*BS*Here’s a little wheeze I heartily recommend you replicate if you’re of the persuasion that enjoys good company and a snifter or two on a Sunday afternoon…*BF*

Simply find a welcoming pub that is showing a live Premier League game on Sky and make yourself comfortable.

Watch the match up to the point when you need to visit the little boy’s room and then announce to the assembled throng:

“Speaking as a Dover fan, I don’t know how you can watch this boring old tosh every week!”

This was my response to the first half of the Liverpool v Arsenal game last Sunday and it certainly provoked a little lively debate amongst the customers of the Red Lion. The thing is, I meant it.

You’ll have surmised, no doubt, that I was still chipper following the Mighty Whites’ fabulous start to the season the previous day. And whilst there could scarcely be a better way to start the season than winning 1-0 at Woking, it was the way Dover supporters reacted to the start of the new season that, for this punter at least, was the day’s most pleasing factor.

Of course, both clubs had hoped to start this season playing at a higher level. Both missed out in the play-offs. And whilst that’s a problem that so often creates a hangover that carries on into the following season, this wasn’t an ailment that Whites seemed to be suffering from. And whilst I’ve never known a Woking crowd – of over 1,400 – to be so subdued, neither have I known Dover fans of all ages, shapes and sizes to be quite so keyed up over the start of a season.

“Buzzin, mate, just buzzin!” in the words of the Champion fellow.

Dover fans have turned a few away games into home ones by sheer volume and numbers, of course. Doing so at Kingfield is something altogether different.

There’s nothing like a little upheaval and righteous indignation to rally the troops, I guess. And I should be thankful for the fact that I wasn’t writing back page local newspaper leads in the close season, as I would almost certainly have misbehaved and spent a week or two in the naughty chair. In the event, I felt like a proper grown-up when I simply deleted our “Manager” Ian Hendon’s mobile phone number from my contacts list, rather than posting it on Facebook.

*Q1*Seriously, I rather take the view that these things happen for a reason and I don’t suppose I’m alone in thinking that matters, following the appointment of Martin Hayes, have panned out just fine. Naturally, Andy Hessenthaler will be a tough act to follow. His three seasons at the club were halcyon days that will live long in the memory. Did I say long? I meant forever.

Quite simply, we’ve been spoilt rotten. But we’re worth it!

The club have been on a roll for a little while now and I can’t see any reason why this state of affairs can’t continue, particularly if we fans continue to concentrate on what our club is doing rather than concern ourselves with what’s going on elsewhere. And having gone through our share of bad times – and boy did we have our share of those – we’re far better equipped to milk the good days for all they’re worth.

Do you remember what you were doing six years ago, almost to the day? I do, as I’m sad that way. I was enduring one of my worst Dover-supporting afternoons, watching Whites get battered 5-2 at Cheshunt. Football comparisons fail me, but imagine that you’ve been strapped to a chair and forced to watch the entire box set of Friends whilst having your leg hacked off with a dull spoon.

Well, the Cheshunt experience wasn’t that nice, but it’s days like this that enable us to doubly appreciate what we have now. Accordingly, an indifferent second half showing in a 2-2 draw with Welling on Tuesday was still a comparative bowl of cherries.

What I’m saying, I guess, is that these are the good times and we should celebrate them while we can. Never, I genuinely believe, has the football at Crabble been more entertaining than in recent times. Given Martin Hayes’ beliefs about how he feels the game should be played, I’m sure we’ll continue to get our money’s worth.

I’m not sure what the gaffer thought of the aforementioned Arsenal game, but I’ll be sure to ask.

*BS*MARTIN HAYES has this morning completed the signing of central defender Bobby Aisien.

*BF*Aisien played for the Whites during pre-season against Carshalton and comes highly recommended from Rushden and Diamonds boss Justin Edinburgh.

Hayes said: “We needed some cover at centre-half, as we only really have Dean Hill as back-up in that position.

“Bobby was at Wingate and Finchley when I was there very briefly. I didn’t really know him that well as I was there for a short time and he was a very young player.

“But since then he has played in the Conference and is a strong lad. I am happy to take him on board to battle it out with the other lads for a starting spot.”

