OUCH! I am off work today, Friday, after I stood on a nail that went right through my shoe and the middle of my right foot.

I had to bathe it yesterday – after a half hour wait as I was working in Rye – and my fiancee Simone had a good look at it this morning and she says the bruising has come right up, which is good news.

Clive has told me to bite the bullet and play against Bashley tomorrow – and I reckon I probably will. I’ve got to let him know tonight but the signs are good, seeing as the bruising has come through.

I played with injured ribs before so hope that this won’t prevent me from helping us get three points tomorrow.

It was a very busy Bank Holiday weekend, where we churned out another couple of wins, but the hot conditions took a lot out of us.

I noticed some fans had criticised our performance against Ashford on Monday. We know it was a bit flat but, having just played a game in baking conditions at Lymington and New Milton two days earlier, it was tough to play another 90 minutes in boiling weather at Crabble against a side that was up for it.

Sometimes you go into auto pilot. The Ashford game was never going to be pretty and it was all about getting the three points, which we’ve done – and over the two games we’ve not conceded a goal. So we’ve done really well.

It was long trip down to Lymington. I was up at 7am and had picked up the coach at 8.30am. So it was another early night on Friday. As a Dover player, it’s important to prepare properly for games so I always take it easy the night before a match. Simone and I watched Coach Carter.

On the coach the next day, Dale Skelton and Dean Readings were cutting out people who look like Dover players. So there was Janice from Coronation Street, who looked like me after having a skinhead, and then Sloth from the Goonies, who looks like Dean Readings.

Lee Spiller was taking the mick out of Deano – and the sounds he makes. Deano makes noises without actually speaking – that’s the way he is. It’s an “urrrrggghhh” kind of sound.

We then took a look at our Dream Team league and I got a lot of stick because I’m bottom despite having Roy Keane, Steven Gerrard, Alan Shearer, Jermain Defoe and Jose Reyes in my side! Daniel Braithwaite is top and Deano is second at the moment.

Long trips do build up the team spirit but it can make the day an uphill task. When you’re sitting on a long journey, you can get bored and the body becomes a bit stiff.

Then you get off the coach and you arrive at a ground, which is not as nice as Crabble and facilities which are very basic. It can be a bit of an anti-climax because it’s easy to look around at these grounds and feel a bit down. That makes it twice as hard to get yourself up for an away game because the pitch is terrible and you’re feeling stiff.

But Clive gets us up for the games, as he is a top motivator, and then there’s people like Spills, who will do silly little dances, muck about and get us all in a good mood.

When you look at these grounds, it makes us think that we’ve got to get ourselves out of this division – and back up the pyramid so we can start playing at some decent stadiums again.

Seeing the Dover fans at the away games helps motivate us too – we see all the usual faces and we go out there to do the business for them.

The refereeing at this level is a bit different to what we’re used to. I put in a challenge in the first half at Lymington, which saw me win the ball – but the ref told me that if I did that kind of tackle again he’d book me or send me off, which was a bit of a surprise.

Then, I did the same challenge in the second half and got booked. Three players were sent off in a game, which wasn’t that dirty. Nicky Humphrey was very unlucky to be shown a red card late on. Sometimes refs level things out, if they’ve sent off someone from the other side.

I do believe some refs get excited when they get a big club like Dover Athletic. I also think that they’re being watched by referee observers and they’re keen to impress so they can fast-track themselves into the Conference.

It’s a tough job for referees but the game has become almost a non-contact sport nowadays, which surely isn’t right.

With the defence looking good, it’s great to see Craig “Concrete Head” Wilkins on fire up front. You just know that if you stick a cross in, Wilko is going to get on the end of it. He’s superb and I’m glad he is fit again. Wilko helped me a lot when I first came into the side. He’s a lovely bloke and a class act.

After the match last Saturday, we had a laugh on the coach again. Everyone was in high spirits. We all pretended we were being interviewed by Tom Crawley on camera for the website’s DAFC TV. Tony Browne kept hogging the spotlight – not letting any of the other lads get a word in edgeways.

He’d say: “I should’ve crossed the ball a bit better for the first goal.” but would big himself up if he did something good in the match. “I’ve made a superb sliding tackle to rob the ball off their striker, got up, dusted myself down and sprayed a 40-yard pass up field for Tommy Tyne to hammer the ball home!” Stuff like that.

We were pleased with the three points on Monday. The boys looked solid and we were always the better side. We made sure that we finished the game with our noses in front.

