*BS*DOVER ATHLETIC have the Cards marked on the opening day of the season.

*BF*Whites kick-off their season against our play-off conquerors Woking at Kingsmead on Saturday August 14.

The club then entertain Welling on Tuesday, August 17 at home.

Our Christmas and New Year games are against Bromley.

We travel there on Boxing Day and they make the return trip on New Year’s Day.

Tasty fixtures against Dartford are on Tuesday November 9 (h) and Monday April 25 (a).

Our derbies against old friends Ebbsfleet take place on Tuesday August 24 (a) and Saturday January 29 (h).

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*BS*MARTIN HAYES has told Sammy Moore and Dean Hill that they will not be offered new deals until he has seen them in action.

*BF*Jon Wallis and Matt Fish were not signed by the new Whites boss – and penned deals that had been offered to them before his arrival at the club.

Talented midfielder Moore, 22, was offered a new contract by former boss Andy Hessenthaler.

The deal was not signed at the time because the former Ipswich and Brentford ace wanted to discuss the possibility of playing in his more preferred central position.

However Hess left to take the Gillingham manager’s job and Ian Hendon took over.

Hendon was away on holiday for two weeks of his 18-day tenure – although Moore did agree to sign a new deal.

But the newly-appointed Whites chief shot out of the Crabble door the moment Hessenthaler offered him the No2 job at Priestfield before Moore was able to sign.

Moore wanted to ink a new deal this week and attended a meeting with boss Hayes on Tuesday night.

But Hayes admitted: “We’ve put all contract offers that had not been agreed before I came on hold.

“I want to know who I’m actually offering contracts to. I am not saying that anyone from last season’s squad are not the kind of player I want.

“But it’s vital that I see everyone in action. So I’ve told Sammy and Dean that they are welcome to come to pre-season training next Thursday and I want to see them in a few games first, before offering them deals.

“We’ve withdrawn contract offers that weren’t agreed between club and player before I came.

“A big bulk of our budget has been spent already on players currently at the club – and any new manager likes to bring his own players in. But if I like the lads who are at the club, then obviously I will sign them. Everyone will get a fair chance with me.

*Ppic1*“But it really is a case of wanting to assess who I am offering deals to. It’s nothing personal against Sammy or Dean – it was only that their deals had not been agreed yet, whereas Matt Fish and Jon Wallis had committed already.

“If Sammy and Dean turn up to pre-season, show me they want to play for Dover Athletic and they’re good players, then of course I will be offering them new contracts. No doubt about that at all.

“We want hungry players and if they are these type and want to play for me and Dover they’ll be there. And I really hope they do come back. Everyone – even those who have a deal – are on trial to show me they should be in my starting XI.”

Martin says he is impressed with the training facilities at Abbey School – which, for Blue Square South level, are among some of the best.

He said: “I know what facilities you get at this level and some are very basic. The Abbey School is really good. We’ve got our own area, which no-one else uses and we’ve got a gym there too.

“Believe me, for Blue Square South level, it’s good.”

Martin – who runs a mobile solutions company with a pal – says he will continue to train the players twice a week, although there will be no time limit on the sessions.

He said: “We’ll finish our sessions when we’re finished. It may take 30 minutes, it may take a few hours!

“But we may try to sneak in the odd extra session if we can – although that will be something we will discuss with the squad first.”

Martin plans to watch pro reserve and youth matches, played in the afternoons around the regions.

He said: “Luckily my job works nicely around the football, so I will have plenty of time for scouting and networking.

“I’ve got contacts at most pro clubs in the area. OK, of course, I have mates at Arsenal, Spurs and West Ham – but you have to remember not many of their players want to drop down to our level.

“West Ham have helped me out a bit in the past. I’ve got friends at Dagenham, Barnet and of course Gillingham – although I’m not sure if that telephone line has been cut off!

“Certainly I will be calling on help in the loan market if we have any serious injury problems.”

*BS*MARTIN HAYES has told Sammy Moore and Dean Hill that they will not be offered new deals until he has seen them in action.

*BF*Jon Wallis and Matt Fish were not signed by the new Whites boss – and penned deals that had been offered to them before his arrival at the club.

Talented midfielder Moore, 22, was offered a new contract by former boss Andy Hessenthaler.

The deal was not signed at the time because the former Ipswich and Brentford ace wanted to discuss the possibility of playing in his more preferred central position.

However Hess left to take the Gillingham manager’s job and Ian Hendon took over.

Hendon was away on holiday for two weeks of his 18-day tenure – although Moore did agree to sign a new deal.

But the newly-appointed Whites chief shot out of the Crabble door the moment Hessenthaler offered him the No2 job at Priestfield before Moore was able to sign.

