*BS*DOVER ATHLETIC have overcome, or simply ignored, many precedents under the management of Andy Hessenthaler and Darren Hare this season.*BF*

Met Police had been victorious at Crabble on both of their previous visits in 05/06 and 06/07, yet Whites swaggered to a 5-2 home win earlier this season. The November stumble followed by January and February nightmare of the previous two years was also disregarded as results have remained consistently positive throughout, barring a four-game blip at the turn of the year.

Another vital change has been the ability to take points against the top teams. Losses against Tooting (away), Fleet (twice), Dulwich (away) and Met Police (twice), as well as draws that should have been wins against Hastings (away), Dartford (twice) and Maidstone (away), prevented Whites from winning the title quite comfortably last season.

Under Hess and Hare wins have been gained against every side currently in the top seven of Ryman South and of course there have been no losses against any side currently in the top 17.

One more precedent to be overcome this season could be achieved tomorrow (Saturday). Dover haven’t managed a goal, let alone a win at Leatherhead in the past few years. In 05/06 Whites should have won but that game will be remembered for Danny Chapman’s mindless sending off which ruled him out of the play-off final at Tonbridge. Last season stand-in boss Terry White admitted to being happy with a 0-0 draw, and Dover never looked interested in going against that.

Happier days we are fortunate to be in, however, and it will no doubt be just another game for Hess’s men in their journey to, as John Keister described it earlier this week, “what everyone wants”.

On both previous visits to Fetcham Grove, Leatherhead have looked lively going forward and happy to play the offside trap to its limit at the back. The main protagonists in attack will be the same this weekend. Dave Stevens, recently returned from Met Police, will try to hold the ball up for the Tanners and utilise his unconventional style in the pursuit of goals. He scored at Crabble in the aforementioned 5-2 beating of Met Police in October.

*Ppic1*The Tanners tend to focus their forward play through the talented feet of Steve Sargent on the right wing. A target for several clubs last season including Dover, he is the son of Dave Sargent, who figured in the club’s famous FA Cup run in 1975.

Leatherhead are likely to be a tough nut to crack but they have been lower-mid-table fodder throughout a disappointing season. Having finished 10th and 11th in the previous two seaons, the Tanners were expected to fight for a play-off place this time. However, a lack of squad depth and an inability to ripple the net has held them back. At home Leatherhead have been particularly dour, scoring just 18 times in 17 matches.

The return of Frannie Collin to the starting line-up will provide Athletic with increased confidence ahead of Saturday’s trip and the visit of Ashford to White Cliffs country on Monday afternoon. Collin scored two goals of a quality rarely seen at this level in Dover’s 2-1 win on a mud-heap of a pitch at Homelands on Boxing Day.

Whites have been indebted to their top goalscorer in several tight matches this season. Hessenthaler though will have been pleased to see Shaun Welford take on the mantle of match-winning goalscorer in recent weeks whilst Collin has eased back to fitness after a hamstring strain.

Welford and Collin will continue to develop their partnership, as well as their link-up play with new boy James Simmonds, this weekend. The signs for the front pair were promising last Saturday when they combined after three minutes to put Dover 1-0 up. Using their individual qualities, very different to each others, to great effect; Collin spun away from his marker tight to the byline in trademark fashion and chipped a beautiful cross to the near-post, where Welford used his physical presence to leap past a defender and thump in a diving header.

Dover’s options in all areas of the pitch haven’t looked better and more varied for many a year. This is highlighted by the current injury situation. How many teams at this level could play to such a consistently high standard without three players of the quality of Craig Wilkins, Lee Browning and Alan Pouton. Add in James Rogers and Craig Cloke, and you have a list of five first-team regulars unavailable to Hessenthaler last weekend.

*Lpic1*The players who have replaced them have grabbed their chance though. Laurence Ball has been commanding in the air and more than comfortable in possession, playing beyond his years at the back. Young reserve Steve O’Brien also showed in his brief cameo last Saturday that he has the ability on the ball to stake a claim for a place in the first team squad next season.

Ashford’s ex-Dover contingent will no doubt be keen to prevent any chance of early celebrations for Athletic this season. Their Easter Monday visit should attract a four-figure crowd for a game important for both teams.

Steve Lovell’s side are still clinging onto the hope of a play-off berth and their recent form is good, having beaten Met Police and Walton & Hersham in their last two games. Seven former Whites appeared in both squad’s. Nicky Humphrey and Daniel Braithwaite have been regulars at full back, whilst Danny Lye is currently being deployed at centre back. Anthony Hogg has arrived from Sittingbourne to add some more creativity in midfield, while Mark Lovell is of course up front. Walid Matata and Tony Browne have been on the subs bench.

