the Season in back-to-back years.

He said: “I got to the point where I went back to non-league football and just wanted to play. My career was a little stop-start, so I have really enjoyed the past four seasons.

“I had first team matches with Wycombe, but I wasn’t lucky with a few of the moves I made, often things like COVID or new managers coming in, seemed to hold me back. One club got through around 67 players in the season I was there!

“But I have really enjoyed my football over the past two years. I scored six or seven goals last season and set up a few – I’m good from set-pieces.

“In my first season at Wingate we finished fourth, last season we were second for a lot of it, but then fell away.”

So, what brought Ben to Dartford FC?

He said: “I know Michael and he told me all about the Club. Things off the pitch make a massive difference on the pitch. How the club is run, adds another 20 per cent to how players perform.

“Dartford is a great club, run properly, with great facilities, a brilliant ground and amazing staff and fans.

“But the Gaffer is definitely one of the reasons I am here. I sat down, had a great conversation with him and straight away loved the vibe and what he had to say.”

Ben has now had a couple of weeks to adjust to his new surroundings and teammates. What have been his early impressions?

He added: “Pre-season sets the foundation for the season. The Gaffer is definitely putting us through our paces, but we will reap the benefits of it later.

“Going to Epping Forest was an experience. I’ve had sessions like it, but every club does their own version of pre-season and I’ve really enjoyed the intensity so far.

“I knew there was a good group here. But hearing about it and experiencing it are different. Everyone has been so welcoming and the boys have taken me on board from Day One. It already feels like I’ve been here for ages.

“Now, I can’t wait until the first game of the season. The friendlies are good, but there’s something about lacing up a pair of boots and knowing there are three points to be had.

“I want to win things here. I’m a winner. And I think I can fulfil my ambitions at Dartford.”

And that’s sure to be music to the ears of DFC supporters. Welcome to the Club Ben and good luck for the season!

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