*BS*Whites’ goalkeeper Mitch Walker talks to doverathletic.com about his time at Crabble so far, training with a Football League club and ambitions to help the club progress.*BF*

Reflecting on the start to his footballing career with Brighton & Hove Albion, Mitch said: “I joined Brighton at 12/13 and it was a good grounding for me. I went through the scholarship scheme, into the reserves and then made my first team debut which was great.

“However, it was hard to break through consistently because of the competition for places and I was training without playing many games and that wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to play games.”

Walker cited that his time spent working with Dover manager Nicky Forster at Brighton was influential in his decision to join The Whites: “I spoke to both Nicky and Steve Brown before joining and I was really excited to come down and play for Nicky Forster. First team football was a big factor in my decision.”

*Q1*Since joining Dover, Walker has been made to feel very welcome at the club and believes this has helped him settle very quickly: “I’ve been settling in really well. Everyone from the lads, the staff, to the chairman have made me feel very welcome.

“Usually there’s one person that you might not get on with but that isn’t the case at Dover, everyone has been great with me.”

When asked about the transition from professional to semi-professional football, the promising goalkeeper did have some concerns about the regularity of training.

Mitch said: “My only concern about going from full-time to part-time was losing my sharpness, so the gaffer had a word with Crawley Town and I now train with them when it suits Dover’s schedule, so I can keep sharp and help out there as they only have a couple of pro keepers.”

Walker likes to think there is room for improvement this year, despite the team’s impressive away form: “It’s been a crazy season so far and it has been well documented that the home form needs improving and everyone at the club is scratching their heads a little about it.

*Lpic1*”Our away form is the best in the league and hopefully we can transfer those positives into our home form. One win should see it turnaround. It needs to improve if we are to push on for promotion.”

Growing up during the explosion of the Premier League, Walker was quick to point out a rather famous pony-tailed England number one as his hero: “As an Arsenal fan, David Seaman was a real favourite of mine, as was Peter Schmeichel.

“At the moment, Joe Hart and Michel Vorm are in my opinion the best in the league. And the fact that Brad Friedel is still playing at 41 is amazing.”

Long term ambition is a subject that can always be misconstrued but Walker is like many young ambitious footballers and wants to have a long career at the highest level possible.

He said: “My long term ambition is like many others and that is to play as high as possible for as long as I can. There are many different roads you can take to get there. I want to play as well as I can for Dover so that the club can move forward.”

*BS*Whites’ goalkeeper Mitch Walker talks to doverathletic.com about his time at Crabble so far, training with a Football League club and ambitions to help the club progress.*BF*

Reflecting on the start to his footballing career with Brighton & Hove Albion, Mitch said: “I joined Brighton at 12/13 and it was a good grounding for me. I went through the scholarship scheme, into the reserves and then made my first team debut which was great.

“However, it was hard to break through consistently because of the competition for places and I was training without playing many games and that wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to play games.”

Walker cited that his time spent working with Dover manager Nicky Forster at Brighton was influential in his decision to join The Whites: “I spoke to both Nicky and Steve Brown before joining and I was really excited to come down and play for Nicky Forster. First team football was a big factor in my decision.”

*Q1*Since joining Dover, Walker has been made to feel very welcome at the club and believes this has helped him settle very quickly: “I’ve been settling in really well. Everyone from the lads, the staff, to the chairman have made me feel very welcome.

“Usually there’s one person that you might not get on with but that isn’t the case at Dover, everyone has been great with me.”

When asked about the transition from professional to semi-professional football, the promising goalkeeper did have some concerns about the regularity of training.

Mitch said: “My only concern about going from full-time to part-time was losing my sharpness, so the gaffer had a word with Crawley Town and I now train with them when it suits Dover’s schedule, so I can keep sharp and help out there as they only have a couple of pro keepers.”

Walker likes to think there is room for improvement this year, despite the team’s impressive away form: “It’s been a crazy season so far and it has been well documented that the home form needs improving and everyone at the club is scratching their heads a little about it.

*Lpic1*”Our away form is the best in the league and hopefully we can transfer those positives into our home form. One win should see it turnaround. It needs to improve if we are to push on for promotion.”

Growing up during the explosion of the Premier League, Walker was quick to point out a rather famous pony-tailed England number one as his hero: “As an Arsenal fan, David Seaman was a real favourite of mine, as was Peter Schmeichel.

“At the moment, Joe Hart and Michel Vorm are in my opinion the best in the league. And the fact that Brad Friedel is still playing at 41 is amazing.”

Long term ambition is a subject that can always be misconstrued but Walker is like many young ambitious footballers and wants to have a long career at the highest level possible.

He said: “My long term ambition is like many others and that is to play as high as possible for as long as I can. There are many different roads you can take to get there. I want to play as well as I can for Dover so that the club can move forward.”

*BS*Nicky Forster and Steve Brown spoke to DAFCtv following Tuesday night’s FA Trophy exit.*BF*

Whites lead 2-1 against Chelmsford City but conceded a late equaliser and lost 4-2 after extra time.

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*BS*Nicky Forster and Steve Brown spoke to DAFCtv following Tuesday night’s FA Trophy exit.*BF*

Whites lead 2-1 against Chelmsford City but conceded a late equaliser and lost 4-2 after extra time.

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*BS*Dover Athletic Under-16s beat Welling United 5-1 after extra time in the cup but were indebted to Rhys Austin’s goalkeeping in normal time.*BF*

Austin made an impressive one-on-one save in the dying minutes of the Kent Cup tie to keep the scoreline at 1-1.

