NULL

NULL

*BS*Chris Kinnear said his new players will learn to show more drive and enthusiasm after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against Kingstonian.*BF*

Dover boss Chris Kinnear was disappointed after his team’s 1-0 defeat to the Ryman Premier side at Crabble:

“There was not a shot in the game was there? We have to show more enthusiasm, to be honest. But most of the lads don’t know me and they will need to work hard whilst they are with us.

“They (Kingstonian) set themselves up as if it were a league game and they were clearly pleased to get a result. If we were trying to win the game, I would have ensured we had kept a settled side.”

Despite this setback, Kinnear was still able to find positives from the game as continues to tinker with his team during pre season: “We got better in the second half and the lads that came on showed more enthusiasm. There are five weeks to go and we are learning about the players strengths and weaknesses.

“Though it was unfortunate we lost at home, we are slowly getting ourselves organised as the players are constantly being changed so we can avoid injuries at this early stage – But it takes time.”

Pacy winger Ricky Modeste missed the game but Chris confirmed he would be back for Tuesday night: “Ricky had a pre-arranged thing to go to that he had told me about during the summer. He was upset he had to miss the game and I think we missed his enthusiasm on the right. But it gave us a chance to look at some of the young lads like Pilcher and Raggett.”

Tuesday night sees Athletic continue pre-season preparations with the visit of Woking and Kinnear is looking forward to pitting his wits against the Conference outfit: “We will definately show more enthusiasm against Woking as they are very powerful – an excellent side and we will have to stand up and be strong. It will be another game we learn something from.”

Kinnear continues to cast his eye over a number of triallists as he looks to assemble his squad before the season starts on August 17th but confirms there are no new additions to his squad as yet: “We have not signed anyone at the moment, but we will probably have someone sorted on Tuesday.”

*BS*Chris Kinnear said his new players will learn to show more drive and enthusiasm after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against Kingstonian.*BF*

Dover boss Chris Kinnear was disappointed after his team’s 1-0 defeat to the Ryman Premier side at Crabble:

“There was not a shot in the game was there? We have to show more enthusiasm, to be honest. But most of the lads don’t know me and they will need to work hard whilst they are with us.

“They (Kingstonian) set themselves up as if it were a league game and they were clearly pleased to get a result. If we were trying to win the game, I would have ensured we had kept a settled side.”

Despite this setback, Kinnear was still able to find positives from the game as continues to tinker with his team during pre season: “We got better in the second half and the lads that came on showed more enthusiasm. There are five weeks to go and we are learning about the players strengths and weaknesses.

“Though it was unfortunate we lost at home, we are slowly getting ourselves organised as the players are constantly being changed so we can avoid injuries at this early stage – But it takes time.”

Pacy winger Ricky Modeste missed the game but Chris confirmed he would be back for Tuesday night: “Ricky had a pre-arranged thing to go to that he had told me about during the summer. He was upset he had to miss the game and I think we missed his enthusiasm on the right. But it gave us a chance to look at some of the young lads like Pilcher and Raggett.”

Tuesday night sees Athletic continue pre-season preparations with the visit of Woking and Kinnear is looking forward to pitting his wits against the Conference outfit: “We will definately show more enthusiasm against Woking as they are very powerful – an excellent side and we will have to stand up and be strong. It will be another game we learn something from.”

Kinnear continues to cast his eye over a number of triallists as he looks to assemble his squad before the season starts on August 17th but confirms there are no new additions to his squad as yet: “We have not signed anyone at the moment, but we will probably have someone sorted on Tuesday.”

*BS*Chris Kinnear spoke to DAFCtv following Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Dagenham & Redbridge, as well as players Craig Stone, Lee Hook and Ricky Modeste.*BF*
[utube]
Interviews by Jason Burns

*IS*Courtesy of Sorceress Productions*IF*

*BS*Chris Kinnear spoke to DAFCtv following Saturday’s pre-season friendly against Dagenham & Redbridge, as well as players Craig Stone, Lee Hook and Ricky Modeste.*BF*
[utube]
Interviews by Jason Burns

*IS*Courtesy of Sorceress Productions*IF*

*BS*Whites welcome Dagenham & Redbridge for the first pre-season friendly on Saturday. The League Two club have confirmed that they are bringing a full strength side to Crabble.*BF*

Chris Kinnear will use tomorrow’s game to give his rejuvenated squad their first run-out together and test their fitness at this early stage of their pre-season schedule.

Trialists may also be on show as Kinnear runs the rule over potential new signings, with still six weeks until the league season.

The Daggers, who kicked off their pre-season with a 4-0 win at Whitstable last weekend, are preparing for another season in League Two after finishing 22nd last term. They won 2-1 at Crabble in pre-season a year ago.

*BS*ENJOY PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES AT CRABBLE FOR A FIVER!*BF*

Entrance fees have been reduced to £5 for all pre-season friendlies at Crabble this July, with the exception of Under 11s and season ticket holders who can enter the stadium for free.

We hope that the low price gives the people of Dover the chance to sample what your local club has to offer on and off the pitch.

