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*BS*THE news this week that the men at the top of the English Premier League intend to hasten the transformation of our National Game into a circus by dragging their over-paid clowns to the other side of the world to play one more meaningless game each season, probably comes as no surprise to some people.

*BF*How often have we heard that players are “too tired” to compete in the early rounds of our national cup competitions, or for poor international performances excused because of “heavy European and domestic commitments”?. Yet still, the Premier League autocrats pursue this farcical plan in the pursuit of yet more money.

Let’s face it, the Premier League is now so remote and aloof they cannot claim to be custodians of the national game anymore. With one individual, who should remain nameless, claiming “Well, actually, we don’t need our fans to come to games”, surely this organisation has finally ‘sold out’ in every sense of the word.

Owned by foreign investors with no feeling for our great game, who are simply in it for the money and, has already been shown at Liverpool, will ‘re-finance’ and saddle our great clubs with massive debts if things don’t go well. Staffed to a large degree by over-paid foreign players as a quick fix stifling opportunities for young British players, all in the pursuit of money.

But, where does all this money go? Certainly not into grassroots football and the non-league structure. For example, some third world countries can boast better facilities for up and coming young footballers than are currently available in Dover.

We simply must invest in our grassroots game if our national side is not to become a laughing stock, and our smaller clubs suffocated by performing seals financed by rich Americans out for a fast buck.

I say to the FA: stop touching your forelock to the Premier League, stop paying lip service to the grassroots game and take action to ensure that a fair proportion of the massive sums earned are invested in football’s future. Not only in the ‘community based projects’, as is the case now, but also in the development of young promising British players.

I say to supporters: the Premier League many not need or want you, but we do. Try watching your local side, get involved, spend a fraction of what you would at a Premiership ground and feel as though you belong. Instead of watching the midweek televised games, come along and watch real football for real people!

.

*BS*THE news this week that the men at the top of the English Premier League intend to hasten the transformation of our National Game into a circus by dragging their over-paid clowns to the other side of the world to play one more meaningless game each season, probably comes as no surprise to some people.

*BF*How often have we heard that players are “too tired” to compete in the early rounds of our national cup competitions, or for poor international performances excused because of “heavy European and domestic commitments”?. Yet still, the Premier League autocrats pursue this farcical plan in the pursuit of yet more money.

Let’s face it, the Premier League is now so remote and aloof they cannot claim to be custodians of the national game anymore. With one individual, who should remain nameless, claiming “Well, actually, we don’t need our fans to come to games”, surely this organisation has finally ‘sold out’ in every sense of the word.

Owned by foreign investors with no feeling for our great game, who are simply in it for the money and, has already been shown at Liverpool, will ‘re-finance’ and saddle our great clubs with massive debts if things don’t go well. Staffed to a large degree by over-paid foreign players as a quick fix stifling opportunities for young British players, all in the pursuit of money.

But, where does all this money go? Certainly not into grassroots football and the non-league structure. For example, some third world countries can boast better facilities for up and coming young footballers than are currently available in Dover.

We simply must invest in our grassroots game if our national side is not to become a laughing stock, and our smaller clubs suffocated by performing seals financed by rich Americans out for a fast buck.

I say to the FA: stop touching your forelock to the Premier League, stop paying lip service to the grassroots game and take action to ensure that a fair proportion of the massive sums earned are invested in football’s future. Not only in the ‘community based projects’, as is the case now, but also in the development of young promising British players.

I say to supporters: the Premier League many not need or want you, but we do. Try watching your local side, get involved, spend a fraction of what you would at a Premiership ground and feel as though you belong. Instead of watching the midweek televised games, come along and watch real football for real people!

.

*BS*A SIGNED ENGLAND U-21 shirt from 2004 is up for auction in aid of Dover Athletic’s Centre Spot 2008 Appeal.*BF*

Former Dover, Gillingham and England U-21s boss Peter Taylor donated the item to the club, which hopes to raise a good sum to go towards the project to build a new clubhouse facility.

Taylor acquired the original shirt during his time as manager of the England U-21 team and the item was signed by the squad following a match against Wales in 2004.

The shirt was signed by the following squad:
England: Carson; Johnson (Taylor, 85), Hunt, Davenport, Harding; Pennant (Whittingham, 75), Milner, O’Neil, Downing; Cole (Bent, 19), Stead.
Subs not used: Kilgallon, Lonergan, Baines, Hinshelwood.

*Ppic1*Paul Harrison, who is organising the auction, told doverathletic.com: “Jim and Sally Parmenter, who previously bought the shirt at the Peter Taylor Sportsman’s Evening, have generously donated it back to DAFC to be auctioned.

“Bids can be made via my mobile 07771 846766, email: [email protected] or via the unofficial fans forum – see the thread at the top of the General Discussion forum.”

The closing date for bids will be Easter Bank Holiday Monday March 24th at 4.45 after the Ashford game at SeaFrance Crabble.

