*BS*FOLLOWING another boring and uneventful summer on the Kent football scene, with little to be discussed on the website forums and local papers, thank goodness the season proper is back to give us something to talk about!*BF*

I jest, of course, as it has been an eventful summer in the county and Ryman League. Crabble has seen more changes than most but the likes of Whitstable, Ashford, Cray, Dartford, Dulwich and Canterbury have all had their own stories in the past three months.

I think it’s fair to say that many Dover supporters were relieved to get away from football in May, following the disheartening end to last season. None of us though can have expected such a positive summer of news to emerge.

Whites’ new-look squad, carefully assembled by Andy Hessenthaler, looks a good mixture of youth and experience. Patience may be required for some players to bed-in and click with their new team-mates but pre-season performances bode well for the season ahead.

Last Saturday’s disappointing result against East Thurrock underlined the fact that there is still a way to go in terms of the team gelling and understanding each other’s games. However, that will be the case for quite a few Ryman South sides this season and Whites’ previous performances in pre-season were a joy to watch.

Perhaps best placed for a good start in Ryman South this season are Kingstonian, who have not made as many changes as some expected this summer. Whilst their pre-season results have not been hugely impressive, Alan Dowson is gradually putting together a very solid outfit at Kingsmeadow and striker Bobby Traynor, one of several K’s players who gained promotion from Ryman One in 2005 under Dowson at Walton & Hersham, is likely to fire on all cylinders this season.

Dulwich, with their remodelled team following the departure of their manager and quite a few players to ground tenants Fisher, will be a hard side to beat with former Chelmsford boss Craig Edwards in charge. They will be interesting to monitor this season. As, no doubt, will Ashford. With probably the largest squad in the division, the Nuts and Bolts look set to enjoy their best season in many a year. Will it be third time lucky for Clive Walker?

*Lpic1*Dover have a tricky start, with Cray, Leatherhead and Whitstable on the fixture list in August following Saturday’s trip to Horsham YMCA. Being a resident of Whitstable, I know how much they are looking forward to our local derby at the Belmont.

Firstly though, Whites face a trip to Horsham YMCA to kick-off their league campaign. Team news is fairly good, depending on some niggling injuries. Jon Wallis is suffering from a slight hamstring problem, while Andy Hessenthaler has a calf strain. Both are hoping to be fit though.

Sam Gore is the only player definitely out injured, while John Keister misses out through a one match suspension from last season. Matt Bourne came through a full 90 minutes for the reserves last Saturday and should be in the squad.

Whites’ Sussex opponents were boosted recently by the news that Dean Carden and Glen Woodburn have both rejected moves to Redhill, managed by former YMCA assistant boss Tommy Sampson. Sampson had already recruited left back Nick Levett from YMCA. Also leaving the club in the summer were top-scorer Scott Kirkwood to Hastings and Dover’s new goalkeeper Dean Ruddy.

So there has been a rebuilding job at Gorings Mead by manager John Suter. Over 40 players came to pre-season training and pre-season results have been mixed. Last Saturday Folkestone travelled to Horsham YMCA and went away with a comfortable 4-1 victory, having gone 4-0 up within 25 minutes.

Dover will be hoping for more fortune in front of goal than they got at Gorings Mead last season, when Whites hit everything but the back of the net. Dean Ruddy made a big impression that day between the sticks for YMCA and will hope to keep another clean sheet this season but for Athletic this time.

Following the season opener on Saturday, Dover’s squad will have little time to recover as Whites’ midweek matches this season will be played on Mondays. Cray Wanderers will be the first to sample Monday night football at Crabble this season and are expected to provide a stern test with their improved squad.

*Ppic1*Cray boss Ian Jenkins is said to be targeting the play-offs this season, having retained most of his squad from last term and added Glen Knight from Dover, experienced midfielder Danny Chapman, following his controversial exit from Crabble last season, talented defender and regular goalscorer Ryan Royston from Maidstone and former Dover reserves striker George Fenwick from Ashford.

Jenkins has been talking up his side’s chances of challenging for the title but has been disappointed to only have four pre-season matches due to two postponements. His sides have always made life difficult for Dover and it is unlikely to be any different this season. Chapman’s return to Crabble will be an interesting sub-plot in what is usually an entertaining and eventful fixture.

Last season Whites beat Cray three times, sneaking past them 1-0 at Crabble last September and emerging 2-1 winners at Bromley in April after a late Cray fightback. The teams also met at Crabble in March, when a memorable Westview Cup match ended 4-3 to Whites. Cray fought back in that game too, after being 4-1 down with five minutes to go. However, the game had already been marred by a bad injury to Matt Lee which required a 30-minute delay as paramedics came to the ground to remove the defender from the pitch.

