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*BS*CRAIG CLOKE has been told to rein in his attacking runs down the right-hand side for the good of the team’s balance on the park.

*BF*Clokey, always eager to bomb down the flank to get crosses in to the front players, says he is resisting the temptation to get too far forward – so the shape of Clive Walker’s side does not get disjoined when the opposition are in possession.

He said: “Lee Spiller and I have been combining well down the flank – but the team need me to concentrate on my defensive duties, first and foremost.

“Because of the kind of player I am, it’s always tempting to push on and get those crosses in. However, Glen Knight has already been getting on my case and I know it’s important to make sure the team keeps it shape.

“I’m enjoying playing to the right of the back three and it’s been so far, so good.”

The defender admits Whites did not play to the required standard during the second half of the 3-1 win against highly-fancied Dulwich Hamlet.

However, a strong defensive platform enabled Dover to deal comfortably with the Dulwich frontline, preventing them from getting back into the game.

He said: “They were playing some very good football and we were struggling to get the ball from them. But we were so solid at the back and, apart from their goal, they didn’t really look like scoring – so we were well pleased with that aspect of the game.

“However, as a team, we know that the performance wasn’t up to the level we need to be at to be up there challenging for promotion this season, so have got to improve on that.

*Q1*”But, when I look around the squad, I think we will get better. There’s so much experience in there and Byron Walker has been a revelation since signing from Chatham.

“I call him ‘Bye Bye Walker’, because he can say that to defenders when he goes past them for fun.”

Proud Dovorian Cloke says the off-the-field news that Whites have paid off the CVA debt has given the team a huge lift.

He insists chairman Jim Parmenter should take a lot of credit for how he has made the club more professional – both on and off-the-field.

He said: “A lot of fans don’t know or see what the chairman does down here. He and his wife, Sally, organised a big party in a marquee at Wallett’s Court recently for everyone at the club. It allowed us all to mix socially and things like that strengthen the bond at Dover Athletic.

“One of the first things Jim did was getting the lads wearing suits before and after matches. Some other people might see it as us being “Charlie Big Times”. That’s not the case at all. It’s just a case of our lads understanding that they are representing Dover Athletic – and that we should conduct ourselves professionally and set a good example.

“It’s a very good thing, in my opinion, and it’s one of a number of things that Jim has brought in at the club – that professional touch.

“Also he is passionate about the team – and he pops up to virtually every training session, making sure everyone is alright and he likes to see the work ethic running right through the club.”

*Q2*Whites face a tough fixture against Fleet on Saturday and Cloke knows, from last year’s experience when we drew 1-1 at Crabble, that they will not be giving the lads an easy ride.

He said: “It’s a tricky one and we’ve got to be 100 per cent right on the day to ensure we get the three points. We’ve learned a lot from last season and got a rude awakening to Ryman League Division One.

“However, I believe we’re a lot better for that experience and understand that we have to close games out. And, hopefully, fingers crossed, we’ll do that a lot more this season, than last time round.”

More regular interviews will be appearing on Whites Live On Demand – available for just £10 for the season. Subscribe now to listen to all the latest news from Crabble.

*BS*CRAIG CLOKE has been told to rein in his attacking runs down the right-hand side for the good of the team’s balance on the park.

*BF*Clokey, always eager to bomb down the flank to get crosses in to the front players, says he is resisting the temptation to get too far forward – so the shape of Clive Walker’s side does not get disjoined when the opposition are in possession.

He said: “Lee Spiller and I have been combining well down the flank – but the team need me to concentrate on my defensive duties, first and foremost.

“Because of the kind of player I am, it’s always tempting to push on and get those crosses in. However, Glen Knight has already been getting on my case and I know it’s important to make sure the team keeps it shape.

“I’m enjoying playing to the right of the back three and it’s been so far, so good.”

The defender admits Whites did not play to the required standard during the second half of the 3-1 win against highly-fancied Dulwich Hamlet.

However, a strong defensive platform enabled Dover to deal comfortably with the Dulwich frontline, preventing them from getting back into the game.

He said: “They were playing some very good football and we were struggling to get the ball from them. But we were so solid at the back and, apart from their goal, they didn’t really look like scoring – so we were well pleased with that aspect of the game.

“However, as a team, we know that the performance wasn’t up to the level we need to be at to be up there challenging for promotion this season, so have got to improve on that.

*Q1*”But, when I look around the squad, I think we will get better. There’s so much experience in there and Byron Walker has been a revelation since signing from Chatham.