Key to Dover’s title prospects will be the continued defensive stability and dominance in midfield. Pouton and Hessenthaler are likely to share the load this weekend, with two games in three days too much for either of them at present. Leatherhead and Ashford will have to be at their best, you would think, to see a lot of the ball.

Tooting’s postponed match this afternoon (Friday) means that the title race is certain to go on beyond Easter Monday but a good pair of results for Dover would put the finishing line firmly in their sights.

*BS*ANDY HESSENTHALER insists that his young team is still very much “work in progress”.

*BF*John Keister this week praised his young team-mates who have taken Dover to the brink of the Ryman League Division One South title – and insisted: “They deserve all the credit.”

Player-boss Hess could not agree more and believes the team will only get better.

He said: “I agree with what John said – although he is being very modest about his own contribution because he’s been superb this season.

“We’ve got a good mix of young players with experienced heads such as myself, Alan Pouton and John Keister. The youngsters have done superbly well and they are going to improve.

“If we get promoted, we’re not going to rest on our laurels. I want us to be competing at the top of the Premier Division as well. That’s exactly what a club like this should be doing.

“There’s still a job to be done this season as we’re not quite over the line yet, but the team has done fantastic when you consider it’s almost like a new club.

“Of course, there’s still a few players who were here last season, but Dover Athletic has had a change in management with myself and Darren Hare coming in and then you’ve got all the new lads who have joined the club.

“The players are getting better with every match and will only grow as a team.”

Frannie Collin and Jon Wallis are two players who are out of contract in the summer – but Hess admits he will sit down with the pair “when the time is right” to discuss new deals.

He said: “I’ve heard that some people don’t believe discussing contracts, and such like, are distracting. But they are.

*Lpic1*”We’ve still got a title to win and no-one is thinking about their contract situation. Once the dust is settled and we get over the line, we will start sorting things out.

“Jon and Frannie have been fantastic. They’ve both played a big part in what we’ve achieved this season and Dover Athletic is a club that wants to go even further forward.

“Rest assured, I’ve already got one eye on next season and have done for several months now. It’s important to start planning way ahead so it’s gives you an advantage over other clubs in the summer.”

Whites travel to Leatherhead on Saturday before taking on Ashford at Crabble on Bank Holiday Monday.

And Hess said: “We’ve got a difficult run-in. These two games will not be easy. Both have little to play for so will be relaxed – and Ashford of course have a number of ex-Dover players in their ranks. They will be up for it big-time.”

*BS*ANDY HESSENTHALER insists that his young team is still very much “work in progress”.

*BF*John Keister this week praised his young team-mates who have taken Dover to the brink of the Ryman League Division One South title – and insisted: “They deserve all the credit.”

Player-boss Hess could not agree more and believes the team will only get better.

He said: “I agree with what John said – although he is being very modest about his own contribution because he’s been superb this season.

“We’ve got a good mix of young players with experienced heads such as myself, Alan Pouton and John Keister. The youngsters have done superbly well and they are going to improve.

“If we get promoted, we’re not going to rest on our laurels. I want us to be competing at the top of the Premier Division as well. That’s exactly what a club like this should be doing.

“There’s still a job to be done this season as we’re not quite over the line yet, but the team has done fantastic when you consider it’s almost like a new club.

“Of course, there’s still a few players who were here last season, but Dover Athletic has had a change in management with myself and Darren Hare coming in and then you’ve got all the new lads who have joined the club.

“The players are getting better with every match and will only grow as a team.”

Frannie Collin and Jon Wallis are two players who are out of contract in the summer – but Hess admits he will sit down with the pair “when the time is right” to discuss new deals.

He said: “I’ve heard that some people don’t believe discussing contracts, and such like, are distracting. But they are.

*Lpic1*”We’ve still got a title to win and no-one is thinking about their contract situation. Once the dust is settled and we get over the line, we will start sorting things out.

“Jon and Frannie have been fantastic. They’ve both played a big part in what we’ve achieved this season and Dover Athletic is a club that wants to go even further forward.

“Rest assured, I’ve already got one eye on next season and have done for several months now. It’s important to start planning way ahead so it’s gives you an advantage over other clubs in the summer.”

Whites travel to Leatherhead on Saturday before taking on Ashford at Crabble on Bank Holiday Monday.

