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*BS*JIM PARMENTER is asking Dover fans a serious question: Do you really WANT Conference football?

*BF*League crowds are way below last season’s average – all in a campaign when Dover Athletic reached the third-round of the FA Cup after two memorable giantkillings.

With the attendances suffering, Jim is questioning whether a team from Dover can realistically sustain Blue Square Premier football.

He said: “I don’t want to sound as though I am having a go at fans – not at all. However, I am concerned our gates are way down on where we would expect them, getting around 700 for some games – yet we’ve taken 1,800 all the way to Huddersfield.

“Yes, I know we’ve not had the greatest year in terms of our home form – but that happens sometimes in football. We can turn that around, especially if we get big gates to intimidate the opposition.

“I am happy to keep putting money into the club, and invest in its future, but can’t do it all alone. I need the town to show it wants Conference football.

“If it does, then let’s go for it together – because I am very confident we can achieve promotion either this season or next season.

“We’re going for it this season. The team is now on a run of wins and we are really going to push for promotion.

“But when you see small crowds it does make me wonder if the town wants us in the Conference. If it doesn’t, then it’s not worth us taking the promotion if we do grab a Blue Square Premier spot.

“To compete at the higher level against some big clubs, we’re going to need to be averaging 1,500 hardcore and get more than 2,000 for the big games. Otherwise, financially, we’re going to struggle to compete at that level.

“We have spent a lot of money bringing the stadium up to standard and everything is ready. We just need to put a team out on the park that can compete at that level but we need that support to make it happen.

“I really hope the fans can turn up in numbers again and make Crabble a formidable place to come.”

*BS*JIM PARMENTER is asking Dover fans a serious question: Do you really WANT Conference football?

*BF*League crowds are way below last season’s average – all in a campaign when Dover Athletic reached the third-round of the FA Cup after two memorable giantkillings.

With the attendances suffering, Jim is questioning whether a team from Dover can realistically sustain Blue Square Premier football.

He said: “I don’t want to sound as though I am having a go at fans – not at all. However, I am concerned our gates are way down on where we would expect them, getting around 700 for some games – yet we’ve taken 1,800 all the way to Huddersfield.

“Yes, I know we’ve not had the greatest year in terms of our home form – but that happens sometimes in football. We can turn that around, especially if we get big gates to intimidate the opposition.

“I am happy to keep putting money into the club, and invest in its future, but can’t do it all alone. I need the town to show it wants Conference football.

“If it does, then let’s go for it together – because I am very confident we can achieve promotion either this season or next season.

“We’re going for it this season. The team is now on a run of wins and we are really going to push for promotion.

“But when you see small crowds it does make me wonder if the town wants us in the Conference. If it doesn’t, then it’s not worth us taking the promotion if we do grab a Blue Square Premier spot.

“To compete at the higher level against some big clubs, we’re going to need to be averaging 1,500 hardcore and get more than 2,000 for the big games. Otherwise, financially, we’re going to struggle to compete at that level.

“We have spent a lot of money bringing the stadium up to standard and everything is ready. We just need to put a team out on the park that can compete at that level but we need that support to make it happen.

“I really hope the fans can turn up in numbers again and make Crabble a formidable place to come.”

*BS*Latest news from around the clubs in Blue Square Bet South, including good news for Welling, a Saint leaving Maidenhead and Woking on a hot streak of form.*BF*

In the league table, Braintree are champions-elect, inspired by top scorer Sean Marks and defensive organisation.

The play-off spots are up for grabs, with eight teams competing for four places. Ebbsfleet and Farnborough are favourites to quality but the other two spots are wide open.

*BS*Woking in top form*BF*

The Cards have not conceded a goal in Blue Square Bet South for seven games, including a 3-0 win against high-flying Ebbsfleet on Tuesday.

Woking are showing signs of improving up front too. The hard working Elvis Hammond leads the line superbly and is supported by the pacey Moses Ademola. This leaves Craig Faulconbridge and Dave Gilroy to make an impact from the bench.

Loanee Keiron Murtagh has been a key figure in recent weeks. The Wycombe Wanderers midfielder has extended his stay at Kingfield for another month.

On the negative side, influential centre back Joe McNerney is facing a three-game ban in March.

*BS*Wings finally get some good news*BF*

*Lpic1*Welling United have reached an agreement with HMRC to pay off monies owed in tax and reduce the club’s debt.

The Kent club is now approaching the Football Conference to request that its transfer embargo is lifted.

Welling announced in an official statement: “The exact details of the arrangement will be explained to the Lenders Representative(s) and the Supporters Association Representative later this month.”

*BS*Eastleigh happy with progress under Baird*BF*

The Spitfires have extended manager Ian Baird’s contract by two years, showing faith in the man who has made them one of the toughest sides to beat at this level.

Eastleigh’s official statement said: “We look forward to sustaining the progress we have made over the past three and a half years whilst Ian has been with us.”

*BS*’Saint’ in shock departure*BF*

Maidenhead have released talented flair player Kieron St. Aimie, who scored an 89th minute equaliser at Perrys Crabble when Maidenhead grabbed two late goals to stun the crowd and earn a 2-2 draw.

Also leaving York Road is Sam Collins, who has been loaned to Ryman Premier side AFC Hornchurch to regain form and fitness.

*BS*Latest news from around the clubs in Blue Square Bet South, including good news for Welling, a Saint leaving Maidenhead and Woking on a hot streak of form.*BF*

In the league table, Braintree are champions-elect, inspired by top scorer Sean Marks and defensive organisation.

The play-off spots are up for grabs, with eight teams competing for four places. Ebbsfleet and Farnborough are favourites to quality but the other two spots are wide open.

*BS*Woking in top form*BF*

The Cards have not conceded a goal in Blue Square Bet South for seven games, including a 3-0 win against high-flying Ebbsfleet on Tuesday.

Woking are showing signs of improving up front too. The hard working Elvis Hammond leads the line superbly and is supported by the pacey Moses Ademola. This leaves Craig Faulconbridge and Dave Gilroy to make an impact from the bench.

Loanee Keiron Murtagh has been a key figure in recent weeks. The Wycombe Wanderers midfielder has extended his stay at Kingfield for another month.

On the negative side, influential centre back Joe McNerney is facing a three-game ban in March.

*BS*Wings finally get some good news*BF*

*Lpic1*Welling United have reached an agreement with HMRC to pay off monies owed in tax and reduce the club’s debt.

The Kent club is now approaching the Football Conference to request that its transfer embargo is lifted.

Welling announced in an official statement: “The exact details of the arrangement will be explained to the Lenders Representative(s) and the Supporters Association Representative later this month.”

*BS*Eastleigh happy with progress under Baird*BF*

The Spitfires have extended manager Ian Baird’s contract by two years, showing faith in the man who has made them one of the toughest sides to beat at this level.

Eastleigh’s official statement said: “We look forward to sustaining the progress we have made over the past three and a half years whilst Ian has been with us.”

*BS*’Saint’ in shock departure*BF*

Maidenhead have released talented flair player Kieron St. Aimie, who scored an 89th minute equaliser at Perrys Crabble when Maidenhead grabbed two late goals to stun the crowd and earn a 2-2 draw.

Also leaving York Road is Sam Collins, who has been loaned to Ryman Premier side AFC Hornchurch to regain form and fitness.

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