Moore wanted to ink a new deal this week and attended a meeting with boss Hayes on Tuesday night.

But Hayes admitted: “We’ve put all contract offers that had not been agreed before I came on hold.

“I want to know who I’m actually offering contracts to. I am not saying that anyone from last season’s squad are not the kind of player I want.

“But it’s vital that I see everyone in action. So I’ve told Sammy and Dean that they are welcome to come to pre-season training next Thursday and I want to see them in a few games first, before offering them deals.

“We’ve withdrawn contract offers that weren’t agreed between club and player before I came.

“A big bulk of our budget has been spent already on players currently at the club – and any new manager likes to bring his own players in. But if I like the lads who are at the club, then obviously I will sign them. Everyone will get a fair chance with me.

*Ppic1*“But it really is a case of wanting to assess who I am offering deals to. It’s nothing personal against Sammy or Dean – it was only that their deals had not been agreed yet, whereas Matt Fish and Jon Wallis had committed already.

“If Sammy and Dean turn up to pre-season, show me they want to play for Dover Athletic and they’re good players, then of course I will be offering them new contracts. No doubt about that at all.

“We want hungry players and if they are these type and want to play for me and Dover they’ll be there. And I really hope they do come back. Everyone – even those who have a deal – are on trial to show me they should be in my starting XI.”

Martin says he is impressed with the training facilities at Abbey School – which, for Blue Square South level, are among some of the best.

He said: “I know what facilities you get at this level and some are very basic. The Abbey School is really good. We’ve got our own area, which no-one else uses and we’ve got a gym there too.

“Believe me, for Blue Square South level, it’s good.”

Martin – who runs a mobile solutions company with a pal – says he will continue to train the players twice a week, although there will be no time limit on the sessions.

He said: “We’ll finish our sessions when we’re finished. It may take 30 minutes, it may take a few hours!

“But we may try to sneak in the odd extra session if we can – although that will be something we will discuss with the squad first.”

Martin plans to watch pro reserve and youth matches, played in the afternoons around the regions.

He said: “Luckily my job works nicely around the football, so I will have plenty of time for scouting and networking.

“I’ve got contacts at most pro clubs in the area. OK, of course, I have mates at Arsenal, Spurs and West Ham – but you have to remember not many of their players want to drop down to our level.

“West Ham have helped me out a bit in the past. I’ve got friends at Dagenham, Barnet and of course Gillingham – although I’m not sure if that telephone line has been cut off!

“Certainly I will be calling on help in the loan market if we have any serious injury problems.”

[utube]
Martin Hayes meets the press for the first time as Dover Athletic Manager. Full video highlights of the press conference.

[utube]
Martin Hayes meets the press for the first time as Dover Athletic Manager. Full video highlights of the press conference.

*BS*ANDY HESSENTHALER has today left Dover Athletic by mutual consent.

*BF*The Whites boss has had a stunning three years at Crabble – guiding the club to two league titles and a Blue Square South runners-up spot in successive seasons.

Hess will go down as one of the most successful managers in Dover’s history and will be a tough act to follow.

Chairman Jim Parmenter told doverathletic.com this morning: “We had a very amicable meeting yesterday where we discussed his future at the club in light of the approach from Gillingham.

“We agreed that it was in Dover Athletic’s interest – and his – that we had a swift outcome to this as any uncertainty is not good.

“Andy agreed and slept on it overnight – and he decided it was in the best interests of all concerned that he moves on.

“I place on record our gratitude to Andy. His achievements at this club have been nothing short of amazing.

“He goes with our very best wishes and I would like to say that he has acted very professionally in all my dealings with him. It’s been a pleasure to work with Andy.”

Hess admitted it has been a very tough week and that he was leaving the club with incredible memories.

He said: “I’m leaving with a very heavy heart. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I’ve not had much sleep these past few days. I’ve had to put a lot of thought into this decision because my time at Dover Athletic has been amazing.

“From the day I walked in, I’ve had a great relationship with the chairman, the board and all the fans, who have been first class to me.

“Together we’ve achieved so much – and the five-year plan of getting this club back into the Blue Square Premier has not finished because I’m leaving.

“Whoever comes in, he will have another two years to finish the job – and that is going to happen because Dover Athletic have that ambition and the chairman is backing that.

“I hope fans understand that I’ve always been clear that if I had the chance to take a job in the Football League, I’d like the opportunity to go for it.

“I’m sure a lot of people have sometime in their lives had the chance to land a job promotion. This move is what I see it as – a job promotion.

“And wherever I eventually end up during my managerial career my relationship with Dover Athletic and the chairman remains very good. I will always be a friend off-the-pitch to Jim Parmenter and the club … as well as in the football business too.

