*BS*MARK LOVELL decided to join Dover Athletic after being wooed by boss Andy Hessenthaler and chairman Jim Parmenter.

*BF*His friend Jon Wallis opted to sign for Whites, instead of moving to a League Two club this summer, and that told him all he needed to know about Whites.

Mark said: “When quality players like Jon decide to sign for Dover, instead of a League Two side, it means that the club are going places.

“Andy Hessenthaler is a top-quality manager and was in charge of Gillingham when I was a youngster there. He did a good job, keeping that club in the Championship for three or four years.

“And, of course, his No 2 Darren Hare was running the youth academy at Priestfield when I was there, so those two being at Dover also played a big part in making my mind up to leave Sittingbourne for Crabble.”

Mark’s dad, former Gills star Steve, is manager at Sittingbourne – and the striker admits it was a wrench to leave him and his team-mates behind.

He said: “My dad is a good coach and I enjoyed playing for him. He has helped my game a lot since I was a kid, and it was nice playing for his club.

“I did seek his advice before deciding to join Dover – and, although as Sittingbourne manager, he didn’t want to lose me – as my dad he appreciated that I wanted to improve myself as a player.

“He just told me that he’d support whatever decision I made – and if I felt it was going to benefit my career, then go for it.

“I had some good times at Sittingbourne but there’s a new challenge waiting for me at Dover, and I cannot wait for the new season to start.

“Having played against Dover last season, I know they are a strong side and have some good players. You always knew you were in for a good game when coming up against Dover.”

*Q1*Mark was not surprised that Hess dropped out of the Football League to manage Dover.

He said: “He sees this as a big challenge – and believes he can take Dover back up the divisions. I was very impressed by his plans – and meeting chairman Jim Parmenter also made a positive impact on me.

“I could tell how determined he is to succeed. He desperately wants to take Dover back up to a level where they honestly should be – and his drive and enthusiasm made a good impression on me.

“The club is well set up and Andy is looking at building a very good squad – and I want to be part of that.”

Mark also knows of Frannie Collin, who Whites signed on Thursday following his release from Gillingham.

He said: “Frannie came into the Gills set up just after I left but I’ve seen him play. He is a different type of player. He drops deep, likes to run at defenders, is quick and scores a lot of goals.

“I’m more of a hold up player, who also scores goals. I’ve had a frustrating couple of years with knee injuries. I had a good season last year – and Hess said it was big year for me.

“I’m now hoping to wipe the slate clean completely and start a new challenge – and help this club win the title this year. That’s what we’re all going to concentrate on.”

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*BS*MARK LOVELL decided to join Dover Athletic after being wooed by boss Andy Hessenthaler and chairman Jim Parmenter.

*BF*His friend Jon Wallis opted to sign for Whites, instead of moving to a League Two club this summer, and that told him all he needed to know about Whites.

Mark said: “When quality players like Jon decide to sign for Dover, instead of a League Two side, it means that the club are going places.

“Andy Hessenthaler is a top-quality manager and was in charge of Gillingham when I was a youngster there. He did a good job, keeping that club in the Championship for three or four years.

“And, of course, his No 2 Darren Hare was running the youth academy at Priestfield when I was there, so those two being at Dover also played a big part in making my mind up to leave Sittingbourne for Crabble.”

Mark’s dad, former Gills star Steve, is manager at Sittingbourne – and the striker admits it was a wrench to leave him and his team-mates behind.

He said: “My dad is a good coach and I enjoyed playing for him. He has helped my game a lot since I was a kid, and it was nice playing for his club.

“I did seek his advice before deciding to join Dover – and, although as Sittingbourne manager, he didn’t want to lose me – as my dad he appreciated that I wanted to improve myself as a player.

“He just told me that he’d support whatever decision I made – and if I felt it was going to benefit my career, then go for it.

“I had some good times at Sittingbourne but there’s a new challenge waiting for me at Dover, and I cannot wait for the new season to start.

“Having played against Dover last season, I know they are a strong side and have some good players. You always knew you were in for a good game when coming up against Dover.”

*Q1*Mark was not surprised that Hess dropped out of the Football League to manage Dover.

He said: “He sees this as a big challenge – and believes he can take Dover back up the divisions. I was very impressed by his plans – and meeting chairman Jim Parmenter also made a positive impact on me.

“I could tell how determined he is to succeed. He desperately wants to take Dover back up to a level where they honestly should be – and his drive and enthusiasm made a good impression on me.

