*BS*ANDY HESSENTHALER has today left Dover Athletic by mutual consent.

*BF*The Whites boss has had a stunning three years at Crabble – guiding the club to two league titles and a Blue Square South runners-up spot in successive seasons.

Hess will go down as one of the most successful managers in Dover’s history and will be a tough act to follow.

Chairman Jim Parmenter told doverathletic.com this morning: “We had a very amicable meeting yesterday where we discussed his future at the club in light of the approach from Gillingham.

“We agreed that it was in Dover Athletic’s interest – and his – that we had a swift outcome to this as any uncertainty is not good.

“Andy agreed and slept on it overnight – and he decided it was in the best interests of all concerned that he moves on.

“I place on record our gratitude to Andy. His achievements at this club have been nothing short of amazing.

“He goes with our very best wishes and I would like to say that he has acted very professionally in all my dealings with him. It’s been a pleasure to work with Andy.”

Hess admitted it has been a very tough week and that he was leaving the club with incredible memories.

He said: “I’m leaving with a very heavy heart. I’m not exaggerating when I say that I’ve not had much sleep these past few days. I’ve had to put a lot of thought into this decision because my time at Dover Athletic has been amazing.

“From the day I walked in, I’ve had a great relationship with the chairman, the board and all the fans, who have been first class to me.

“Together we’ve achieved so much – and the five-year plan of getting this club back into the Blue Square Premier has not finished because I’m leaving.

“Whoever comes in, he will have another two years to finish the job – and that is going to happen because Dover Athletic have that ambition and the chairman is backing that.

“I hope fans understand that I’ve always been clear that if I had the chance to take a job in the Football League, I’d like the opportunity to go for it.

“I’m sure a lot of people have sometime in their lives had the chance to land a job promotion. This move is what I see it as – a job promotion.

“And wherever I eventually end up during my managerial career my relationship with Dover Athletic and the chairman remains very good. I will always be a friend off-the-pitch to Jim Parmenter and the club … as well as in the football business too.

“I will always help DAFC in any way I can.”

Dover Athletic hope to appoint a new manager quickly and the Whites chairman says he is talking to one candidate within the next 24 hours.

He said: “I’ve already had CVs sent to me and taken a couple of calls. We’ll be looking to get an experienced top manager in place very quickly.”

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*BS*ANDY HESSENTHALER says the speculation linking him with a return to Gillingham has been an unwelcome distraction from the important business of planning a promotion push next season.

*BF*The Whites boss had to field calls all day yesterday – and again today – from journalists desperate to land the scoop of who Paul Scally is going to appoint as Gills boss.

Hess once again reiterated: “I’ve had absolutely no contact with Gillingham. They’ve not called me and I’m not expecting a call.

“I had a great time at Gillingham and the fans there have put me in the frame, and that’s very nice of them.

“Of course, I want to get back into the Football League one day again and my chairman won’t stand in my way – but Gillingham have not contacted me and I’m only interested in my job as Dover Athletic manager.”

Hess confirmed he is releasing John Whitehouse, Jake Leberl, Danny Walder and Frannie Collin.

He said: “Frannie is the big eye-opener I’m sure. He’s been superb for us, scoring a lot of goals.

“But I just feel Frannie needs a new challenge – and I’m going to be helping him get a new club. He won’t be short of offers because he’s a brilliant player.”

“Danny’s come here and not done much wrong – but we’ve offered Matt Fish a new deal and I don’t see Danny ahead of him.

“John Whitehouse is a fans’ favourite and again done well during his time here but Lee Hook and Ross Flitney are ahead of him – and John needs to be playing.

“And Jake has done brilliant. His attitude has been good. But football may not be his biggest priority now after having a baby. He’s a terrific lad, struggled a bit with injuries and we need to cut our cloth to have funds to freshen things up.

“He certainly goes with our very best wishes – as do all the boys!”

Lee Hook is having a minor knee operation this summer but remains on the transfer list.