“I will always help DAFC in any way I can.”

Dover Athletic hope to appoint a new manager quickly and the Whites chairman says he is talking to one candidate within the next 24 hours.

He said: “I’ve already had CVs sent to me and taken a couple of calls. We’ll be looking to get an experienced top manager in place very quickly.”

*BS*ANDY HESSENTHALER has today left Dover Athletic by mutual consent.

*BF*The Whites boss has had a stunning three years at Crabble – guiding the club to two league titles and a Blue Square South runners-up spot in successive seasons.

Hess will go down as one of the most successful managers in Dover’s history and will be a tough act to follow.

Chairman Jim Parmenter told doverathletic.com this morning: “We had a very amicable meeting yesterday where we discussed his future at the club in light of the approach from Gillingham.

“We agreed that it was in Dover Athletic’s interest – and his – that we had a swift outcome to this as any uncertainty is not good.

“Andy agreed and slept on it overnight – and he decided it was in the best interests of all concerned that he moves on.

“I place on record our gratitude to Andy. His achievements at this club have been nothing short of amazing.

“He goes with our very best wishes and I would like to say that he has acted very professionally in all my dealings with him. It’s been a pleasure to work with Andy.”

Hess admitted it has been a very tough week and that he was leaving the club with incredible memories.

He said: “I’m leaving with a very heavy heart. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I’ve not had much sleep these past few days. I’ve had to put a lot of thought into this decision because my time at Dover Athletic has been amazing.

“From the day I walked in, I’ve had a great relationship with the chairman, the board and all the fans, who have been first class to me.

“Together we’ve achieved so much – and the five-year plan of getting this club back into the Blue Square Premier has not finished because I’m leaving.

“Whoever comes in, he will have another two years to finish the job – and that is going to happen because Dover Athletic have that ambition and the chairman is backing that.

“I hope fans understand that I’ve always been clear that if I had the chance to take a job in the Football League, I’d like the opportunity to go for it.

“I’m sure a lot of people have sometime in their lives had the chance to land a job promotion. This move is what I see it as – a job promotion.

“And wherever I eventually end up during my managerial career my relationship with Dover Athletic and the chairman remains very good. I will always be a friend off-the-pitch to Jim Parmenter and the club … as well as in the football business too.

“I will always help DAFC in any way I can.”

Dover Athletic hope to appoint a new manager quickly and the Whites chairman says he is talking to one candidate within the next 24 hours.

He said: “I’ve already had CVs sent to me and taken a couple of calls. We’ll be looking to get an experienced top manager in place very quickly.”

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*BS*ANDY HESSENTHALER says the speculation linking him with a return to Gillingham has been an unwelcome distraction from the important business of planning a promotion push next season.

*BF*The Whites boss had to field calls all day yesterday – and again today – from journalists desperate to land the scoop of who Paul Scally is going to appoint as Gills boss.

Hess once again reiterated: “I’ve had absolutely no contact with Gillingham. They’ve not called me and I’m not expecting a call.

“I had a great time at Gillingham and the fans there have put me in the frame, and that’s very nice of them.

“Of course, I want to get back into the Football League one day again and my chairman won’t stand in my way – but Gillingham have not contacted me and I’m only interested in my job as Dover Athletic manager.”

Hess confirmed he is releasing John Whitehouse, Jake Leberl, Danny Walder and Frannie Collin.

He said: “Frannie is the big eye-opener I’m sure. He’s been superb for us, scoring a lot of goals.

“But I just feel Frannie needs a new challenge – and I’m going to be helping him get a new club. He won’t be short of offers because he’s a brilliant player.”

“Danny’s come here and not done much wrong – but we’ve offered Matt Fish a new deal and I don’t see Danny ahead of him.

“John Whitehouse is a fans’ favourite and again done well during his time here but Lee Hook and Ross Flitney are ahead of him – and John needs to be playing.

“And Jake has done brilliant. His attitude has been good. But football may not be his biggest priority now after having a baby. He’s a terrific lad, struggled a bit with injuries and we need to cut our cloth to have funds to freshen things up.

“He certainly goes with our very best wishes – as do all the boys!”

Lee Hook is having a minor knee operation this summer but remains on the transfer list.

Craig Cloke will be offered an incentive pay-as-you-play deal due to his injury problems – while the rest of the squad have been offered new contracts.

Hess said: “We fell just short of going up. I don’t think we will have a Newport type of team in there next season and the title race will be much closer.

“I’ve got irons in the fire and am talking to a couple of lads next week. We needed to free up some funds to bring new players in – and that’s what we’re doing.”