OPPOSITION FOCUS | Dagenham & Redbridge (H)

Written by Patrick Dodge

Founded: 1992

Nickname: The Daggers

Manager: Lee Bradbury

Stadium: Victoria Road

Capacity: Approx. 6,000

Club History:

Dagenham & Redbridge FC were formed in 1992 following the merger of Dagenham FC and Redbridge Forest.

They quickly established themselves up the non-league pyramid, later earning promotion to the Football League in 2007 and even reaching League One via the play-offs which was the clubs highest point up the league.

After several seasons in League Two and then the National League, the club experienced a difficult 2024/25 campaign, ultimately resulting in relegation to the National League South for the 2025/26 season, their first step into the sixth tier. 

In the summer of 2025, a Qatari investor consortium completed a takeover, bringing new ownership and high-profile additions to the squad including former England international Andy Carroll.

Dagenham & Redbridge’s early season has been competitive but mixed, reflecting the challenges of a new league and squad transition, but results are starting to go the way they’d like as they begin to find their feet in this National League South season.

The Manager - Lee Bradbury

Former AFC Bournemouth striker and experienced manager Lee Bradbury took charge at Victoria Road ahead of the 2025/26 season with the objective of guiding Dagenham & Redbridge back up the leagues of English football.

Bradbury brings a wealth of experience from his managerial career in the lower tiers of English football and has worked to reshape the squad, mixing big summer signings with a strong core of players from last season.

The Skipper - Timothée Dieng

For the 2025/26 season, Timothée Dieng was named club captain, with Andy Carroll appointed as vice-captain. 

Dieng has a wealth of experience within the English football leagues, with stints at clubs like Bradford City, Gillingham and Exeter City where he appeared in the League Two team of the season.

FORM GUIDE:

🟢 0-5 WIN vs AFC Totton - 29th November 2025

🟡 0-0 DRAW vs Slough Town - 16th December 2025

🟡 2-2 DRAW vs Tonbridge Angels - 20th December 2025

🔴 2-3 LOSS vs Hornchurch - 26th December 2025

🟢 1-4 WIN vs Chelmsford City - 29th December 2025

ONES TO WATCH:

Andy Carroll - Forward

An obvious pick for players to watch, Carroll swapped the South of France for East London when he joined the Daggers in July on a three-year deal after leaving Bordeaux and has also taken a minority ownership stake in the club.

Despite a challenging start to life in the sixth tier (including a heavy defeat on debut), Carroll brings top-level experience and an illustrious career including being an England international.

Carroll is now beginning to find form for the club and remains a constant threat when playing, with his experience and ruthlessness in front of goal shows he is aging like a fine wine.

Stan Leech - Forward

Signed very recently by Dagenham and Redbridge from Newmarket Town, Leech has already netted for his new club, scoring a great header against Tonbridge Angels on his debut.

Leech, who joined Newmarket Town at the start of the 24/25 season netted 11 goals in 36 games, but his form went to a whole other level in the 25/26 season, scoring 25 goals in just 26 games, piquing the interest of DRFC who will be hoping that the jump in level will not stop Leech’s previous scoring form.