LEE SHEARER wants to stay at Dover and help get the club back into the Conference.

River End hero Shearer, 27, spent two seasons away from Dover Athletic and admits Margate and Gravesend just do not match up to the warmness of playing at the Hoverspeed Stadium, which he calls his second home.

The central defender – signed by former boss Bill Williams from Leyton Orient – is hoping to extend his loan from Gravesend when the current month expires and wants to sign for Whites permanently.

And he admitted: “It’s like I’ve never been away. I am a Dover fan anyway and even when I was playing for Margate and Gravesend I’d be up here singing and cheering with the Dover fans if I didn’t have a game.”

It is said that Shearer once joined in with the chant of “We hate Margate” while he was still a player for our rivals up the coast.

Shearer, who was selected for the England Semi-Pro side during his first spell at the club, said: “I got a lot of stick when I signed for Margate. It was like signing for the enemy but I was always a Dover fan. A lot of stuff was happening at the club at the time.

“Without dragging all the past up again, a lot of the lads were upset that season we went down. Gary Bellamy brought a load of players in who were earning much more than those of us who had been around for a few years. It caused splits in the dressing room and the atmosphere wasn’t the best.

“But I’ve always got on with the Dover fans. After all, I am one of them and Dover should be in the Conference. It shouldn’t be sitting second from bottom in the Ryman League – two divisions below where it was when I first played here.

“That’s why I jumped at the chance to come back when it was offered to me.”

Shearer was even in the Gravesend first-team a couple of days before he signed for Whites and a large section of the Fleet crowd cannot believe they have allowed him to leave.

But Shearer admitted: “I didn’t know this was going to happen either. I was in their team and suddenly Andy Ford, the manager there, told me I was going out on loan. And I asked where. He told me they had received a call from Dover and immediately I was interested.

“I got talking to Steve Browne and really liked him. He reminded me that he played against me for Yeovil when we beat them 4-0. We had a bit of a laugh about it and he then told me of his plans for Dover. And I want to help.

“Everything about Dover is a Conference club and I’d love nothing more than to play for this club again in that division. I always said I’d come back to play for Dover one day and here I am.”

Shearer admits that although it is the same old faces on the terraces that are cheering him, the playing personnel have completely changed.

He said: “Only Matt Carruthers and Paul Hyde are left from when I was here. But the lads we’ve got in the team are quality players and no way are we going to end in those bottom four positions with this team. We just need to start scoring goals because apart from that we look solid.”

STEVE BROWNE is stepping up his search for a striker after his men failed to score for the second week running.

The Whites boss was bitterly disappointed to come away from new league leaders Hampton and Richmond with nothing after controlling the game for long periods.

And Browne admitted: “I’m concerned we’re not scoring. We have in fact scored four goals in our last three league matches. But that’s two games running, if you include Staines in the FA Trophy, where we have not looked too good in the final third and failed to hit the net.

“We got a lot of balls into the Hampton box – although I have to admit they weren’t exactly quality deliveries – and also we’re lacking someone to convert the chances. Craig Wilkins is a good player and he is doing everything right. Once he gets one goal, I’m sure they’ll flow from him.

“I am particularly gutted by this result because I’d said only last week that basic errors were costing us dearly. Then we put in a very good performance on Saturday, looked solid, controlled the game for long periods but didn’t score.

“Their chairman apologised to our directors after the match for stealing the points off us. But that is of little consolation to me at the moment.”

Browne is known to admire Hornchurch striker Andy Douglas, who scored three goals during a loan spell at Chelmsford earlier this season, and played for the Urchins in their 5-2 FA Cup first round defeat at Boston on Saturday.

But the Dover boss confirmed he is talking to an unnamed forward, currently on trial at Bristol Rovers this week.

And he said: “The lad is trying his luck at Rovers but if things don’t come off for him he has promised to turn out for me on Saturday. He will, for sure, get goals, if he comes. But it’s not a definite as yet and I’ve got a few irons in the fire.