A stern team talk, plus change in formation and tactics, saw Whites’ performance improve in extra time and they quickly fired four goals without reply to make it a much more comfortable looking scoreline.

The age group below them also enjoyed a 5-1 Kent Cup victory. The under-15s produced a good all round team performance at Sevenoaks with Connor Miller netting a brace.

DAFC Under-14s were knocked out of the Kent Cup, however. They lost 3-1 at Bromley, one of the toughest sides in the competition. Whites’ under-18s side were beaten 4-1 by Maidstone United.

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*BS*Dover Athletic Under-16s beat Welling United 5-1 after extra time in the cup but were indebted to Rhys Austin’s goalkeeping in normal time.*BF*

Austin made an impressive one-on-one save in the dying minutes of the Kent Cup tie to keep the scoreline at 1-1.

A stern team talk, plus change in formation and tactics, saw Whites’ performance improve in extra time and they quickly fired four goals without reply to make it a much more comfortable looking scoreline.

The age group below them also enjoyed a 5-1 Kent Cup victory. The under-15s produced a good all round team performance at Sevenoaks with Connor Miller netting a brace.

DAFC Under-14s were knocked out of the Kent Cup, however. They lost 3-1 at Bromley, one of the toughest sides in the competition. Whites’ under-18s side were beaten 4-1 by Maidstone United.

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*BS*Whites succumbed to a comprehensive defeat against league leaders Salisbury City at Crabble on Saturday. Ben May’s fifth goal in five games was a late consolation in a 3-1 defeat.*BF*

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*BS*Whites succumbed to a comprehensive defeat against league leaders Salisbury City at Crabble on Saturday. Ben May’s fifth goal in five games was a late consolation in a 3-1 defeat.*BF*

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*BS*Vice captain Ian Simpemba spoke to doverathletic.com ahead of Saturday’s big game about the secret of promotion and the quality in Whites’ squad.*BF*

Simpemba, who has experienced promotion from Conference South on two previous occasions with Lewes and Ebbsfleet, shared his view on Dover’s best chance of getting back into the Conference.

“50-60% of the game is about being organised. The back five or six need to be solid and concentrate on not conceding, whereas the rest of the team need to help get the goals.”

Of his vocal style on the pitch, Ian said: “Ever since I started playing football I have always been like it and have been captain at every club I have played for.”

Saturday’s big game at Crabble pits Dover against early pace setters Salisbury City but Simpemba said: “We see it as simply another game. It will be tough, but whatever the result the title will not be settled this early on in the season.”

Whites go into the game with only one home league win to their name this season. Ian gave his theory: “Away from home, teams tend to come at us more and move up the pitch, whereas at home they tend to park the bus and hit us on the counter attack. It makes it difficult for us to unlock the defence.

“With the creative players we have, like Barry Cogan and Daryl McMahon, it won’t be long before we start to string some home wins together.”

*Lpic1*The commanding defender, who has developed an impressive partnership with fellow centre-back Danny Webb, with whom he previously played alongside at Havant and Waterlooville, hailed the defensive influence of Assistance Manager and former Premier League player Steve Brown.

Ian said: “You only have to listen to him for five minutes before you realise all the Dover defenders are so privileged.”

He also praised the quality of the squad Nicky Forster has assembled and the competition for places it brings.

“Every footballer wants to see the best players join their club; the quality of training is better and it keeps everyone on top of their game. If you lose your place in the side, you might not get it back for eight or nine games.”

Ian used the recent signing of Daryl McMahon from Eastleigh as a prime example: “The club signing a quality player like Daryl gives everyone a lift; he is the best player in the league.”

*BS*Vice captain Ian Simpemba spoke to doverathletic.com ahead of Saturday’s big game about the secret of promotion and the quality in Whites’ squad.*BF*

Simpemba, who has experienced promotion from Conference South on two previous occasions with Lewes and Ebbsfleet, shared his view on Dover’s best chance of getting back into the Conference.

“50-60% of the game is about being organised. The back five or six need to be solid and concentrate on not conceding, whereas the rest of the team need to help get the goals.”

Of his vocal style on the pitch, Ian said: “Ever since I started playing football I have always been like it and have been captain at every club I have played for.”

Saturday’s big game at Crabble pits Dover against early pace setters Salisbury City but Simpemba said: “We see it as simply another game. It will be tough, but whatever the result the title will not be settled this early on in the season.”

Whites go into the game with only one home league win to their name this season. Ian gave his theory: “Away from home, teams tend to come at us more and move up the pitch, whereas at home they tend to park the bus and hit us on the counter attack. It makes it difficult for us to unlock the defence.

“With the creative players we have, like Barry Cogan and Daryl McMahon, it won’t be long before we start to string some home wins together.”

*Lpic1*The commanding defender, who has developed an impressive partnership with fellow centre-back Danny Webb, with whom he previously played alongside at Havant and Waterlooville, hailed the defensive influence of Assistance Manager and former Premier League player Steve Brown.

Ian said: “You only have to listen to him for five minutes before you realise all the Dover defenders are so privileged.”

He also praised the quality of the squad Nicky Forster has assembled and the competition for places it brings.

“Every footballer wants to see the best players join their club; the quality of training is better and it keeps everyone on top of their game. If you lose your place in the side, you might not get it back for eight or nine games.”

Ian used the recent signing of Daryl McMahon from Eastleigh as a prime example: “The club signing a quality player like Daryl gives everyone a lift; he is the best player in the league.”