*BS*JIM PARMENTER spoke to Justin Allen today, looking ahead to an exciting time for the club. Here is a transcript of the interview:*BF*

*BS*JA:*BF* Jim it’s been, obviously, another eventful week at the club. Let’s start with Jon Wallis – a fantastic signing.

*BS*JP:*BF* Yes, Jon’s a great player. We were very sorry when he left us before, to go and try his luck at Dagenham. We’ve been talking to him since then, we wished him well with that but something went wrong with the administration there and he missed the transfer deadline. He needed to find a club which was below Conference level and, despite being in the running with several other clubs, he almost immediately agreed to come and play for Dover again so I’m absolutely over the moon about that.

*BS*JA:*BF* He’s a player of some calibre and for him to choose a club playing in Ryman One, that’s a fantastic coup for us, isn’t it?

*BS*JP:*BF* Yeah, we are playing in Ryman One and we all know that but I think everybody recognises the club’s structure and its potential and I’m hoping that potential and structure will entice other players of Jon’s quality to the club in the coming seasons.

*BS*JA:*BF* Now, looking at the league form I think we’re unbeaten in six league games and before that everyone was struggling to see how we were going to even qualify for the play-offs, let alone challenge for second or top. Suddenly results have gone our way elsewhere and we’ve picked up form, and we’re right back in business.

*BS*JP:*BF* I hate to say the words but that’s football. I’ve been telling everybody who will listen through the season to actually calm down and keep a level head because our time would come.

Clive had 22 fit players training on Tuesday, which is a great asset to us in the run-in. We’ve got eight games left plus a cup game and possibly the play-offs if we don’t win the league.

What we’ve got is, unusually, a very big resource available to take on that challenge. I’m really, really excited about the next eight games and I think it’s the most exciting time for the club for many years because we’re on the shoulder, we’re coming up on the rails and we’re looking strong, which is absolutely great.

*Q1**BS*JA:*BF* We were speaking earlier that since you’ve been at the club there’s always been one thing after another, in terms of injuries and suspensions, and to actually be entering such a crucial stage of the season now with a fully fit squad, that’s just something we haven’t had, is it?

*BS*JP:*BF* That’s correct. Either fully fit or fully available. Clive was telling me he played 11-a-side at training on Tuesday and to be able to do that tells you everything you want to know, tells you the squad’s fit. It tells you they’re all turning up to training, all eager to play and competition for places is a great thing for the football club.

*BS*JA:*BF* Suddenly the energy is there, in terms of the positivity around the club – that’s something else that’s really improved as well, hasn’t it? There’s always been an element of negativity there but that seems to have evaporated.

*BS*JP:*BF* Well, I’ve always been positive Justin, as you know. Naturally people at Dover, as I’ve said before, do tend to take the negative view. That’s because of five or six or seven years of real difficulty and relegation, and all the rest of it.

But I’ve always been confident and so have most of the people around the club been confident, that this squad was very capable of getting out of this league.

I still think there’s a chance we could win the league. It’s going to be hard and it’s an outside chance but if we keep playing as we’re playing, and you’ve seen the results that have been happening and the fixtures other clubs have got… and I think Easter weekend will be extremely important with a game away against Fleet and at home against Hastings. That Hastings game could potentially be an enormous game for the football club and on Easter Monday – what a great time to have it.

*BS*JA:*BF* It goes without saying that I guess you really want all the fans to get to as many games as possible, certainly get to those home games and create a real cup tie atmosphere.

*BS*JP:*BF* Yeah, the gates have dropped a little bit. They do mid-season anyway. I’m just hoping the people of Dover and the fans will recognise what an exciting time this is coming up for the football club and really do their bit and get behind the team because it’s a great opportunity for us now.

I really do think we’re in with a great chance of doing something special in the last few weeks of the season. I’m looking around the camp, seeing Clive coming back into full fettle, the team and the squad buoyant in training, no injuries, no suspensions on the horizon and if the crowd can play their part as well, I just think it’s going to be a great time for the football club.

*Ppic1**BS*JA:*BF* Just finally, a word on the financial side there’s daylight that side as well – that’s progressing superbly, isn’t it?

