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*BS*ANOTHER £1,000 has been collected for the Centre Spot 2008 campaign, following terrific support from fans towards the Christmas Raffle.*BF*

Once again the annual raffle received excellent backing as more than £2,000 worth of tickets were sold.

Three cash prizes were awarded as follows:
£250 C Collings
£100 M Franklin
£50 C Davies

That means that Dover Athletic now has a Centre Spot fund totalling more than £4,400, almost a sixth of the overall amount required by April 2008.

Paul Harrison said that the Supporters Trust, which ran the Christmas Raffle, will continue to assist the club in its fundraising efforts.

He said: “This highlights our continued support for the exciting project, and extends our gratitude towards Jim’s recent pledge to underwrite the cost of the Centre Spot if £30,000 can be raised by April.

“In recent times the fans and people of Dover have given the club unbelievable support. We are therefore confident that the supporters and the town will throw themselves behind this beneficial project.”

Trust vice-chairman Ritchie Hulks added: “So many times we have asked our members to donate money to help finance debt. Now we have the chance to actually help enhance the Crabble experience, and push the club onto the next level with its off the field activities.”

The Trust quiz will be held in the Centre Spot, with the first of 2008 on Friday 4th January. Kick off at 8.00pm with teams of up to 8 at £2 per person. All proceeds will help fund the new Centre Spot.

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*BS*ANOTHER £1,000 has been collected for the Centre Spot 2008 campaign, following terrific support from fans towards the Christmas Raffle.*BF*

Once again the annual raffle received excellent backing as more than £2,000 worth of tickets were sold.

Three cash prizes were awarded as follows:
£250 C Collings
£100 M Franklin
£50 C Davies

That means that Dover Athletic now has a Centre Spot fund totalling more than £4,400, almost a sixth of the overall amount required by April 2008.

Paul Harrison said that the Supporters Trust, which ran the Christmas Raffle, will continue to assist the club in its fundraising efforts.

He said: “This highlights our continued support for the exciting project, and extends our gratitude towards Jim’s recent pledge to underwrite the cost of the Centre Spot if £30,000 can be raised by April.

“In recent times the fans and people of Dover have given the club unbelievable support. We are therefore confident that the supporters and the town will throw themselves behind this beneficial project.”

Trust vice-chairman Ritchie Hulks added: “So many times we have asked our members to donate money to help finance debt. Now we have the chance to actually help enhance the Crabble experience, and push the club onto the next level with its off the field activities.”

The Trust quiz will be held in the Centre Spot, with the first of 2008 on Friday 4th January. Kick off at 8.00pm with teams of up to 8 at £2 per person. All proceeds will help fund the new Centre Spot.

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*BS*ANDY HESSENTHALER reckons Dover fans saw the good, the bad and the ugly on Boxing Day.

*BF*Whites had to fight back from a goal down at Ashford to win 2-1 and maintain their five-point lead at the top of Ryman One.

Frannie Collin’s class showed as he netted two superb goals – to make it a *BS*GOOD *BF*day for the travelling supporters.

But the Homelands pitch was in *BS*BAD *BF*condition, making playing difficult.

And, despite a below-par second-half performance, Hess’ men mixed it on the physical side to secure an *BS*UGLY *BF*win.

The Dover boss said: “We were the better side. Frannie hit a post but then their lad scored a superb goal. There wasn’t much we could do about it, the lad’s hit a strike that either goes out of the ground or into the top corner.

“But then two pieces of class from Frannie has turned the game and put us in charge. The worse thing that happened to us was the half-time whistle. We had the momentum and would’ve gone on to score more.

“In the second half, we didn’t quite get it going – but showed the ugly side of our game on a very difficult pitch by grinding it out. Everyone worked hard and the lads were out on their feet at the end.”

Whites were bogged down in the Homelands mud two years ago – falling 3-0 down before rallying but still losing 3-2. And this was the kind of game that many of the travelling army of supporters knew could have been another banana skin in our bid to win the title.

But Hess said: “We have the players in this squad who can adapt to the bad conditions. No disrespect intended towards Ashford, but it was not a nice pitch to play on. Even I didn’t enjoy playing on it. But we’re going to need to churn out results on a number of pitches that will be similar to that one – and I’m confident we can do that.

“That’s where the club has come up short in previous seasons – and it’s usually around this time of year that Dover goes into winter hibernation. But that’s not happening so far this year.”

Hess now says the pressure is firmly on the chasing pack to catch Dover. And the Whites boss said, although he is far from celebrating promotion yet, only his team can throw away the title.

*Ppic1*He said: “It’s in our hands. We’re five points clear, have got two games in hand – and I’m confident we can go 11 points clear. That’s what we’ve got to aim for.

“We’re certainly going to have a good go at getting 100 points. At the moment, we’re on course to beat even that – and if that’s not enough to win the championship, we may as well give up playing football.