“We do need to be more clinical in the final third and that’s why I’ve got to go out to get someone in. I’d love to give some of the players more time but we can’t afford that unfortunately. We’ve not had the benefit of a pre-season and that’s obviously something that has gone against us.

“I have to make some decisions this week. To bring players in, I’ll have to shift some out in the opposite direction – even out on loan.”

The gap between Whites and Chelmsford, who currently occupy the last safety spot, is six points. And victories at Eastleigh on Saturday and at home to Harrow next Tuesday could see Dover level.

With this in mind, the Whites boss is not panicking yet and urges fans to keep the faith because he is confident this situation can be turned around.

He said: “I could see it on the fans’ and directors’ faces at the end of the match at Hampton how disappointed everyone was. It’s a bitter blow for everyone at the club and I understand that.

“This club should not be second from bottom is this league. But we are and I’ve brought in lots of new players to make us more competitive to give us a great chance of staying up. The two league defeats have been against the top teams in the division away from home, although I’ve seen nothing in those two games that suggests we’re worse than them.

“We look so solid and that is something to build on. When I first came here, everyone had been talking about poor performances. I don’t think we’re talking about poor performances anymore, which is good, but we’re still losing – and that’s what we’ve got to reverse.

“The team is playing catch-up but I’m not panicking and neither are the players. And the fans must not panic too.”

Warren Ryan’s loan from Waltham Forest is due to expire soon but Browne has told the board he would like to sign the player permanently.

Meanwhile, Lee Shearer is expected to extend his loan for another month and Browne hopes the club will offer him a deal too.

But Browne admitted: “I don’t want to put the club under pressure. I know we’ve got financial problems and a budget is there to stick to. Hopefully we can sort something out because Warren and Lee are two huge players for us.”

LEE SHEARER wants to stay at Dover and help get the club back into the Conference.

River End hero Shearer, 27, spent two seasons away from Dover Athletic and admits Margate and Gravesend just do not match up to the warmness of playing at the Hoverspeed Stadium, which he calls his second home.

The central defender – signed by former boss Bill Williams from Leyton Orient – is hoping to extend his loan from Gravesend when the current month expires and wants to sign for Whites permanently.

And he admitted: “It’s like I’ve never been away. I am a Dover fan anyway and even when I was playing for Margate and Gravesend I’d be up here singing and cheering with the Dover fans if I didn’t have a game.”

It is said that Shearer once joined in with the chant of “We hate Margate” while he was still a player for our rivals up the coast.

Shearer, who was selected for the England Semi-Pro side during his first spell at the club, said: “I got a lot of stick when I signed for Margate. It was like signing for the enemy but I was always a Dover fan. A lot of stuff was happening at the club at the time.

“Without dragging all the past up again, a lot of the lads were upset that season we went down. Gary Bellamy brought a load of players in who were earning much more than those of us who had been around for a few years. It caused splits in the dressing room and the atmosphere wasn’t the best.

“But I’ve always got on with the Dover fans. After all, I am one of them and Dover should be in the Conference. It shouldn’t be sitting second from bottom in the Ryman League – two divisions below where it was when I first played here.

“That’s why I jumped at the chance to come back when it was offered to me.”

Shearer was even in the Gravesend first-team a couple of days before he signed for Whites and a large section of the Fleet crowd cannot believe they have allowed him to leave.

But Shearer admitted: “I didn’t know this was going to happen either. I was in their team and suddenly Andy Ford, the manager there, told me I was going out on loan. And I asked where. He told me they had received a call from Dover and immediately I was interested.

“I got talking to Steve Browne and really liked him. He reminded me that he played against me for Yeovil when we beat them 4-0. We had a bit of a laugh about it and he then told me of his plans for Dover. And I want to help.

“Everything about Dover is a Conference club and I’d love nothing more than to play for this club again in that division. I always said I’d come back to play for Dover one day and here I am.”