Only six players from the Dover squad that night are still with the club though. It is a fresh start at SeaFrance Crabble. Here’s to an exciting and enjoyable nine months of football.

Finally, to quote a wise man from Hastings: “Enjoy the season for whatever it may bring to Dover Athletic and to you, but always remember to keep your football in perspective.”

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*BS*CRAIG CLOKE was celebrating the birth of a new baby boy this morning – and wants to make it a double celebration by starting the new season with a win at Horsham YMCA.

*BF*His wife Simone gave birth to Leonidas in the early hours today, joining the young family’s first born, daughter Briseis.

And it makes for a hectic week in the Cloke household, with the Hess Express departing for West Sussex on Saturday.

He said: “I can’t wait for the season to start. I’m enjoying my football now more than ever – and with a new baby it’s been a perfect week so far for me.

“We’re playing much better football now and not hoofing the ball all the time. Hess has got the lads knocking the ball around and it’s much more enjoyable playing that way.”

Clokey admits he has privately considered quitting the club – but family and close friends talked him out of it. And now, under the management of Hess, he is glad he opted to stay.

He said: “I want to win things and, apart from when I playing in the youth and reserve teams, I’ve not won anything here.

“It’s been a frustrating few seasons – playing in a side that has been relegated a few times and not been able to win promotion out of Ryman One.

“But there’s been a lot of changes this summer and Hess has really got everybody’s spirits up. I’m looking forward to this season. It’s a different approach. I’ve only really known mostly playing under Clive – so this is going to be the first time I’ve worked properly with another coach.

“Hess pulled me to one side and told me he had heard lots of positive things about me, wanted me to continue doing the good things in my game – and said he wanted to improve me as a player.

“Now I just want to get down to league action – and a perfect week will be rounded off nicely by three points at Horsham YMCA.”

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*BS*CRAIG CLOKE was celebrating the birth of a new baby boy this morning – and wants to make it a double celebration by starting the new season with a win at Horsham YMCA.

*BF*His wife Simone gave birth to Leonidas in the early hours today, joining the young family’s first born, daughter Briseis.

And it makes for a hectic week in the Cloke household, with the Hess Express departing for West Sussex on Saturday.

He said: “I can’t wait for the season to start. I’m enjoying my football now more than ever – and with a new baby it’s been a perfect week so far for me.

“We’re playing much better football now and not hoofing the ball all the time. Hess has got the lads knocking the ball around and it’s much more enjoyable playing that way.”

Clokey admits he has privately considered quitting the club – but family and close friends talked him out of it. And now, under the management of Hess, he is glad he opted to stay.

He said: “I want to win things and, apart from when I playing in the youth and reserve teams, I’ve not won anything here.

“It’s been a frustrating few seasons – playing in a side that has been relegated a few times and not been able to win promotion out of Ryman One.

“But there’s been a lot of changes this summer and Hess has really got everybody’s spirits up. I’m looking forward to this season. It’s a different approach. I’ve only really known mostly playing under Clive – so this is going to be the first time I’ve worked properly with another coach.

“Hess pulled me to one side and told me he had heard lots of positive things about me, wanted me to continue doing the good things in my game – and said he wanted to improve me as a player.

“Now I just want to get down to league action – and a perfect week will be rounded off nicely by three points at Horsham YMCA.”

*BS* The supporters trust board are giving fans the chance to win the new home shirt. *BF*

All you have to do is become a Trust member or renew your membership from 18 August until 1 October 2007. Everyone who becomes a member between these dates will be put into a draw for a chance to win the shirt, the winner has the choice to have the shirt signed if they wish.

To become a member download the membership form on the home page.

*BS* The supporters trust board are giving fans the chance to win the new home shirt. *BF*

All you have to do is become a Trust member or renew your membership from 18 August until 1 October 2007. Everyone who becomes a member between these dates will be put into a draw for a chance to win the shirt, the winner has the choice to have the shirt signed if they wish.

To become a member download the membership form on the home page.

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*BS*JIM PARMENTER takes part in a special website question and answer session – ahead of our big kick-off at Horsham YMCA on Saturday.

*BF*The message is clear – we remain ambitious and are looking forward to making progress on and off-the-field, which hopefully will result in promotion.

*BS*Q: Another season opens. What goal have you set Andy Hessenthaler?