“I call him ‘Bye Bye Walker’, because he can say that to defenders when he goes past them for fun.”

Proud Dovorian Cloke says the off-the-field news that Whites have paid off the CVA debt has given the team a huge lift.

He insists chairman Jim Parmenter should take a lot of credit for how he has made the club more professional – both on and off-the-field.

He said: “A lot of fans don’t know or see what the chairman does down here. He and his wife, Sally, organised a big party in a marquee at Wallett’s Court recently for everyone at the club. It allowed us all to mix socially and things like that strengthen the bond at Dover Athletic.

“One of the first things Jim did was getting the lads wearing suits before and after matches. Some other people might see it as us being “Charlie Big Times”. That’s not the case at all. It’s just a case of our lads understanding that they are representing Dover Athletic – and that we should conduct ourselves professionally and set a good example.

“It’s a very good thing, in my opinion, and it’s one of a number of things that Jim has brought in at the club – that professional touch.

“Also he is passionate about the team – and he pops up to virtually every training session, making sure everyone is alright and he likes to see the work ethic running right through the club.”

*Q2*Whites face a tough fixture against Fleet on Saturday and Cloke knows, from last year’s experience when we drew 1-1 at Crabble, that they will not be giving the lads an easy ride.

He said: “It’s a tricky one and we’ve got to be 100 per cent right on the day to ensure we get the three points. We’ve learned a lot from last season and got a rude awakening to Ryman League Division One.

“However, I believe we’re a lot better for that experience and understand that we have to close games out. And, hopefully, fingers crossed, we’ll do that a lot more this season, than last time round.”

More regular interviews will be appearing on Whites Live On Demand – available for just £10 for the season. Subscribe now to listen to all the latest news from Crabble.

*BS*CRABBLE BOX OFFICE™ proudly presents Pure Groovers to the Centre Spot on Friday, August 25.

*BF*The Supporters Trust are organising live entertainment at the Centre Spot clubhouse, Crabble, every fourth Friday of the month.

And we kick off our regular event with soul and disco band Pure Groovers.

Groovers are an accomplished local band who specialise in Motown music and always guarantee a great night’s entertainment.

The three member band also play disco music right through to recent chart releases.

Tickets, priced £6.50 which includes a basket meal, can be purchased at the Dover Town Centre Management office in Pencester Road, Dover, on the first floor of the premises.

Also at A Simmonds, the jewellers, in Biggin Street, Dover, and at the ground at all pre-season friendlies as well as the club shop at the ground between 10am to 1pm on Saturday mornings.

Alternatively, you can click on the PayPal button on the home page. Note there is a £1.50 booking fee to cover PayPal and admin expenses, for purchases made online. Your ticket will be reserved and available at the ground, when you present your email receipt ticket.

As well as a basket meal, there will be a bar where refreshments can be purchased.

*BS*CRABBLE BOX OFFICE™ proudly presents Pure Groovers to the Centre Spot on Friday, August 25.

*BF*The Supporters Trust are organising live entertainment at the Centre Spot clubhouse, Crabble, every fourth Friday of the month.

And we kick off our regular event with soul and disco band Pure Groovers.

Groovers are an accomplished local band who specialise in Motown music and always guarantee a great night’s entertainment.

The three member band also play disco music right through to recent chart releases.

Tickets, priced £6.50 which includes a basket meal, can be purchased at the Dover Town Centre Management office in Pencester Road, Dover, on the first floor of the premises.

Also at A Simmonds, the jewellers, in Biggin Street, Dover, and at the ground at all pre-season friendlies as well as the club shop at the ground between 10am to 1pm on Saturday mornings.

Alternatively, you can click on the PayPal button on the home page. Note there is a £1.50 booking fee to cover PayPal and admin expenses, for purchases made online. Your ticket will be reserved and available at the ground, when you present your email receipt ticket.

As well as a basket meal, there will be a bar where refreshments can be purchased.

*BS*Planning an away trip or want to know more about our upcoming opponents? Our new Team Guide is here to help.*BF*

Easy access to a growing database of clubs is via the boxes at the top right of the home page. Click the team name and the Team Guide will open. You can also enter Team Guide by clicking on a team name in the mini league table on the home page and the Fixtures & Results page.

When you are in the Team Guide, you can look-up another club by selecting a team from the drop-down menu (above the club badge) and then clicking the arrow on the right.

All the basics, such as address, website and contact details are there. We are also gradually adding other general facts, history and points of interest we can find about each team.

Travelling supporters can plan their journeys with the ground directions and links to a route-planner, map and aerial photos.