Shearer admits that although it is the same old faces on the terraces that are cheering him, the playing personnel have completely changed.

He said: “Only Matt Carruthers and Paul Hyde are left from when I was here. But the lads we’ve got in the team are quality players and no way are we going to end in those bottom four positions with this team. We just need to start scoring goals because apart from that we look solid.”

THE club’s exit from the FA Trophy at Staines on Saturday comes as a terrific disappointment and a realisation that there are no more extra pay-days this season.

Although we had a great gate against AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup we would have preferred a passage through to the next stage and some prize money on the way. The form book gave us no right to expect an easy ride against Staines but fresh zip brought in by new manager Steve Browne suggested to many that we might at least get a replay.

This is something of a bitter pill and when the board meets in the next seven days we have to look at the finance needed to get through the remainder of the season, remembering that our gift at Barnet last January provided us with a share of a decent gate as well as the prize money and a home replay against Forest Green Rovers, plus that prize money. All in all, in excess of £10,000.

We will also be contacting the CVA supervisor to establish if the outcome of the legal opinion on Modification 5 is known, given that it is around a month overdue. Either way, we are expecting to have to pay over the £23k imminently.

We’ve made no secret of the fact that the club has been carrying a c. £25k from each of its last two seasons. We have survived by using tomorrow’s money to pay yesterday’s debts. This has been possible through varying degrees of success in cup competitions which have kept the bonus matches and prize monies rolling into the second half of the season.

The possibility of extending that scenario was snuffed out at Staines last Saturday.

Last week, the Supporters Trust made a further contribution towards the club in exchange for shares in order that the monthly instalment to the CVA could be paid. Unfortunately, that takes a fair chunk out of the war chest.

More than ever we need fans to rally round and support the three home fixtures that arise within 11 days of each other at the end of this month, the David Elleray evening in between and the various Trust fundraisers (including the Supporters Plaques, Christmas Raffle and the Walk to Folkestone).

It is also a timely reminder to the businesses in and around the town that once offered marvellous support to the club that you are needed more than ever.

We are trying hard to build things at Dover Athletic and hope that everyone can see that – but we need the town, fans and businesses, to get behind us.

THE club’s exit from the FA Trophy at Staines on Saturday comes as a terrific disappointment and a realisation that there are no more extra pay-days this season.

Although we had a great gate against AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup we would have preferred a passage through to the next stage and some prize money on the way. The form book gave us no right to expect an easy ride against Staines but fresh zip brought in by new manager Steve Browne suggested to many that we might at least get a replay.

This is something of a bitter pill and when the board meets in the next seven days we have to look at the finance needed to get through the remainder of the season, remembering that our gift at Barnet last January provided us with a share of a decent gate as well as the prize money and a home replay against Forest Green Rovers, plus that prize money. All in all, in excess of £10,000.

We will also be contacting the CVA supervisor to establish if the outcome of the legal opinion on Modification 5 is known, given that it is around a month overdue. Either way, we are expecting to have to pay over the £23k imminently.

We’ve made no secret of the fact that the club has been carrying a c. £25k from each of its last two seasons. We have survived by using tomorrow’s money to pay yesterday’s debts. This has been possible through varying degrees of success in cup competitions which have kept the bonus matches and prize monies rolling into the second half of the season.

The possibility of extending that scenario was snuffed out at Staines last Saturday.

Last week, the Supporters Trust made a further contribution towards the club in exchange for shares in order that the monthly instalment to the CVA could be paid. Unfortunately, that takes a fair chunk out of the war chest.

More than ever we need fans to rally round and support the three home fixtures that arise within 11 days of each other at the end of this month, the David Elleray evening in between and the various Trust fundraisers (including the Supporters Plaques, Christmas Raffle and the Walk to Folkestone).

It is also a timely reminder to the businesses in and around the town that once offered marvellous support to the club that you are needed more than ever.