*BS*JP:*BF* Well, the financial side is such that we’re clear of debt apart from the remaining overdraft. Cashflow is tight, as it always is at this time of year, because we’re getting towards the end of the season.

It’s important that, therefore, the gates retain or increase because we need to get to the end of the season in a positive manner in order to carry it forward for next season.

The club’s in good shape, and there’s no doubt about that, but we just need the crowds to come in to see us through the last month of the season.

*BS*JA:*BF* A final word to those fans, who are going to be attending those games?

*BS*JP:*BF* Come along and get behind us. Have a look at the fixtures, have a look at the recent results, have a look at how strong we’ve been. The opportunity we’ve got here, it’s going to be an exciting time so get up to the ground and be a part of it.

*BS*JIM PARMENTER spoke to Justin Allen today, looking ahead to an exciting time for the club. Here is a transcript of the interview:*BF*

*BS*JA:*BF* Jim it’s been, obviously, another eventful week at the club. Let’s start with Jon Wallis – a fantastic signing.

*BS*JP:*BF* Yes, Jon’s a great player. We were very sorry when he left us before, to go and try his luck at Dagenham. We’ve been talking to him since then, we wished him well with that but something went wrong with the administration there and he missed the transfer deadline. He needed to find a club which was below Conference level and, despite being in the running with several other clubs, he almost immediately agreed to come and play for Dover again so I’m absolutely over the moon about that.

*BS*JA:*BF* He’s a player of some calibre and for him to choose a club playing in Ryman One, that’s a fantastic coup for us, isn’t it?

*BS*JP:*BF* Yeah, we are playing in Ryman One and we all know that but I think everybody recognises the club’s structure and its potential and I’m hoping that potential and structure will entice other players of Jon’s quality to the club in the coming seasons.

*BS*JA:*BF* Now, looking at the league form I think we’re unbeaten in six league games and before that everyone was struggling to see how we were going to even qualify for the play-offs, let alone challenge for second or top. Suddenly results have gone our way elsewhere and we’ve picked up form, and we’re right back in business.

*BS*JP:*BF* I hate to say the words but that’s football. I’ve been telling everybody who will listen through the season to actually calm down and keep a level head because our time would come.

Clive had 22 fit players training on Tuesday, which is a great asset to us in the run-in. We’ve got eight games left plus a cup game and possibly the play-offs if we don’t win the league.

What we’ve got is, unusually, a very big resource available to take on that challenge. I’m really, really excited about the next eight games and I think it’s the most exciting time for the club for many years because we’re on the shoulder, we’re coming up on the rails and we’re looking strong, which is absolutely great.

*Q1**BS*JA:*BF* We were speaking earlier that since you’ve been at the club there’s always been one thing after another, in terms of injuries and suspensions, and to actually be entering such a crucial stage of the season now with a fully fit squad, that’s just something we haven’t had, is it?

*BS*JP:*BF* That’s correct. Either fully fit or fully available. Clive was telling me he played 11-a-side at training on Tuesday and to be able to do that tells you everything you want to know, tells you the squad’s fit. It tells you they’re all turning up to training, all eager to play and competition for places is a great thing for the football club.

*BS*JA:*BF* Suddenly the energy is there, in terms of the positivity around the club – that’s something else that’s really improved as well, hasn’t it? There’s always been an element of negativity there but that seems to have evaporated.

*BS*JP:*BF* Well, I’ve always been positive Justin, as you know. Naturally people at Dover, as I’ve said before, do tend to take the negative view. That’s because of five or six or seven years of real difficulty and relegation, and all the rest of it.

But I’ve always been confident and so have most of the people around the club been confident, that this squad was very capable of getting out of this league.

I still think there’s a chance we could win the league. It’s going to be hard and it’s an outside chance but if we keep playing as we’re playing, and you’ve seen the results that have been happening and the fixtures other clubs have got… and I think Easter weekend will be extremely important with a game away against Fleet and at home against Hastings. That Hastings game could potentially be an enormous game for the football club and on Easter Monday – what a great time to have it.

*BS*JA:*BF* It goes without saying that I guess you really want all the fans to get to as many games as possible, certainly get to those home games and create a real cup tie atmosphere.

