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*BS*Further to an article that has been published by the Torquay Herald Express this morning, Dover Athletic Football Club would like to make a statement and clarify the position regarding Toby Ajala.*BF*

The club were very disappointed to read quotes in the local newspaper stating that Torquay United are preparing to take Dover Athletic to an FA tribunal and are seeking compensation for the player who joined us in September.

Prior to Tuesday night’s 3-2 victory at Plainmoor, Dover Athletic chairman Jim Parmenter met with officials from Torquay United and, when the issue was raised, clarified that no compensation was due, as per regulations.

We have no case to answer in relation to these allegations. We have not used a loophole or acted in an inappropriate or underhanded manner, we have simply applied the regulations that all clubs have to work to. We are disappointed that Torquay United have approached the press prior to any discussion on the subject but trust that following clarification of the regulations last night, the matter is closed.

Dover Athletic trust that this draws a line under the matter and that our focus can now continue to stay on this season’s Vanarama National League campaign.

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*BS*Dover Athletic manager Chris Kinnear was in attendance for the Academy’s 6-1 victory over Dartford in the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday night, and offered his reaction after the match – describing the side as “unbelievable”.*BF*

The win at Princes Park in the Second Qualifying Round of the FA Youth Cup sealed the Academy’s progression to the next round. Kinnear said: “They were unbelievable and tore them apart after going 1-0 down early into the game. They did themselves, and the club, proud!

“A lot of these youngsters played in the Kent Senior Cup with the first team, and must have got used to what it is like to do well. Plus, Mike Sandmann – the Academy manager – coaches with the first team from time to time.

“Jack Parkinson, Sean Raggett, Chris Kinnear Jr and Andy Rafferty all watched the match with me. Mike pointed out to Raggs that the Academy are doing better in the FA Youth Cup than when he was there! The first team we have at Dover Athletic is also young, so there is a lot of excellent young football going on in Dover at the moment.

“A scout from Reading was also there, and he was very impressed with two or three of our boys. Mike Sandmann and all of the coaching staff involved with the Academy – Rob Peck, Gemma Horswell, Alistair Wren and Raffers – all deserve a lot of credit for the performance and for helping the side get through to the next round.”

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*BS*Further to an article that has been published by the Torquay Herald Express this morning, Dover Athletic Football Club would like to make a statement and clarify the position regarding Toby Ajala.*BF*

The club were very disappointed to read quotes in the local newspaper stating that Torquay United are preparing to take Dover Athletic to an FA tribunal and are seeking compensation for the player who joined us in September.

Prior to Tuesday night’s 3-2 victory at Plainmoor, Dover Athletic chairman Jim Parmenter met with officials from Torquay United and, when the issue was raised, clarified that no compensation was due, as per regulations.

We have no case to answer in relation to these allegations. We have not used a loophole or acted in an inappropriate or underhanded manner, we have simply applied the regulations that all clubs have to work to. We are disappointed that Torquay United have approached the press prior to any discussion on the subject but trust that following clarification of the regulations last night, the matter is closed.

Dover Athletic trust that this draws a line under the matter and that our focus can now continue to stay on this season’s Vanarama National League campaign.

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*IS**BS*VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE
DATE:*BF* Tuesday 6th October 2015
*BS*KICK-OFF:*BF* 7.45pm
*BS*VENUE:*BF* Plainmoor Ground, Torquay TQ1 3PS*IF*

*BS*Dover follow up their weekend trip to Gateshead with a 520 mile round journey to face Torquay United on Tuesday night, with the side sitting in 5th place in the Vanarama National League table – their highest standing in 15 years.*BF*

Even the most ardent of Whites supporters would have struggled to anticipate what has happened over the last three matches. Having failed to win in four, and scoring just two goals in the process, a dramatic rejuvenation has seen the side pick up maximum points from games against Eastleigh (5-2), Woking (2-0) and Gateshead (3-2).

The trip to struggling Torquay United on Tuesday night gives Chris Kinnear’s men a chance to win four consecutive league games for the first time since returning to the top flight of non-league football, with the side currently occupying 5th place in the Vanarama National League table – the highest position in 15 years.

After struggling to convert chances, Whites are now firing on all cylinders and the 10 goals in three games are a sign that the club are now comfortable, confident and competent at the upper echelons of the table.

Dover are now one of just three sides to have lost twice this season, and a trip to Devon offers a real opportunity to further climb the table and continue the excellent run of form.

A win for Whites could see them climb to third place, whilst three points for Torquay could lift them two places to 20th.

*BS*TEAM NEWS*BF*
Liam Bellamy is expected to be unavailable for the fixture, as he recovers from an injury sustained in the recent victory over Woking. Therefore, Chris Kinnear is expected to stick with the same eleven that won at Gateshead, which would see Parkinson replace Bellamy as a like-for-like replacement.

Tom Murphy is expected to take up a position on the substitute bench once again, as he continues to try and force his way back into the side after injury. Ricky Modeste is still unavailable for selection, also through injury.

Torquay United are not believed to have any injury doubts ahead of the match.

*BS*MORE ON OPPOSITION*BF*
The Gulls – who were playing League One football just over a decade ago – are in turmoil.

The Devon side, who finished 13th in the Vanarama National League table last season, have recently appointed Kevin Nicholson as their player-manager, after Paul Cox walked away from Plainmoor after less than three months in charge – citing personal reasons for his departure.

Those personal reasons seem to revolve around money. Cox had been claiming expenses only, and did not have a contract with Torquay. In a statement, he said: “When I arrived, I understood the financial difficulty the club was in and happily took the position, which I knew initially would be unpaid. My assistant manager and I were the only people at the football club that were not being paid and I felt I was well within my rights to call a meeting and ask for some transparency from the board as to my financial future.

“It was made clear to me that the club would not be in a position to pay me a salary of any kind in the near future. Having family back home to support, it was with a heavy heart that I then had to make the decision to resign with immediate effect.”

Torquay are 22nd in the Vanarama National League table, and are winless in their last 11 matches – having lost their last four (3-7 vs Bromley, 1-2 vs Boreham Wood, 0-2 vs Lincoln City, 0-2 vs Aldershot Town). They have picked up just one point from their last six home matches, conceding 16 goals in the process, whilst away from home Dover have lost just one of their last six.

James Hurst leads the scoring charts for Tuesday’s hosts, with five goals. For Dover, Stefan Payne leads the way with six.

*BS*LAST SEASON*BF*
Torquay recorded a 2-0 win over Dover at Plainmoor in September, before the sides played out an entertaining 2-2 at Crabble in the return fixture in December. Our goals on that day came from Connor Essam and Tyrone Sterling, and you can watch highlights of that match here:

[utube]

*BS*MATCH INFORMATION*BF*
Supporters unable to make the game are also able to follow the action via @DAFCLiveText on Twitter.

*BS*OTHER VANARAMA NATIONAL LEAGUE FIXTURES*BF*
*IS*Tuesday 6th October, 7.45pm*IF*
Altrincham vs Halifax
Barrow vs Chester
Cheltenham vs Braintree
Grimsby vs Gateshead
Guiseley vs Macclesfield
Kidderminster vs Boreham Wood
Welling vs Bromley
Wrexham vs Tranmere

*IS*Wednesday 7th October, 7.45pm*IF*
Aldershot vs Forest Green – live on BT Sport

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