We are trying hard to build things at Dover Athletic and hope that everyone can see that – but we need the town, fans and businesses, to get behind us.

There will be a pitch inspection at the Hoverspeed Stadium on Saturday morning to assess the state of the playing surface prior to the Dr. Martens League Premier Division match between Dover Athletic and Hinckley United.

The pitch is currently very wet and the chances of the game going ahead depend on the overnight weather. The result of the inspection will be made available on the club answer phone (01304 822373) at around 9:00am.

Assuming the match goes ahead, Dover will be looking to cement their place in the top 13 and move a step closer to guaranteed qualification for Conference 2 next season. Richard Langley will also be hoping to avenge the 3-1 defeat at Middlefield Lane earlier in the season when his side performed very poorly in only his third game in charge.

Both sides are suffering from suspensions. The Whites will be without last season’s player-of-the-year Jamie Day, who is serving a one match ban for 5 yellow cards. Andy Arnott and Danny Chapman’s suspensions do not begin until after this match. Hinckley have defender Andy Penney and midfielder Jamie Lenton both suspended for one match also.

Athletic will also be without Jones Awuah who has been recalled from his loan spell by Gillingham. With Israel Amadi also having left the club, young reserve team forward Chris Wright is likely to be given a place on the bench.

There will be a pitch inspection at the Hoverspeed Stadium on Saturday morning to assess the state of the playing surface prior to the Dr. Martens League Premier Division match between Dover Athletic and Hinckley United.

The pitch is currently very wet and the chances of the game going ahead depend on the overnight weather. The result of the inspection will be made available on the club answer phone (01304 822373) at around 9:00am.

Assuming the match goes ahead, Dover will be looking to cement their place in the top 13 and move a step closer to guaranteed qualification for Conference 2 next season. Richard Langley will also be hoping to avenge the 3-1 defeat at Middlefield Lane earlier in the season when his side performed very poorly in only his third game in charge.

Both sides are suffering from suspensions. The Whites will be without last season’s player-of-the-year Jamie Day, who is serving a one match ban for 5 yellow cards. Andy Arnott and Danny Chapman’s suspensions do not begin until after this match. Hinckley have defender Andy Penney and midfielder Jamie Lenton both suspended for one match also.

Athletic will also be without Jones Awuah who has been recalled from his loan spell by Gillingham. With Israel Amadi also having left the club, young reserve team forward Chris Wright is likely to be given a place on the bench.

As the race for Conference 2 qualification hots up, Dover boss Richard Langley has had his job made more difficult by suspensions for three of his key players.

Captain Andy Arnott will be ruled out for four matches following his dismissal at Weymouth. He received a two match ban for the red card and a further two matches for collecting 10 or more cards this season.

Danny Chapman, who missed the first six matches of the season through suspension and a further three matches in January for a sending off at Weston-super-Mare, takes his tally into double figures with a two match ban for his dismissal at Weymouth.

Both Chapman and Arnott will begin their suspensions next weekend when the Whites visit Chippenham in the league. Midfielder Jamie Day serves a one match suspension when Athletic host Hinckley United at the Hoverspeed Stadium tomorrow.

Dover Athletic have confirmed the departure of Issy Amadi, the striker who signed a two-year contract at the beginning of the season after he impressed in pre-season.

The 22-year-old failed to earn a place in the Dover squad and a number of disciplinary problems regarding his lateness and failure to turn up to games from his North London home led to his contract being terminated by mutual consent. It is thought he may now link up with former Whites boss Clive Walker at Chatham.

Courtesy of the Dover Express

Richard Langley’s playing resources have been further depleted by the departure from Crabble of forward Jones Awuah.

The on-loan Gillingham forward has been recalled by the First Division club to help ease their injury crisis.

Awuah’s recall leaves Athletic short of attacking options following the recent departures of Tommy Tyne and fringe forwards Michael Smissen and Israel Amadi.