And Hess said: “We’ve got a difficult run-in. These two games will not be easy. Both have little to play for so will be relaxed – and Ashford of course have a number of ex-Dover players in their ranks. They will be up for it big-time.”

*BS*ANDY HESSENTHALER has urged his Dover team not to miss the bus – and with it a ride to glory.

*BF*Whites, 10 points clear of Tooting and Mitcham in the Ryman One title race, are within touching distance of reversing the bad fortune that has engulfed Crabble this decade.

And, with chairman Jim Parmenter providing free travel for fans to the showdown at Tooting a week on Saturday, Hessenthaler wants to make sure his players secure their ticket to promotion.

Before all the hype that will inevitably surround that game in South London, Dover host Chipstead – yet another potential banana skin tossed in front of Whites on their thrilling chase for a first league title in 15 years.

“Chipstead will not be easy,” warned the Dover boss, “they have been in good form recently and will come here confident of getting something from the game.”

Injuries to Lee Browning and Frannie Collin, who “thankfully has not torn his hamstring” says Hessenthaler, will significantly weaken Dover’s hand. Browning’s knee injury is not too serious but it is uncertain how much time will be needed for Collin to recover after he pulled up early on during the 2-0 win at Corinthian-Casuals last weekend.

“Both players have been fantastic for us,” admitted Hessenthaler, “but we’ve got to cope without them, so that means challenges will now be presented to players that will come in to replace them.”

The Gillingham legend is considering bringing himself back into the side to replace Browning. “I’ve played in the hole behind the front two strikers many times throughout my career with the Gills, and is somewhere I’m very comfortable playing,” he said. “The team has been playing so well recently, I’ve enjoyed watching and not needed to play much – but I am ready if I feel that I am going to help us win matches.”

Hessenthaler also suggested he will draft in promising talent from the youth ranks at Crabble to the squad. Steve O’Brien and Duncan Bishop have impressed and will almost certainly be on the bench.

The Dover boss said: “I’ve no qualms about including these two boys in the squad. They’ve been superb for the reserves and deserve their chance.”

Some supporters, naturally, have been getting carried away with the healthy lead at the top, but that advantage can be likened to a team being 2-0 ahead at half-time; it only needs taking one’s eye of the ball for a moment, and the opponents are back in the game.

And this is exactly Hessenthaler’s point.

“You simply cannot afford to think that the title is won yet,” he said. “If we slip up against Chipstead, and Tooting win, at the weekend, we’re only seven points clear. Then if they beat us and win their game in hand, our lead will be reduced to just one point. There is a very real danger of that happening if we don’t keep working hard.

“It’s happened already this season. We were seemingly coasting and built up a lead, then suddenly we drew a few games, and lost one, and Tooting were right back in it.”

In case you did not know, any fan attending the Chipstead game can claim a free coach ticket to Tooting the following week. Simply pop into the club shop and each supporter will receive a free coach ticket. Any additional tickets for friends who cannot make the Chipstead game can be obtained in return for a £9 donation to the Centre Spot 2008 Fund.

*Link1*

*BS*ANDY HESSENTHALER has urged his Dover team not to miss the bus – and with it a ride to glory.

*BF*Whites, 10 points clear of Tooting and Mitcham in the Ryman One title race, are within touching distance of reversing the bad fortune that has engulfed Crabble this decade.

And, with chairman Jim Parmenter providing free travel for fans to the showdown at Tooting a week on Saturday, Hessenthaler wants to make sure his players secure their ticket to promotion.

Before all the hype that will inevitably surround that game in South London, Dover host Chipstead – yet another potential banana skin tossed in front of Whites on their thrilling chase for a first league title in 15 years.

“Chipstead will not be easy,” warned the Dover boss, “they have been in good form recently and will come here confident of getting something from the game.”

Injuries to Lee Browning and Frannie Collin, who “thankfully has not torn his hamstring” says Hessenthaler, will significantly weaken Dover’s hand. Browning’s knee injury is not too serious but it is uncertain how much time will be needed for Collin to recover after he pulled up early on during the 2-0 win at Corinthian-Casuals last weekend.

“Both players have been fantastic for us,” admitted Hessenthaler, “but we’ve got to cope without them, so that means challenges will now be presented to players that will come in to replace them.”

The Gillingham legend is considering bringing himself back into the side to replace Browning. “I’ve played in the hole behind the front two strikers many times throughout my career with the Gills, and is somewhere I’m very comfortable playing,” he said. “The team has been playing so well recently, I’ve enjoyed watching and not needed to play much – but I am ready if I feel that I am going to help us win matches.”