“The club is well set up and Andy is looking at building a very good squad – and I want to be part of that.”

Mark also knows of Frannie Collin, who Whites signed on Thursday following his release from Gillingham.

He said: “Frannie came into the Gills set up just after I left but I’ve seen him play. He is a different type of player. He drops deep, likes to run at defenders, is quick and scores a lot of goals.

“I’m more of a hold up player, who also scores goals. I’ve had a frustrating couple of years with knee injuries. I had a good season last year – and Hess said it was big year for me.

“I’m now hoping to wipe the slate clean completely and start a new challenge – and help this club win the title this year. That’s what we’re all going to concentrate on.”

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*BS*ANDY HESSENTHALER is delighted to announce the signing of prolific striker Mark Lovell from Sittingbourne.*BF*

The former Gillingham player met with Hess on Thursday afternoon and after a night reflecting has opted to join Whites.

Top-scorer at Bourne Park with 16 goals last season, where his father Steve is manager, Mark boosts Whites’ forward line to four strikers for the coming season.

Hess said: “Mark’s another quality front player. I know him very well from his time at Gillingham and obviously know his dad Steve Lovell.

“In fact, he reminds me a bit of when Steve played. He scored goals in a side which struggled last season – and we’ll be hoping to get a good return from him.

“We might play three strikers in some games next season I believe Jimmy Dryden, Frannie Collin and Mark have a lot of goals in them.”

Hess is now taking a one-week break before pre-season training starts – but said he was still hoping to do some more business while sitting in the Spanish sunshine.

Chairman Jim Parmenter and the Whites player-boss will remain in contact with each other – with a deal hopefully being set up for another quality addition to the squad.

*Link1*

*BS*ANDY HESSENTHALER met fans for the first time at Crabble – and told them his team-building will be completed in time for the new season.

*BF*The Whites player-boss revealed he had secured released Gillingham striker Francis Collin as his second summer signing.

On top of that he has so far only signed midfielder Jon Wallis and himself – as well as securing the services of striker Jimmy Dryden for another season.

But Hess said: “We’re happy with the progress being made. I am not worried because we will have a good squad in place by August 18.

“Most of the squad will be built in July. I’ve got a lot of players coming down for pre-season, some coming on recommendation. I will be casting my eyes over those trailists before we make a decision on which ones we’ll be signing.

“All the lads we’re talking to are good players – so it is natural they will have options other than us.

“Jon and Frannie signing for us will certainly make us an attractive option – and then you’ve got myself and John Keister who have vast Football League experience.

“I want another centre forward, three defenders and a goalkeeper. They are priorities.”

A goalkeeper Hess has been talking to has a trial with Rotherham – but the Whites chief said: “A number of lads will go on trial with League clubs and some of them won’t be getting contracts, so we still have a chance of signing some of these.

“We’re putting as many feelers out as is possible – and things will eventually start taking shape. We’re happy with the way things are going.”

Meanwhile, Hess has been watching some DVDs of games last season, filmed by our cameraman David Shirley.

And he admitted: “The standard was a bit of a surprise. However, there were some positives – as well as negatives.

“Dover won most of the games I’ve seen so far – but there were a lot of scrappy games. But the lads on contract, James Rogers, Byron Walker, Matt Bourne and Clokey (Craig Cloke), are good young players with potential.

“I knew about Clokey already – but there was some good stuff from Byron and James too – so there’s some potential quality already here.

“Hopefully, I will be able to make them better players by working on a few things.”

Hess held a youth team meeting with coaches and managers before the meet-the-manager event.

He said: “We want to have some input with the youth and reserve system. Obviously, there’s only so much time we can dedicate to that area. However, we’ve chatted to coaches and going through a training video with them, on how we’d like to see things done.”

*Lpic1*Hess was greeted by around 300 fans, packed into the Centre Spot, and fielded questions, alongside chairman Jim Parmenter and assistant-boss Darren Hare, for more than a hour.

The Dover boss said: “It was great to meet the fans and answer some good questions. Hopefully, we can all work together to bring success back to this very good club.”

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*BS*ANDY HESSENTHALER is delighted to announce the signing of prolific striker Mark Lovell from Sittingbourne.*BF*

The former Gillingham player met with Hess on Thursday afternoon and after a night reflecting has opted to join Whites.