*BS*PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES AT CRABBLE*BF*

Saturday 6th July – Dagenham & Redbridge – 3.00pm

Saturday 13th July – Kingstonian – 3.00pm

Tuesday 16th July – Woking – 7.45pm

Saturday 20th July – AFC Hornchurch – 3.00pm

Saturday 27th July – Billericay Town – 3.00pm

*BS*Whites welcome Dagenham & Redbridge for the first pre-season friendly on Saturday. The League Two club have confirmed that they are bringing a full strength side to Crabble.*BF*

Chris Kinnear will use tomorrow’s game to give his rejuvenated squad their first run-out together and test their fitness at this early stage of their pre-season schedule.

Trialists may also be on show as Kinnear runs the rule over potential new signings, with still six weeks until the league season.

The Daggers, who kicked off their pre-season with a 4-0 win at Whitstable last weekend, are preparing for another season in League Two after finishing 22nd last term. They won 2-1 at Crabble in pre-season a year ago.

*BS*ENJOY PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES AT CRABBLE FOR A FIVER!*BF*

Entrance fees have been reduced to £5 for all pre-season friendlies at Crabble this July, with the exception of Under 11s and season ticket holders who can enter the stadium for free.

We hope that the low price gives the people of Dover the chance to sample what your local club has to offer on and off the pitch.

*BS*PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES AT CRABBLE*BF*

Saturday 6th July – Dagenham & Redbridge – 3.00pm

Saturday 13th July – Kingstonian – 3.00pm

Tuesday 16th July – Woking – 7.45pm

Saturday 20th July – AFC Hornchurch – 3.00pm

Saturday 27th July – Billericay Town – 3.00pm

*BS*Dover Athletic Under 14s and 15s were recognised for their sportsmanship at the Valley Express Kent Youth League AGM last week, the first time the club has been awarded.*BF*

In the photo, Youth Section Chairman Daren Smith receives one of the awards from Bill Kelly, the Vice Chairman of the League.

Daren said: “Myself and Jon Barrett attended the AGM on 27th June and were pleasantly surprised to receive the awards for both U14s and U15s age groups.

“The Sportsmanship awards are given out to one side in each division to find the most sporting team. The criteria includes the least bookings, most welcoming to both Ref and opponents and by votes from our peers.

“This is the first time that Dover Athletic Youth has received one of these awards and to receive two is a great honour.”

*BS*Dover’s number one speaks about his new contract, expectations for the season and his recent trip to Bermuda to represent the England C team.*BF*

Following a fine season between the sticks, Walker has decided to extend his Crabble stay for a further two years and was clearly glad his future had finally been sorted:

“I would have liked it to have been sorted earlier, but I had a busy summer playing for the England C! There were other offers, but it’s nice to play after training all week.

“I am still young and after these two years are up I will only be 23 and hopefully I can continue playing for another twenty years.”

Recent press quotes from Chris Kinnear expressed delight that the ex Brighton player has decided to stay and Walker was keen to return the compliment: “I enjoy working with him, we only lost once in the league under him last season and he has clearly brought something to the club. He told me he will be building a young, hungry team this season.”

*BS*On training full-time and working at his game…*BF*

With the league season just over six weeks away and training started, Walker revealed his plans: “I am going to train with Crawley this season where I can and help them out for things like shooting practice – it suits both parties. It really helps as well that they have a goalkeeping coach, even though Hooky tries to teach me!

*Ppic1*”As for the season ahead, I just want to be more consistent. Even though I have just had a good season, I made some mistakes last year and want to improve. I am my harshest critic.”

The tall stopper won the hearts of the Crabble faithful last season with some all action displays, including two penalty saves to send Dover into the play off final against eventual winners Salisbury.

After the disappointment of May’s final defeat in extra time, Mitchell is clearly looking to go one better next season: “It was really harsh on everyone connected with the club, but Dover is a well run with a good home crowd.

“I expect us to be challenging this season along with the likes of Eastleigh, Sutton, Chelmsford and Ebbsfleet.”

*BS*Looking forward to the season ahead…*BF*

Wednesday’s fixture release sees Whites play three of the first four games against newly promoted teams Whitehawk, Gosport and Concord along with a juicy home game against Ebbsfleet sandwiched in between.

Mitchell is relishing playing against his old team mates, who followed Steve Brown up the A2 after his appointment by the new owners at Ebbsfleet: “I am looking forward to seeing them as they are all good lads and it certainly is the game the fans would have picked to see first. It won’t be strange to play against them as part of football is that players move on.”

Walker also gave his opinion on playing the newly promoted teams early on: “Every team can beat every team in this league and just because they have come from the league below, they are still going to be tough games. We will approach these games with caution as we do every game.”

*BS*Representing England C this summer…*BF*

Whereas most players will have visited exotic locations this summer to relax after another hard season, Mitchell Walker’s recent trip to Bermuda was for very different reasons after his call up to the England C squad for the first time.

Mitch said: “The standard was really good and it was a very professional set-up. I learnt so much from the manager and the goalkeeper coach and I hope the chance will pop up again. It was such an honour to play for my country and Bermuda was an amazing experience.”