*BS*JP:*BF* Yeah, the gates have dropped a little bit. They do mid-season anyway. I’m just hoping the people of Dover and the fans will recognise what an exciting time this is coming up for the football club and really do their bit and get behind the team because it’s a great opportunity for us now.

I really do think we’re in with a great chance of doing something special in the last few weeks of the season. I’m looking around the camp, seeing Clive coming back into full fettle, the team and the squad buoyant in training, no injuries, no suspensions on the horizon and if the crowd can play their part as well, I just think it’s going to be a great time for the football club.

*Ppic1**BS*JA:*BF* Just finally, a word on the financial side there’s daylight that side as well – that’s progressing superbly, isn’t it?

*BS*JP:*BF* Well, the financial side is such that we’re clear of debt apart from the remaining overdraft. Cashflow is tight, as it always is at this time of year, because we’re getting towards the end of the season.

It’s important that, therefore, the gates retain or increase because we need to get to the end of the season in a positive manner in order to carry it forward for next season.

The club’s in good shape, and there’s no doubt about that, but we just need the crowds to come in to see us through the last month of the season.

*BS*JA:*BF* A final word to those fans, who are going to be attending those games?

*BS*JP:*BF* Come along and get behind us. Have a look at the fixtures, have a look at the recent results, have a look at how strong we’ve been. The opportunity we’ve got here, it’s going to be an exciting time so get up to the ground and be a part of it.

*BS*JON WALLIS says it was his debt of gratitude to boss Clive Walker that persuaded him to re-sign for Dover Athletic.

*BF*Jon, who put pen to paper on a deal that keeps him at Crabble until the end of the season, enjoyed a highly-successful loan spell at the club earlier in the season.

And when League Two club Hereford decided to release him this week, he only had one club in his mind that he wanted to join – Dover Athletic.

Jon said: “I had a wonderful loan spell here earlier in the season and really enjoyed myself. The club made a big impression on me and I’m delighted to be back at Crabble.

“There are a lot of great lads at Dover and I want to help them get out of this division. That is my main focus now.”

The skilful and versatile player, who can slot in defence or midfield, returned to Hereford in January – but it soon became clear that he was not going to figure in Graham Turner’s first-team plans at Edgar Street.

But Jon had a month on-loan at Conference National champions-elect Dagenham – and made four appearances, coming off the bench each time as a late substitute.

He said: “Dagenham manager John Still wanted me to extend my loan until the end of the season – but the two clubs could not agree the terms of the deal, so it fell through before the transfer deadline.

“That meant, because I was not in the manager’s plans, Hereford had to pay up my contract and release me.”

Due to the transfer deadline passing, Jon can now only play for a club below Conference level. And Jon admits there was a long queue of clubs lining up to sign him once the Bulls let him go.

He said: “My phone was red-hot with managers offering me first-team football at their clubs, all a level or two higher than Dover.

“But after enjoying such a great time at Crabble earlier in the season, Dover was my priority so I rang Clive to see if he was interested in taking me back.

“Clive gave me an opportunity to get games under my belt when I needed them and I owe him a debt of gratitude for that.

“And I was absolutely delighted that he wanted me to return – and we agreed terms quickly and now I can’t wait to get out on the field.”

Jon – who played 16 matches for League One club Gillingham last season before moving to the West Country – insists he has no axe to grind with Bulls chief Turner, insisting: “The whole experience has made me a stronger person.”

He said: “The boss there even admitted he had not given me a fair chance. But these things happen in football and I’ve had to learn to take it on the chin. It’s been a learning curve.

*Ppic1*”I just want to play football. I got a lot of first-team football when I was at Dover and, after a frustrating period on the sidelines at Hereford, was able to rediscover my fitness and form.”

Jon has not ruled out staying at Dover beyond the summer – although he is keeping his options open at this stage.

He said: “Clive has promised he will not stand in my way if a club at a higher level comes in for me – and, when I say that, I mean Conference or above.

“It goes without saying that I want to play in the Football League or Conference – and I will be listening to what other people say in the summer.

“However, if I am getting loads of games at Dover, part of a successful team and enjoying myself here, it’ll take an amazing opportunity elsewhere to prise me away. I may decide I want to stay here.