Top-scorer at Bourne Park with 16 goals last season, where his father Steve is manager, Mark boosts Whites’ forward line to four strikers for the coming season.

Hess said: “Mark’s another quality front player. I know him very well from his time at Gillingham and obviously know his dad Steve Lovell.

“In fact, he reminds me a bit of when Steve played. He scored goals in a side which struggled last season – and we’ll be hoping to get a good return from him.

“We might play three strikers in some games next season I believe Jimmy Dryden, Frannie Collin and Mark have a lot of goals in them.”

Hess is now taking a one-week break before pre-season training starts – but said he was still hoping to do some more business while sitting in the Spanish sunshine.

Chairman Jim Parmenter and the Whites player-boss will remain in contact with each other – with a deal hopefully being set up for another quality addition to the squad.

*Link1*

*BS*ANDY HESSENTHALER met fans for the first time at Crabble – and told them his team-building will be completed in time for the new season.

*BF*The Whites player-boss revealed he had secured released Gillingham striker Francis Collin as his second summer signing.

On top of that he has so far only signed midfielder Jon Wallis and himself – as well as securing the services of striker Jimmy Dryden for another season.

But Hess said: “We’re happy with the progress being made. I am not worried because we will have a good squad in place by August 18.

“Most of the squad will be built in July. I’ve got a lot of players coming down for pre-season, some coming on recommendation. I will be casting my eyes over those trailists before we make a decision on which ones we’ll be signing.

“All the lads we’re talking to are good players – so it is natural they will have options other than us.

“Jon and Frannie signing for us will certainly make us an attractive option – and then you’ve got myself and John Keister who have vast Football League experience.

“I want another centre forward, three defenders and a goalkeeper. They are priorities.”

A goalkeeper Hess has been talking to has a trial with Rotherham – but the Whites chief said: “A number of lads will go on trial with League clubs and some of them won’t be getting contracts, so we still have a chance of signing some of these.

“We’re putting as many feelers out as is possible – and things will eventually start taking shape. We’re happy with the way things are going.”

Meanwhile, Hess has been watching some DVDs of games last season, filmed by our cameraman David Shirley.

And he admitted: “The standard was a bit of a surprise. However, there were some positives – as well as negatives.

“Dover won most of the games I’ve seen so far – but there were a lot of scrappy games. But the lads on contract, James Rogers, Byron Walker, Matt Bourne and Clokey (Craig Cloke), are good young players with potential.

“I knew about Clokey already – but there was some good stuff from Byron and James too – so there’s some potential quality already here.

“Hopefully, I will be able to make them better players by working on a few things.”

Hess held a youth team meeting with coaches and managers before the meet-the-manager event.

He said: “We want to have some input with the youth and reserve system. Obviously, there’s only so much time we can dedicate to that area. However, we’ve chatted to coaches and going through a training video with them, on how we’d like to see things done.”

*Lpic1*Hess was greeted by around 300 fans, packed into the Centre Spot, and fielded questions, alongside chairman Jim Parmenter and assistant-boss Darren Hare, for more than a hour.

The Dover boss said: “It was great to meet the fans and answer some good questions. Hopefully, we can all work together to bring success back to this very good club.”

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*BS*FRANNIE COLLIN has opted to join Dover Athletic following his release from Gillingham this summer.

*BF*The prolific former Chatham hitman is hot property and even received a concrete offer from a Scottish League Division One club.

But Whites boss Andy Hessenthaler stole a march on the entire non-league game by snapping him up on a one-year contract.

Hess and chairman Jim Parmenter held talks with Frannie, 20, at Crabble on Thursday afternoon – and he made an instant decision to join the club.

Assistant-boss Darren Hare told supporters at the meet-the-manager event at Crabble: “Frannie’s an excellent player and a hot prospect, who I feel was overlooked by Gillingham. He never really got a chance there.

“He’s quick and scores goals – he’ll be a great asset to this club.”

*BS*There will be further comment on this signing and an exclusive audio playback of the meet-the-manager evening on doverathletic.com later on today.

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*BS*ANDY HESSENTHALER is meeting supporters at Crabble in a special meet-the-manager event tonight (6.30pm).

*BF*It gives you the chance to ask Andy himself how preparations for the new season is progressing – and question chairman Jim Parmenter on off-the-field activities, including plans to build a new clubhouse.

Hot food and drinks will be available – the bar will also be open. It is expected to be a well attended event as Dover fans welcome Hess to the club for the first time.

See you tonight!