Dover start their National League campaign with a trip to non-league new boys Hartlepool United on Saturday August 5th.

First team coach Mark Newson believes it is the best time to be playing the side relegated from League Two last season.

He said: “Ideally I would have wanted to start with a home fixture.

“But Hartlepool are coming into the unknown, which could well work in our favour. I think it would have been tougher playing a promoted team as they are full of confidence having been used to winning.

“We may be playing some big clubs in the first couple of months, but we must remember we are not minnows anymore and a lot of teams will be pleased to get a result against us.”

There has been much change to the playing staff during the summer, with eight new players signing to form a squad that will excite the fans according to Newson.

He said: “We may have lost a fair few players of late, but overall we feel we have upgraded with the ones we have bought in. We now have pace all over the pitch, something we were lacking in certain areas last season.”

And the new batch have already made an impression on the management and themselves!

“The lads are really competitive,” he laughed.

“We have had to pull the reins in at training as they have been flying into tackles!

“They really can’t wait for that first friendly at Deal Town next Tuesday ( July 11 7.30pm).”

Dover Athletic fixtures for August:

Sat 5th v Hartlepool United (A)

Tues 7th v Bromley (H)

Sat 12th v Wrexham (H)

Tues 15th v FC Halifax Town (A)

Sat 19th v Barrow (H)

Sat 26th v Macclesfield Town (A)

Mon 28th v Ebbsfleet United (H)