“But I’ve not looked that far ahead to be honest. I just want to concentrate on getting out on the field and helping Dover to promotion, starting with three points against Chatham on Saturday.

“This club should not be down at this level because the set-up is superb. It’s a big club and with good people in charge.”

Chairman Jim Parmenter said: “We’re delighted to have Jon back on board.

“The club have never been out of contact with him since he went back to Hereford. We’ve been closely monitoring his situation and always kept the door open for him. Now he’s back and we hope this gives us a further boost as we bid for promotion.”

*BS*DOVER ATHLETIC have pulled off a major transfer coup in completing the signing of Jon Wallis from League Two club Hereford United.

*BF*Jon, who was a fans’ favourite at Crabble during a loan spell earlier in the season, will join initially until the summer.

This boosts the squad massively in our bid to gain promotion back to the Premier Division.

Jon, who has been on loan recently at Conference National champions-elect Dagenham, only inked the deal at Crabble on Tuesday night – and will go straight into the squad for our vital game against Chatham on Saturday.

*BS*Full reaction from manager Clive Walker, chairman Jim Parmenter and Jon Wallis to follow Wednesday.

*BS*JON WALLIS says it was his debt of gratitude to boss Clive Walker that persuaded him to re-sign for Dover Athletic.

*BF*Jon, who put pen to paper on a deal that keeps him at Crabble until the end of the season, enjoyed a highly-successful loan spell at the club earlier in the season.

And when League Two club Hereford decided to release him this week, he only had one club in his mind that he wanted to join – Dover Athletic.

Jon said: “I had a wonderful loan spell here earlier in the season and really enjoyed myself. The club made a big impression on me and I’m delighted to be back at Crabble.

“There are a lot of great lads at Dover and I want to help them get out of this division. That is my main focus now.”

The skilful and versatile player, who can slot in defence or midfield, returned to Hereford in January – but it soon became clear that he was not going to figure in Graham Turner’s first-team plans at Edgar Street.

But Jon had a month on-loan at Conference National champions-elect Dagenham – and made four appearances, coming off the bench each time as a late substitute.

He said: “Dagenham manager John Still wanted me to extend my loan until the end of the season – but the two clubs could not agree the terms of the deal, so it fell through before the transfer deadline.

“That meant, because I was not in the manager’s plans, Hereford had to pay up my contract and release me.”

Due to the transfer deadline passing, Jon can now only play for a club below Conference level. And Jon admits there was a long queue of clubs lining up to sign him once the Bulls let him go.

He said: “My phone was red-hot with managers offering me first-team football at their clubs, all a level or two higher than Dover.

“But after enjoying such a great time at Crabble earlier in the season, Dover was my priority so I rang Clive to see if he was interested in taking me back.

“Clive gave me an opportunity to get games under my belt when I needed them and I owe him a debt of gratitude for that.

“And I was absolutely delighted that he wanted me to return – and we agreed terms quickly and now I can’t wait to get out on the field.”

Jon – who played 16 matches for League One club Gillingham last season before moving to the West Country – insists he has no axe to grind with Bulls chief Turner, insisting: “The whole experience has made me a stronger person.”

He said: “The boss there even admitted he had not given me a fair chance. But these things happen in football and I’ve had to learn to take it on the chin. It’s been a learning curve.

*Ppic1*”I just want to play football. I got a lot of first-team football when I was at Dover and, after a frustrating period on the sidelines at Hereford, was able to rediscover my fitness and form.”

Jon has not ruled out staying at Dover beyond the summer – although he is keeping his options open at this stage.

He said: “Clive has promised he will not stand in my way if a club at a higher level comes in for me – and, when I say that, I mean Conference or above.

“It goes without saying that I want to play in the Football League or Conference – and I will be listening to what other people say in the summer.

“However, if I am getting loads of games at Dover, part of a successful team and enjoying myself here, it’ll take an amazing opportunity elsewhere to prise me away. I may decide I want to stay here.

“But I’ve not looked that far ahead to be honest. I just want to concentrate on getting out on the field and helping Dover to promotion, starting with three points against Chatham on Saturday.

“This club should not be down at this level because the set-up is superb. It’s a big club and with good people in charge.”

Chairman Jim Parmenter said: “We’re delighted to have Jon back on board.