*BF*A: I have asked Andy to build as strong and entertaining squad that can compete well in this league and beyond as well as providing an environment where young players can develop.

Most of all I have asked for us to be as professional as possible in all areas of the club, I want to get as near to a full-time attitude as we can manage.

Andy has set himself the goal of promotion this year and I will do everything in my power to assist him to achieve that aim.

*BS*Q: As a fan, what do you believe has cost us promotion during the past two seasons?

*BF*A: Despite what some of the website experts say, there is not one answer to that question. There really is little point in looking back and I want everyone involved with the club to be looking forward.

*BS*Q: Has Ryman League Division One proved a tougher nut to crack than you and the board first expected?

*BF*A: We always knew that it was going to be a lot tougher to get up than it was to get relegated and there are no guarantees in football.

When we were “new kids on the block” because we had a bit of senior football history and a very nice ground (as well as perhaps a little disbelief that we managed to get relegated three times in four years), everyone wanted to give us a hiding just to prove a point.

But I think things have settled down now and a few more people understand that we are just a passionate football club who believe in what we are trying to achieve. I think that there are other “big fish” such as Worthing, whose manager has guaranteed them promotion and Ashford, whose chairman has spent half a million pounds this season who, perhaps, will get some focus this season.

*BS*Q: The club have decided to make Andy a full-time manager – what benefits are you looking to achieve from that?

*BF*A: Continuity, involvement in all areas of the club and a professional environment.

*BS*Q: What has been the most positive thing to come out of the pre-season games?

*BF*A: For me it would be the fact that the people who have turned up are clearly enjoying the type of football that Andy has brought to the club (as indeed are the directors).

My only one note of caution would be that football is about winning and although we have created a lot we have only won one in seven (all be it against teams from higher divisions) but I am certain that the goals will come and once we start the campaign proper we can all look forward to the entertaining football continuing.

*BS*Q: Attendance figures have held well during the past few seasons. How many supporters on average would you ideally like to see pass through the turnstiles this season?

*BF*A: The floating supporters will come to watch entertaining football but more importantly a winning team. I think we will have both at the SeaFrance Crabble Stadium this year. Therefore, I would like to think we can attract crowds of more than a thousand, however it’s not essential as our budgets are the same as last year – so if we can increase slightly we will be well placed for the season. Any extra income as a result of increased crowds will be invested wisely in the club.

*Q1**BS*Q: What would your message be to the people of Dover and the surrounding area that are contemplating coming to more games this season.

*BF*A: Certainly the people I know who had stopped attending are all coming back to games this year and are thoroughly enjoying what they are seeing.

If you want to watch entertaining football and you want to see your home club do well, come to the games and help create a fantastic atmosphere to help the team take us forward up the leagues.

*BS*Q: Obviously, short-term the target is promotion this season. You’ve always said you want to take the club all the way to the Football League. Having seen how tough it is proving to get out of this division, are you prepared for a long-haul route up the leagues – or do you believe it is possible for a fast-track route?

*BF*A: No such thing as a fast-track route. It can only be achieved by hard work, determination and a continued investment in gradual improvement on and off the pitch.

*BS*Q: You’ve been in football a long time now. Have you learned anything new during the past couple of seasons that you will draw on in the future?

*BF*A: Ignore website forums

*BS*Q: What would your ultimate dream be as Dover Athletic chairman, on and off the field?

*BF*A: To be honest, I don’t have an ultimate dream,I just love football and the sense of achievement created by what has been done at Dover in a very short space of time and what is in place now, making even more possible going forward is enough for me. I will just continue working hard for the club and trying to make the right decisions along with the board

*Lpic1**BS*Q: What would you say is the club’s motto? What do you expect of employees of the club?

*BF*A: Be professional, give everything, don’t make excuses.

*BS*Q: What is the club’s relationship like now with the Supporters’ Trust?

*BF*A: It continues to be good, although some of the fundamental questions raised last year regarding the best role for the trust going forward have not been resolved.

*BS*Q: Finally, a word on the business community. Running a football club costs money and it goes without saying that we need businesses and businessmen and women to get involved. What is your message to them and why should they get involved with our club?

*BF*A: We have been supported fantastically this year by the business community and our overall sponsorship has exceeded all expectations, not least the exciting news that SeaFrance have agreed to become our main sponsor. Something which I believe will benefit all parties and the town of Dover immensely.

We do however have many new ways that businesses, large or small, can get involved – and if any business would like to join us at this exiting time they should check out the commercial section of the website or give the club a call.