Craig Cloke will be offered an incentive pay-as-you-play deal due to his injury problems – while the rest of the squad have been offered new contracts.

Hess said: “We fell just short of going up. I don’t think we will have a Newport type of team in there next season and the title race will be much closer.

“I’ve got irons in the fire and am talking to a couple of lads next week. We needed to free up some funds to bring new players in – and that’s what we’re doing.”

*BS*ANDY HESSENTHALER says the speculation linking him with a return to Gillingham has been an unwelcome distraction from the important business of planning a promotion push next season.

*BF*The Whites boss had to field calls all day yesterday – and again today – from journalists desperate to land the scoop of who Paul Scally is going to appoint as Gills boss.

Hess once again reiterated: “I’ve had absolutely no contact with Gillingham. They’ve not called me and I’m not expecting a call.

“I had a great time at Gillingham and the fans there have put me in the frame, and that’s very nice of them.

“Of course, I want to get back into the Football League one day again and my chairman won’t stand in my way – but Gillingham have not contacted me and I’m only interested in my job as Dover Athletic manager.”

Hess confirmed he is releasing John Whitehouse, Jake Leberl, Danny Walder and Frannie Collin.

He said: “Frannie is the big eye-opener I’m sure. He’s been superb for us, scoring a lot of goals.

“But I just feel Frannie needs a new challenge – and I’m going to be helping him get a new club. He won’t be short of offers because he’s a brilliant player.”

“Danny’s come here and not done much wrong – but we’ve offered Matt Fish a new deal and I don’t see Danny ahead of him.

“John Whitehouse is a fans’ favourite and again done well during his time here but Lee Hook and Ross Flitney are ahead of him – and John needs to be playing.

“And Jake has done brilliant. His attitude has been good. But football may not be his biggest priority now after having a baby. He’s a terrific lad, struggled a bit with injuries and we need to cut our cloth to have funds to freshen things up.

“He certainly goes with our very best wishes – as do all the boys!”

Lee Hook is having a minor knee operation this summer but remains on the transfer list.

Craig Cloke will be offered an incentive pay-as-you-play deal due to his injury problems – while the rest of the squad have been offered new contracts.

Hess said: “We fell just short of going up. I don’t think we will have a Newport type of team in there next season and the title race will be much closer.

“I’ve got irons in the fire and am talking to a couple of lads next week. We needed to free up some funds to bring new players in – and that’s what we’re doing.”

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*BS*DOVER ATHLETIC have released their admission and season ticket prices for next season.

*BF*It is with regret that the club have had to take the difficult decision to increase prices but they have raised the age for junior concessions from 16 to 18.

Also, as usual, there are discounts on anyone who purchases a new season ticket before June 30.

chairman Jim Parmenter said: “We froze prices for last season but we took a financial hit last season. We have raised the prices to ensure we maintain a robust budget for next season but have listened to our supporters’ concern about a lack of young supporters in the 16-18 age group, and have raised the concession age to 18.”

The prices are as follows:

*BS*SINGLE GAME ENTRY – Adults: *BF*£12, Over-60s £9, Under-18s £6, Under-11s £3.

*BS*STAND TRANSFER: *BF*£1.50 (no change in price), concessions £1, Under-11 free.

*BS*SEASON TICKET PRICES: *BF*Adult ground: Before June 30 £210; After June 30 £240.

*BS*Adult seat: *BF*Before June 30 £240; After June 30 £270.

*BS*Over-60s ground: *BF*Before June 30 £149; After June 30 £179.

*BS*Over-60 seat: *BF*Before June 30 £170; After June 30 £200.

*BS*Under-18s ground: *BF*Before June 30 £100; After June 30 £116.

*BS*Under-16 seat: *BF*Before June 30 £120; After June 30 £136.

*BS*VIP season ticket with VIP seating (free bar and buffer every match): *BF*£595 (no discounts, limited numbers available).

*BS*JIM PARMENTER interview will be online this evening where he talks about the ticket-price hike and the club’s plans for next season.