“The club have never been out of contact with him since he went back to Hereford. We’ve been closely monitoring his situation and always kept the door open for him. Now he’s back and we hope this gives us a further boost as we bid for promotion.”

*BS*DOVER ATHLETIC have pulled off a major transfer coup in completing the signing of Jon Wallis from League Two club Hereford United.

*BF*Jon, who was a fans’ favourite at Crabble during a loan spell earlier in the season, will join initially until the summer.

This boosts the squad massively in our bid to gain promotion back to the Premier Division.

Jon, who has been on loan recently at Conference National champions-elect Dagenham, only inked the deal at Crabble on Tuesday night – and will go straight into the squad for our vital game against Chatham on Saturday.

*BS*Full reaction from manager Clive Walker, chairman Jim Parmenter and Jon Wallis to follow Wednesday.

*BS*After joining the club during its Conference days, Tony Browne has spent most of the last decade at Crabble and has duly been awarded a testimonial this season.*BF*

Tony’s testimonial will feature a match at Crabble on Saturday, May 12 at 3.00pm. A Tony Browne All Star XI will come up against a Dover Legends XI.

Names of the players will be known soon, with many former Conference stars and recent team-mates sure to be in attendance. Entrance prices for the game are yet to be decided.

Look out for more news on “Browne-dog’s” testimonial match over the coming weeks at doverathletic.com.

Later that day there will be a Gala Dinner and Dance at Broome Park Golf Club, 7.30pm to 1.00am. This will include a welcome reception, three-course meal, entertainment from Charlie Belcher – One Night in Vegas (Supreme Rat Pack Tribute), a comedian and disco. More funds will be raised for Tony via an auction and stand-up bingo on the night.
Price for the Gala evening only is £35 per person.

*BS*To obtain tickets for the Gala evening please contact:*BF*
Mrs D Harrison, Tony Browne’s Testimonial Committee, Dover Athletic Football Club, Crabble Athletic Ground, Lewisham Road, River, Dover, Kent, CT17 0JB

*BS*After joining the club during its Conference days, Tony Browne has spent most of the last decade at Crabble and has duly been awarded a testimonial this season.*BF*

Tony’s testimonial will feature a match at Crabble on Saturday, May 12 at 3.00pm. A Tony Browne All Star XI will come up against a Dover Legends XI.

Names of the players will be known soon, with many former Conference stars and recent team-mates sure to be in attendance. Entrance prices for the game are yet to be decided.

Look out for more news on “Browne-dog’s” testimonial match over the coming weeks at doverathletic.com.

Later that day there will be a Gala Dinner and Dance at Broome Park Golf Club, 7.30pm to 1.00am. This will include a welcome reception, three-course meal, entertainment from Charlie Belcher – One Night in Vegas (Supreme Rat Pack Tribute), a comedian and disco. More funds will be raised for Tony via an auction and stand-up bingo on the night.
Price for the Gala evening only is £35 per person.

*BS*To obtain tickets for the Gala evening please contact:*BF*
Mrs D Harrison, Tony Browne’s Testimonial Committee, Dover Athletic Football Club, Crabble Athletic Ground, Lewisham Road, River, Dover, Kent, CT17 0JB

*BS*Book now for a place to see Whites gunning for silverware – an independent supporters coach is taking fans to Bromley for the Westview Cup final against Ashford Town Middlesex.*BF*

There are still 12 seats left on the coach and the possibility of getting a bigger coach should demand be high enough.

The new departure time is 5.15pm from Crabble. Anyone who has problems with this should contact me and I’ll see what I can do.

To book a seat, contact Leigh Champion (Champ) on the unofficial forum or by phone: 07746 921832.

*BS*DOVER ATHLETIC have been verbally informed by match officials that midfielder Danny Chapman was sent-off for making comments of a racial nature to team-mate Anton Innocent during our 2-1 win against Godalming.

*BF*The club, a supporter of Kick Racism Out of Football, have a zero tolerance on this kind of behaviour.

We, under no circumstances, condone any form of racism whether it is at our club – or in the community at large. Dover Athletic are committed to helping kick out this unacceptable behaviour from football and our society.

The club will be in contact with the FA this week – and our lawyers – to seek advice before dealing with this matter.