*Link1*

*BS*Here’s a little wheeze I heartily recommend you replicate if you’re of the persuasion that enjoys good company and a snifter or two on a Sunday afternoon…*BF*

Simply find a welcoming pub that is showing a live Premier League game on Sky and make yourself comfortable.

Watch the match up to the point when you need to visit the little boy’s room and then announce to the assembled throng:

“Speaking as a Dover fan, I don’t know how you can watch this boring old tosh every week!”

This was my response to the first half of the Liverpool v Arsenal game last Sunday and it certainly provoked a little lively debate amongst the customers of the Red Lion. The thing is, I meant it.

You’ll have surmised, no doubt, that I was still chipper following the Mighty Whites’ fabulous start to the season the previous day. And whilst there could scarcely be a better way to start the season than winning 1-0 at Woking, it was the way Dover supporters reacted to the start of the new season that, for this punter at least, was the day’s most pleasing factor.

Of course, both clubs had hoped to start this season playing at a higher level. Both missed out in the play-offs. And whilst that’s a problem that so often creates a hangover that carries on into the following season, this wasn’t an ailment that Whites seemed to be suffering from. And whilst I’ve never known a Woking crowd – of over 1,400 – to be so subdued, neither have I known Dover fans of all ages, shapes and sizes to be quite so keyed up over the start of a season.

“Buzzin, mate, just buzzin!” in the words of the Champion fellow.

Dover fans have turned a few away games into home ones by sheer volume and numbers, of course. Doing so at Kingfield is something altogether different.

There’s nothing like a little upheaval and righteous indignation to rally the troops, I guess. And I should be thankful for the fact that I wasn’t writing back page local newspaper leads in the close season, as I would almost certainly have misbehaved and spent a week or two in the naughty chair. In the event, I felt like a proper grown-up when I simply deleted our “Manager” Ian Hendon’s mobile phone number from my contacts list, rather than posting it on Facebook.

*Q1*Seriously, I rather take the view that these things happen for a reason and I don’t suppose I’m alone in thinking that matters, following the appointment of Martin Hayes, have panned out just fine. Naturally, Andy Hessenthaler will be a tough act to follow. His three seasons at the club were halcyon days that will live long in the memory. Did I say long? I meant forever.

Quite simply, we’ve been spoilt rotten. But we’re worth it!

The club have been on a roll for a little while now and I can’t see any reason why this state of affairs can’t continue, particularly if we fans continue to concentrate on what our club is doing rather than concern ourselves with what’s going on elsewhere. And having gone through our share of bad times – and boy did we have our share of those – we’re far better equipped to milk the good days for all they’re worth.

Do you remember what you were doing six years ago, almost to the day? I do, as I’m sad that way. I was enduring one of my worst Dover-supporting afternoons, watching Whites get battered 5-2 at Cheshunt. Football comparisons fail me, but imagine that you’ve been strapped to a chair and forced to watch the entire box set of Friends whilst having your leg hacked off with a dull spoon.

Well, the Cheshunt experience wasn’t that nice, but it’s days like this that enable us to doubly appreciate what we have now. Accordingly, an indifferent second half showing in a 2-2 draw with Welling on Tuesday was still a comparative bowl of cherries.

What I’m saying, I guess, is that these are the good times and we should celebrate them while we can. Never, I genuinely believe, has the football at Crabble been more entertaining than in recent times. Given Martin Hayes’ beliefs about how he feels the game should be played, I’m sure we’ll continue to get our money’s worth.

I’m not sure what the gaffer thought of the aforementioned Arsenal game, but I’ll be sure to ask.

*BS*MARTIN HAYES has this morning completed the signing of central defender Bobby Aisien.

*BF*Aisien played for the Whites during pre-season against Carshalton and comes highly recommended from Rushden and Diamonds boss Justin Edinburgh.

Hayes said: “We needed some cover at centre-half, as we only really have Dean Hill as back-up in that position.

“Bobby was at Wingate and Finchley when I was there very briefly. I didn’t really know him that well as I was there for a short time and he was a very young player.