*Q1*We shall strive to include as much information about each club as we can. It may not always be possible to find out all the details for some clubs, however.

Bear with us as we gradually update the details for each club and add new clubs to the database in what is an ongoing process. We hope it will be of use and interest to you.

*BS*Planning an away trip or want to know more about our upcoming opponents? Our new Team Guide is here to help.*BF*

Easy access to a growing database of clubs is via the boxes at the top right of the home page. Click the team name and the Team Guide will open. You can also enter Team Guide by clicking on a team name in the mini league table on the home page and the Fixtures & Results page.

When you are in the Team Guide, you can look-up another club by selecting a team from the drop-down menu (above the club badge) and then clicking the arrow on the right.

All the basics, such as address, website and contact details are there. We are also gradually adding other general facts, history and points of interest we can find about each team.

Travelling supporters can plan their journeys with the ground directions and links to a route-planner, map and aerial photos.

*Q1*We shall strive to include as much information about each club as we can. It may not always be possible to find out all the details for some clubs, however.

Bear with us as we gradually update the details for each club and add new clubs to the database in what is an ongoing process. We hope it will be of use and interest to you.

*BS*Dover Athletic are delighted to announce that forward Chris Chase has signed a one-year contract with the club.*BF*

Chase has established himself as a favourite with the fans since joining the club on non-contract terms towards the end of last season.

Whites boss Clive Walker said: “Chris is an excellent player. This is an exciting signing for us.

“We’ve been trying to sign him for some time now and we are pleased he has put pen to paper.”

There will be full reaction on Monday afternoon.

*BS*Dover Athletic are delighted to announce that forward Chris Chase has signed a one-year contract with the club.*BF*

Chase has established himself as a favourite with the fans since joining the club on non-contract terms towards the end of last season.

Whites boss Clive Walker said: “Chris is an excellent player. This is an exciting signing for us.

“We’ve been trying to sign him for some time now and we are pleased he has put pen to paper.”

There will be full reaction on Monday afternoon.

*BS*CLIVE WALKER is delighted with the progress his squad is showing after three pre-season games.

*BF*The Whites boss ran his eye over the squad for the first time this summer on Tuesday night when they were given a good workout by Conference South club Lewes.

Clive returned from the United States, where he has been coaching for a month, on Sunday – and, although Whites lost 3-0 after three goals in the closing half hour, he was satisfied with how things are developing on the fitness front.

He said: “We played well and you have to remember that not only are Lewes a top Conference South side, they are also two weeks ahead of us in their pre-season schedule. Add to that the fact they had 22 fully-fit class players down at Crabble, you have to say we did well.

“There are some defensive things that need working on. Better sides are going to test you out and we weren’t sharp enough or fit enough to deal with it.

*Q1*”That is something we will work on and improve. The whole idea of playing sides from a higher level is to improve fitness.

“You are more inclined to be chasing the ball against sides like Hinckley, Lewes, Millwall, Spurs and Margate. And when you’re chasing leather, your fitness levels are going to improve – also it’s going to get you sharper for when the season kicks off.

“I don’t see any point of playing many pre-season games against teams at the same level or lower, winning 3-0 and not building up fitness properly.

“So far I am happy with our progress at this stage and now it’s a case of upping our fitness and sharpness. Their goals came as we tired and lost the sharpness you need to compete at that higher level.”

Clive is working on a deal to sign winger Chris Chase. The former Watford trainee could sign on Saturday but discussions are still ongoing with the player and his agent.

But the club intend to make sure he is a Dover player this season.

The Whites boss said: “I definitely want to sign him. He’s a good player and we’ve made him an offer. We’re still talking and hopefully could be in a position to have him signed on this Saturday. But, at this moment, we’re still sorting things out.”

*Ppic1*Daniel Braithwaite, on the other hand, will be having an operation in August, which will rule him out for the first few months of the season.

Clive said that he was hoping that James Rogers will fit into that role – after being impressed with the youngster against Lewes.

He said: “James looked good and he can certainly play there. It’s just a case of these lads getting fitter. We should be stronger defensively this season – and the front players looked good.”

John Keister is not expected to play in Saturday’s friendly with Millwall after limping off on Tuesday.

Clive said: “He’s got a little knock and we won’t be taking any chances on it. At the moment, it’s looking like he’ll miss the game on Saturday.”

Jimmy Dryden’s progress with his knee rehab is encouraging – and Clive said: “Fingers crossed, he’ll be ready for the start of the new season. But we’re not going to gamble on his fitness, he’s a massive player for us.”