Hessenthaler also suggested he will draft in promising talent from the youth ranks at Crabble to the squad. Steve O’Brien and Duncan Bishop have impressed and will almost certainly be on the bench.

The Dover boss said: “I’ve no qualms about including these two boys in the squad. They’ve been superb for the reserves and deserve their chance.”

Some supporters, naturally, have been getting carried away with the healthy lead at the top, but that advantage can be likened to a team being 2-0 ahead at half-time; it only needs taking one’s eye of the ball for a moment, and the opponents are back in the game.

And this is exactly Hessenthaler’s point.

“You simply cannot afford to think that the title is won yet,” he said. “If we slip up against Chipstead, and Tooting win, at the weekend, we’re only seven points clear. Then if they beat us and win their game in hand, our lead will be reduced to just one point. There is a very real danger of that happening if we don’t keep working hard.

“It’s happened already this season. We were seemingly coasting and built up a lead, then suddenly we drew a few games, and lost one, and Tooting were right back in it.”

In case you did not know, any fan attending the Chipstead game can claim a free coach ticket to Tooting the following week. Simply pop into the club shop and each supporter will receive a free coach ticket. Any additional tickets for friends who cannot make the Chipstead game can be obtained in return for a £9 donation to the Centre Spot 2008 Fund.

*Link1*

*BS*DOVER ATHLETIC are pleased to announce further details of the club’s offer of coach travel to Tooting on March 1, when Dover take on their title rivals in Ryman South.*BF*

Last Sunday chairman Jim Parmenter pledged to pay for supporters’ travel to the top-of-the-table clash – offering a free ticket to every season ticket holder and anyone who attends Whites’ home game against Chipstead on Saturday, February 23.

Preparations for the trip are complicated so in order to organise efficiently, the following arrangements have been put in place:

1) Coaches need to be pre-booked well in advance so tickets will only be available at the times stated.
2) As many coaches as required will be provided and lettered alphabeticaly.
3) Each ticket will also have a passenger number depending on the number of seats on the particular coach.
4) Each coach will be completely filled before another is contracted on a first-come first-served basis. But all those who want tickets will be guaranteed travel.
5) Passengers will be required to sign for their ticket.
6) Coaches will be ready for boarding at Crabble by 11.00am for departure at 11.30am. There will be no other pick-up points.
7) Strictly no alcohol on board of the coaches(stewards will be on hand).
8) Coaches will depart Tooting 15 to 20 minutes after the final whistle.

Arrangements for such an event are complex so we hope supporters understand the need for these requirements.

The trip has been arranged by volounteers – our thanks go to Steve Parmenter, Debbie Harrison and Paul Harrison for their hard work.

*Link1*

*BS*DOVER ATHLETIC chairman Jim Parmenter will PAY for EVERY Dover supporter who wishes to travel to our top-of-the-table clash at Tooting by coach.

*BF*Jim will book and pay for as many coaches as are needed to ferry our entire fanbase from Crabble to South London on Saturday, March 1.

All you have to do to pick up your free ticket is attend the Chipstead home match on Saturday, February 23 – and visit the club shop between 1pm and 2:30pm.

Strictly only one ticket will be issued to each person. Coach departure times will also be advertised.

Jim told doverathletic.com: “The fans have been terrific this season, supporting the club home and away.

“We want to give something back, as the Tooting game is potentially going to be a vital match which could determine the outcome of the Ryman One title.

“Obviously it would be great for Andy Hessenthaler and the team to be encouraged by as many Dover fans as possible, so we hope that we can take our home crowd to Tooting.

“Wouldn’t it be great if we had 1,000 of our supporters at Tooting to cheer the boys on?”

*BS*Q & A for those who work shifts and cannot attend the Chipstead match, but want to travel to the Tooting game with the fans.

Q: I cannot make the Chipstead game but really want to join the travelling coach party to Tooting.

A: *BF*No, problem.

Ask a friend to collect your ticket at the Chipstead game, but that will only be issued for a £9 donation.

One FREE ticket per person will only be available at the Chipstead home game. But any supporter picking up more than one ticket will need to pay £9 for each additional ticket.

*BS*Q: I’m a season ticket holder but cannot make the Chipstead game.

A: *BF*If you cannot make the Chipstead game, contact us at [email protected] or phone (01304) 822306, leaving your full name, contact telephone number and season ticket number. We will make arrangements with you to ensure you get your ticket.