“But since then he has played in the Conference and is a strong lad. I am happy to take him on board to battle it out with the other lads for a starting spot.”

*Link1*

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*BS*WHITES fans will be delighted to know boss Martin Hayes has not been placed on suicide watch – even if his team did almost hang themselves at Crabble last night.

*BF*Dover took an early lead against Welling through Luke I’Anson, then wasted several chances before allowing their old rivals to get back into the game.

And at one stage the Whites were in serious danger of losing until Adam Birchall’s equaliser saved a point.

This morning, with a huge sigh, Hayes said: “Well, I’m not quite suicidal – but that was a depressing night.

“We were expecting a solid performance and wanted to build on the superb win at Woking – but we ended up getting a bit of everything. We created lots of chances, should have put the game to bed, and then didn’t look the same team and let them back into it.

“I ended up being very grateful for a point – although we really were aiming to win last night.”

That is four points from the first two games – and having played Woking away and Welling at home that is a return Hayes would have taken before the season started.

He admitted: “Four points from these two games would have been acceptable. But I just have a feeling I’d have felt so much better had we got a point at Woking and beat Welling last night.

“Yet, for some reason, I feel a little deflated with the results the other way round.

“All the lads are dejected but we must put the bad parts of the Welling performance behind us – and focus on beating Staines at home on Saturday. And they’re another club with play-off ambitions this season.”

Matt Fish was out of sorts before going off injured – and Hayes admitted: “Welling had a lot more joy down the right flank than we expected.

“Fishy was a bit off colour before getting injured – but I am sure he will bounce back.”

Hayes insists that the start of seasons are always unpredictable.

He said: “Bishop’s Stortford are aiming to stay up – and they’ve won their first two. I expected Staines to get something against them last night.

“It’s so much harder at the start of the season because generally everyone starts strongly. It’s later in the season, when clubs let players go, that you start to see a difference between the top and bottom sides.”

Hayes was delighted for Birchall getting his first goal of the season.

He said: “Adam was unlucky not to get a couple of Woking. He snatched at a few. He’s working hard and it was nice to see him get off the mark.”

*Link1*

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*BS*WHITES fans will be delighted to know boss Martin Hayes has not been placed on suicide watch – even if his team did almost hang themselves at Crabble last night.

*BF*Dover took an early lead against Welling through Luke I’Anson, then wasted several chances before allowing their old rivals to get back into the game.

And at one stage the Whites were in serious danger of losing until Adam Birchall’s equaliser saved a point.

This morning, with a huge sigh, Hayes said: “Well, I’m not quite suicidal – but that was a depressing night.

“We were expecting a solid performance and wanted to build on the superb win at Woking – but we ended up getting a bit of everything. We created lots of chances, should have put the game to bed, and then didn’t look the same team and let them back into it.

“I ended up being very grateful for a point – although we really were aiming to win last night.”

That is four points from the first two games – and having played Woking away and Welling at home that is a return Hayes would have taken before the season started.

He admitted: “Four points from these two games would have been acceptable. But I just have a feeling I’d have felt so much better had we got a point at Woking and beat Welling last night.

“Yet, for some reason, I feel a little deflated with the results the other way round.

“All the lads are dejected but we must put the bad parts of the Welling performance behind us – and focus on beating Staines at home on Saturday. And they’re another club with play-off ambitions this season.”

Matt Fish was out of sorts before going off injured – and Hayes admitted: “Welling had a lot more joy down the right flank than we expected.

“Fishy was a bit off colour before getting injured – but I am sure he will bounce back.”

Hayes insists that the start of seasons are always unpredictable.

He said: “Bishop’s Stortford are aiming to stay up – and they’ve won their first two. I expected Staines to get something against them last night.

“It’s so much harder at the start of the season because generally everyone starts strongly. It’s later in the season, when clubs let players go, that you start to see a difference between the top and bottom sides.”

Hayes was delighted for Birchall getting his first goal of the season.

He said: “Adam was unlucky not to get a couple of Woking. He snatched at a few. He’s working hard and it was nice to see him get off the mark.”

*Link1*

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