“It’s vital we keep our feet firmly on the ground. Nothing is won yet and we need to keep putting points on the board. I know what it is like to be chasing a side at the top. You end up trying to force wins and slip up. The teams chasing us are all hoping we slip up and we have to make sure we don’t.”

On-loan Crystal Palace keeper David Wilkinson is set to return to Selhurst Park after the trip to Kingstonian, giving fit-again Dean Ruddy the chance to win back his place as Dover’s No 1.

Hess is still trying to keep Wilkinson, 19, but admits it is a long-shot that he will be staying at SeaFrance Crabble for another month.

He said: “Wilks has been superb for us. He’s played a key part in what we’ve achieved during the past couple of months. The lad’s going to have a good career, I’m sure of that, and it’s just a case of him waiting for a first-team chance in the pro game.

“We’re trying to keep him but it’s unlikely – but that only means Dean comes back into the side. Deano would’ve learned a lot from Dave and cannot wait to get back in between the sticks.”

Hess dismissed speculation linking Dagenham and Redbridge to signing Frannie Collin.

He said: “That’s the price of success. Clubs higher up the ladder will start to get linked with your players. But there’s no truth in it. I know John Still, the Dagenham manager, very well and how he does his business. If he was interested in Frannie, he’d have phoned me – and he hasn’t.

“I’ve been linked with Gillingham, Stevenage and Brentford myself. Now it’s Frannie’s turn and no doubt Jon Wallis will be mentioned at some point. But you just take it in your stride and don’t get distracted.

“Our aim is to get Dover back into the Conference (Blue Square Premier) and the potential is here to do that. The first thing we must do is win promotion this season.”

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*BS*ANDY HESSENTHALER reckons Dover fans saw the good, the bad and the ugly on Boxing Day.

*BF*Whites had to fight back from a goal down at Ashford to win 2-1 and maintain their five-point lead at the top of Ryman One.

Frannie Collin’s class showed as he netted two superb goals – to make it a *BS*GOOD *BF*day for the travelling supporters.

But the Homelands pitch was in *BS*BAD *BF*condition, making playing difficult.

And, despite a below-par second-half performance, Hess’ men mixed it on the physical side to secure an *BS*UGLY *BF*win.

The Dover boss said: “We were the better side. Frannie hit a post but then their lad scored a superb goal. There wasn’t much we could do about it, the lad’s hit a strike that either goes out of the ground or into the top corner.

“But then two pieces of class from Frannie has turned the game and put us in charge. The worse thing that happened to us was the half-time whistle. We had the momentum and would’ve gone on to score more.

“In the second half, we didn’t quite get it going – but showed the ugly side of our game on a very difficult pitch by grinding it out. Everyone worked hard and the lads were out on their feet at the end.”

Whites were bogged down in the Homelands mud two years ago – falling 3-0 down before rallying but still losing 3-2. And this was the kind of game that many of the travelling army of supporters knew could have been another banana skin in our bid to win the title.

But Hess said: “We have the players in this squad who can adapt to the bad conditions. No disrespect intended towards Ashford, but it was not a nice pitch to play on. Even I didn’t enjoy playing on it. But we’re going to need to churn out results on a number of pitches that will be similar to that one – and I’m confident we can do that.

“That’s where the club has come up short in previous seasons – and it’s usually around this time of year that Dover goes into winter hibernation. But that’s not happening so far this year.”

Hess now says the pressure is firmly on the chasing pack to catch Dover. And the Whites boss said, although he is far from celebrating promotion yet, only his team can throw away the title.

*Ppic1*He said: “It’s in our hands. We’re five points clear, have got two games in hand – and I’m confident we can go 11 points clear. That’s what we’ve got to aim for.

“We’re certainly going to have a good go at getting 100 points. At the moment, we’re on course to beat even that – and if that’s not enough to win the championship, we may as well give up playing football.

“It’s vital we keep our feet firmly on the ground. Nothing is won yet and we need to keep putting points on the board. I know what it is like to be chasing a side at the top. You end up trying to force wins and slip up. The teams chasing us are all hoping we slip up and we have to make sure we don’t.”

On-loan Crystal Palace keeper David Wilkinson is set to return to Selhurst Park after the trip to Kingstonian, giving fit-again Dean Ruddy the chance to win back his place as Dover’s No 1.

Hess is still trying to keep Wilkinson, 19, but admits it is a long-shot that he will be staying at SeaFrance Crabble for another month.

He said: “Wilks has been superb for us. He’s played a key part in what we’ve achieved during the past couple of months. The lad’s going to have a good career, I’m sure of that, and it’s just a case of him waiting for a first-team chance in the pro game.

“We’re trying to keep him but it’s unlikely – but that only means Dean comes back into the side. Deano would’ve learned a lot from Dave and cannot wait to get back in between the sticks.”

Hess dismissed speculation linking Dagenham and Redbridge to signing Frannie Collin.