*Link1*

*BS*DOVER ATHLETIC are pleased to announce further details of the club’s offer of coach travel to Tooting on March 1, when Dover take on their title rivals in Ryman South.*BF*

Last Sunday chairman Jim Parmenter pledged to pay for supporters’ travel to the top-of-the-table clash – offering a free ticket to every season ticket holder and anyone who attends Whites’ home game against Chipstead on Saturday, February 23.

Preparations for the trip are complicated so in order to organise efficiently, the following arrangements have been put in place:

1) Coaches need to be pre-booked well in advance so tickets will only be available at the times stated.
2) As many coaches as required will be provided and lettered alphabeticaly.
3) Each ticket will also have a passenger number depending on the number of seats on the particular coach.
4) Each coach will be completely filled before another is contracted on a first-come first-served basis. But all those who want tickets will be guaranteed travel.
5) Passengers will be required to sign for their ticket.
6) Coaches will be ready for boarding at Crabble by 11.00am for departure at 11.30am. There will be no other pick-up points.
7) Strictly no alcohol on board of the coaches(stewards will be on hand).
8) Coaches will depart Tooting 15 to 20 minutes after the final whistle.

Arrangements for such an event are complex so we hope supporters understand the need for these requirements.

The trip has been arranged by volounteers – our thanks go to Steve Parmenter, Debbie Harrison and Paul Harrison for their hard work.

*Link1*

*BS*DOVER ATHLETIC chairman Jim Parmenter will PAY for EVERY Dover supporter who wishes to travel to our top-of-the-table clash at Tooting by coach.

*BF*Jim will book and pay for as many coaches as are needed to ferry our entire fanbase from Crabble to South London on Saturday, March 1.

All you have to do to pick up your free ticket is attend the Chipstead home match on Saturday, February 23 – and visit the club shop between 1pm and 2:30pm.

Strictly only one ticket will be issued to each person. Coach departure times will also be advertised.

Jim told doverathletic.com: “The fans have been terrific this season, supporting the club home and away.

“We want to give something back, as the Tooting game is potentially going to be a vital match which could determine the outcome of the Ryman One title.

“Obviously it would be great for Andy Hessenthaler and the team to be encouraged by as many Dover fans as possible, so we hope that we can take our home crowd to Tooting.

“Wouldn’t it be great if we had 1,000 of our supporters at Tooting to cheer the boys on?”

*BS*Q & A for those who work shifts and cannot attend the Chipstead match, but want to travel to the Tooting game with the fans.

Q: I cannot make the Chipstead game but really want to join the travelling coach party to Tooting.

A: *BF*No, problem.

Ask a friend to collect your ticket at the Chipstead game, but that will only be issued for a £9 donation.

One FREE ticket per person will only be available at the Chipstead home game. But any supporter picking up more than one ticket will need to pay £9 for each additional ticket.

*BS*Q: I’m a season ticket holder but cannot make the Chipstead game.

A: *BF*If you cannot make the Chipstead game, contact us at [email protected] or phone (01304) 822306, leaving your full name, contact telephone number and season ticket number. We will make arrangements with you to ensure you get your ticket.

*Link1*

*BS*ANDY HESSENTHALER has warned his Dover side not to take their foot off the gas – despite opening up a 10-point lead at the top of the league.

*BF*Second-place Tooting and Mitcham, now the only serious challengers to Dover’s position at the summit of Ryman One, slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Sittingbourne.

But the South London club do have a game in hand and are yet to face Whites at their Imperial Fields ground on March 1. Victory over Dover, along with another three points with their spare game, could see that lead cut to just four.

And boss Hess says nothing can be taken for granted until it is mathematically impossible for anyone to overhaul Dover’s position.

He told the Your Dover newspaper: “If we are not working at 100 per cent then we will not win the league.

“I do believe it is just down to a two-horse race between us and Tooting and the game against them will be crucial.”

Hess also praised striker Jimmy Dryden who scored a hat-trick in the 4-1 demolition of Molesey last week.

He said: “Jimmy has scored a lot of goals this season and has been a vital part of the squad this season.

“I’ve left him out of a few games recently as he was having a bad run but he started to find the net again.

“I brought him back because he gives us a different option up front as he can use his strength and he knows where the goal is.”

Hess also heaped praise on John Whitehouse. He said: “John has settled well in the team and has been brilliant in the few games he has played.

“He is a great shot stopper but probably his best part of his game is that he dominates his area.

“It is important to have a quality goalkeeper if you want to win things. He also brings a healthy competition into the side for our other goalkeeper Dean Ruddy.”