*BS*Fun Run*BF*
The club’s Youth Section is also organising a Fun Run at Crabble on Easter Bank Holiday Monday, their contribution towards the Centre Spot Appeal fundraising.

Contact Paul Harrison for more details.

*Link1*

*BS*A SIGNED ENGLAND U-21 shirt from 2004 is up for auction in aid of Dover Athletic’s Centre Spot 2008 Appeal.*BF*

Former Dover, Gillingham and England U-21s boss Peter Taylor donated the item to the club, which hopes to raise a good sum to go towards the project to build a new clubhouse facility.

Taylor acquired the original shirt during his time as manager of the England U-21 team and the item was signed by the squad following a match against Wales in 2004.

The shirt was signed by the following squad:
England: Carson; Johnson (Taylor, 85), Hunt, Davenport, Harding; Pennant (Whittingham, 75), Milner, O’Neil, Downing; Cole (Bent, 19), Stead.
Subs not used: Kilgallon, Lonergan, Baines, Hinshelwood.

*Ppic1*Paul Harrison, who is organising the auction, told doverathletic.com: “Jim and Sally Parmenter, who previously bought the shirt at the Peter Taylor Sportsman’s Evening, have generously donated it back to DAFC to be auctioned.

“Bids can be made via my mobile 07771 846766, email: [email protected] or via the unofficial fans forum – see the thread at the top of the General Discussion forum.”

The closing date for bids will be Easter Bank Holiday Monday March 24th at 4.45 after the Ashford game at SeaFrance Crabble.

*BS*Fun Run*BF*
The club’s Youth Section is also organising a Fun Run at Crabble on Easter Bank Holiday Monday, their contribution towards the Centre Spot Appeal fundraising.

Contact Paul Harrison for more details.

*Link1*

*BS*CRAIG CLOKE will be missing from Dover’s line-up this Saturday. The dynamic defender-cum-midfielder is suspended for one match after picking up five bookings this season.*BF*

Replacing Cloke in midfield is likely to be Andy Hessenthaler, who hasn’t started a game for three weeks. Hessenthaler is close to suspension himself and many teams will be relieved at the end of this month when players are given a clean slate in terms of bookings.

Title rivals Tooting are also suffering a suspension on Saturday against Whitstable. Striker Paul Vines will miss out after being sent-off for over-celebration against Worthing.

It’s a time of year when every yellow and red card can count for or against you. For instance, Sittingbourne keeper Chris Lewington was dismissed on Saturday at Met Police and will therefore miss Bourne’s trip to Tooting a week on Saturday.

Dover, however, need only focus on their own fortunes. Currently four points clear, two wins in the next two matches would see Whites go at least seven points ahead of Tooting but having played a game more than the Surrey club. That game in hand for Tooting will be away to Burgess Hill.

Horsham YMCA worked their socks off at SeaFrance Crabble on Monday night, putting in a performance that belied their position in the table. Had they been able to take one of their chances, it could have been a great night for them.

Dover were somewhat fortunate, despite dominating much of the game, but perhaps this kind of victory shows their mental strength. After a tough afternoon at Dulwich last Saturday, a low-tempo performance was perhaps unsurprising. All that matters at this time of year is points though and Monday’s win could end up being viewed as crucial come the end of the season.

Hess’s men have gained 35 points on home turf so far this season (2.4 points per game), only three points short of last season’s overall haul of 38 points at home (1.8 points per game). A win against Croydon Athletic on Saturday would see last season’s home total equalled with six matches at Crabble still to go.
*Ppic1*
More pertinently, since the Chatham match three weeks ago Whites have conceded just one goal (a penalty) in five games. All the more impressive considering the number of youngsters in Dover’s back-line recently. If the team can keep this defensive form going in the next four matches, Dover should travel to Tooting on Saturday, March 1 in a strong position.

*BS*Facts about Saturday’s visitors Croydon Athletic:*BF*

– Reggie Savage: top-scorer in Ryman South earlier in the season, Savage left Croydon for spells at AFC Wimbledon and Bromley. Has since returned, however, and scored against Whyteleafe last Saturday. Croydon won the game 2-0.

– They have won just three times on the road this season. However, two of those three victories have come from their last five away games.

– Croydon have scored more goals away than any other side in the bottom half but have also conceded more than any other team in the division on their travels.

– They were involved in the highest scoring match in Ryman South this season, a 6-2 home win against Chatham.

– Croydon will be missing right back Adam Wadmore on Saturday, after he was sent off last week.

*BS*Facts about Tuesday’s opponents Molesey:*BF*

– The Moles are yet to win on home turf this season. However, they did take a point from their match against Kingstonian on Saturday.

– Goalscoring has been the main issue for Molesey this season. Luke Edghill is top-scorer with five goals. Moles have averaged exactly one goal per game.

– Their last win came against Dover’s opponents on Saturday, Croydon Athletic.

– Molesey’s average attendance this season is 122.