He said: “That’s the price of success. Clubs higher up the ladder will start to get linked with your players. But there’s no truth in it. I know John Still, the Dagenham manager, very well and how he does his business. If he was interested in Frannie, he’d have phoned me – and he hasn’t.

“I’ve been linked with Gillingham, Stevenage and Brentford myself. Now it’s Frannie’s turn and no doubt Jon Wallis will be mentioned at some point. But you just take it in your stride and don’t get distracted.

“Our aim is to get Dover back into the Conference (Blue Square Premier) and the potential is here to do that. The first thing we must do is win promotion this season.”

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*BS*WHITES will hope to extend their unbeaten run over the festive period at a time when surprise results are the norm.*BF*

January is a month when many of the top sides face each other so if Dover can overcome a couple of Kent derbies next week unscathed, they will be in an enviable position going into 2008.

The festive period may have a surprise up its sleeve, however. Boxing Day, in particular, often throws out the form book.

In a festive round-up of past Christmas matches, Guardian Unlimited this week published the following set of First Division results from Boxing Day 1963:

Blackpool 1-5 Chelsea
Burnley 6-1 Manchester United
Fulham 10-1 Ipswich Town
Leicester City 2-0 Everton
Liverpool 6-1 Stoke City
Nottingham Forest 3-3 Sheffield United
West Bromwich Albion 4-4 Tottenham Hotspur
Sheffield Wednesday 3-0 Bolton Wanderers
Wolverhampton Wanderers 3-3 Aston Villa
West Ham United 2-8 Blackburn Rovers

On Boxing Day last season Dover had two points snatched out of their grasp in the dying minutes by Hastings in yet another one of those exasperating Ryman South matches of old. Anything can happen in the period of Christmas feasts, much mulled wine and knitted jumpers from your Auntie.

Whites are looking strong though. Last Saturday’s tussle against Cray was far from pretty but a good result against a side which is increasingly tough to beat. Matt Fish was a casualty, however, dislocating a shoulder. The young defender has been one of the unsung heroes at the back this season and will be hard boots to fill.

*Lpic1*Star midfielder Jon Wallis is the likeliest to take the right back berth, having done so when Fish went off at Bromley. Andy Hessenthaler should take his place in midfield, unless the player-boss has any further calf problems. If so, Craig Cloke could be pushed up-field.

The returning Laurence Ball could also be an option at right back, after his spell with Ryman Premier club Ramsgate. Hessenthaler is unlikely to want to risk bringing someone ‘new’ in at this time though. Another defensive option back at Crabble is Liam Quinn, who has spent a month on loan Whitstable.

The return of Quinn to Dover is a big blow for the Oystermen. Whites’ opponents at SeaFrance Crabble on Saturday, December 29 have struggled defensively this season and Quinn has impressed at the heart of their back-line adding some much-needed aggression. Whitstable’s form has picked up a little in recent weeks, putting in a strong performance at home to Chatham in a 3-0 victory. They look more comfortable in possession than they did in August but fragility at the back is still a major concern.

Dover will be keen to keep the goals flowing on home turf, where they have been in a hot streak of form recently. This Saturday’s opponents are Horsham YMCA, another club whose form has improved since Hess’s men won 5-1 back in August. Whites will hopefully make sure that YMCA’s 2-1 home victory against Walton & Hersham remains the high point of the first half of their season, which concludes this weekend.

YM picked up their first away win of the season last Saturday, beating Croydon Athletic 2-1. This weekend’s match will be the biggest crowd to watch YMCA this season – the biggest so far was 383 on Dover’s trip to Horsham on the first day. Goalkeeper Dean Ruddy will no doubt be disappointed to miss out on playing against his old club.

All Whites’ festive opponents are languishing in the bottom half of the table but Boxing Day’s trip to Ashford is certain to be a tough task. The Nuts and Bolts were abject in both games against Dover last season but the same cannot be expected this time round, Ashford having brought in a number of experienced players.

*Lpic2*Centre back Sean Ray, skipper of Hastings last season, has steadied the ship a little in defence since he signed last month. His partner at the back is Nicky Humphrey, who is one of eight ex-Dover players now plying their trade at Homelands.

Full backs Tony Browne and Danny Braithwaite have returned from injury. Walid Matata, Danny Lye and Kevin Lott are all regulars in the Ashford squad too. Mark Lovell will play up front against his former club, where he scored five league goals earlier this season.

One man unlikely to feature is former Dover captain Lee Spiller. Having injured his knee in September, Spills returned to the Ashford line-up against Tonbridge last week but a recurrence of the injury means he will probably be out for a while. His unavailability could be construed as either good or bad news for Dover going into the game. As it is the season of goodwill, I will come down on the side of ‘good news’.

As ever, Dover will be aiming to get the full nine points from the three matches. However, a draw or even two draws would not be the end of the world. Going into 2008 having lost only once in the league would be an outstanding achievement, however many points are on the board.

*BS*MERRY CHRISTMAS*BF*

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