In between games, I’ve been chilling out at home. I’ve got a six-week old baby girl Briseis and little puppy Razor. Simone and I plan to get married within a couple of years. We’re both saving up really hard to give ourselves a nice wedding abroad.

When my little ‘un was born I was on fire in front of goal but since her birth my run has been dry. As a defender I won’t get too many goals – so my main target will be to keep clean sheets.

So now we’re looking to do the business again down at Bashley. Fingers crossed, I’ll play and we’ll be top of the league at quarter to five.

CHAIRMAN Jim Parmenter has warned Dover fans that the battle to pay off the club’s debts is far from over.

The Supporters Trust is paying the club’s £3k monthly CVA payment for September to ease the club’s cashflow – which has been hit recently by a £9k tax bill for unpaid PAYE from the previous regime.

Whites – who have benefited from £50k in cash-injections from the Trust during the last two years – will need further help this season.

But Trust chairman Paul Harrison is concerned that there has been a recent drop-off in supporters making monthly donations to the Trust via standing order – and insists it is vital that fans continue to rally until the club’s debts are cleared once and for all.

Jim said: “When we came to the helm it was under the condition that the board works together with the supporters to clear these debts.

“It is vital that the Trust and all supporters get ready for one big push to get these debts cleared once and for all. Without that, we’ll end up getting ourselves into another situation where money will be needed in a short space of time to avoid the club folding – and we have to be careful not to end up in that kind of scenario.

“Dover fans have done a superb job in keeping this club going and I’m delighted with our relationship with the supporters, which is very strong.

“Things are going well on-the-pitch now and we’re slowly but surely clearing out the mess that we inherited.

“Yet it is absolutely vital that supporters don’t think that everything is fine on the financial front. The situation is far from fine and we need one big push to get ourselves back on a level playing field.”

Since Jim and the new board took control of Whites in January, the club has seen £180,000 of its debts cleared.

Dover Athletic still owes £44k on its CVA obligations and a further £47k to settle a long-standing bank overdraft.

Jim said: “The Trust has pledged a minimum of £12k this season – and that has been worked into our cash projections for the season. We asked if they could pay September’s CVA to ease our cashflow shortage due to immediate debts that had to be paid recently.

“If the Trust were able to match the £25k they have donated each season for the last two years during the course of this campaign, we’ll be near to clearing the CVA.

“So many people helped to save the club in January but the wolves are not away from the door yet – and we need a collective effort from the board down to the fans to raise funds so we can start each month without having to pay off debts all the time.”

Trust chairman Paul said: “We invested another £3k in exchange for shares after a request from the club to pay September’s CVA.

“It’s important that supporters remember that although the club has been made financially stable by the new board, we still have the CVA hanging over us. It has been good to see the healthy attendances at the first couple of league games with 772 at the Ashford match and several supporters joining the Trust at these games.

“The club board and the Trust are aiming to work together with the aim of getting the CVA paid up, but to do this we need the continued backing of the Trust members.”

CHAIRMAN Jim Parmenter has warned Dover fans that the battle to pay off the club’s debts is far from over.

The Supporters Trust is paying the club’s £3k monthly CVA payment for September to ease the club’s cashflow – which has been hit recently by a £9k tax bill for unpaid PAYE from the previous regime.

Whites – who have benefited from £50k in cash-injections from the Trust during the last two years – will need further help this season.

But Trust chairman Paul Harrison is concerned that there has been a recent drop-off in supporters making monthly donations to the Trust via standing order – and insists it is vital that fans continue to rally until the club’s debts are cleared once and for all.

Jim said: “When we came to the helm it was under the condition that the board works together with the supporters to clear these debts.

“It is vital that the Trust and all supporters get ready for one big push to get these debts cleared once and for all. Without that, we’ll end up getting ourselves into another situation where money will be needed in a short space of time to avoid the club folding – and we have to be careful not to end up in that kind of scenario.

“Dover fans have done a superb job in keeping this club going and I’m delighted with our relationship with the supporters, which is very strong.

“Things are going well on-the-pitch now and we’re slowly but surely clearing out the mess that we inherited.

“Yet it is absolutely vital that supporters don’t think that everything is fine on the financial front. The situation is far from fine and we need one big push to get ourselves back on a level playing field.”

Since Jim and the new board took control of Whites in January, the club has seen £180,000 of its debts cleared.

Dover Athletic still owes £44k on its CVA obligations and a further £47k to settle a long-standing bank overdraft.

Jim said: “The Trust has pledged a minimum of £12k this season – and that has been worked into our cash projections for the season. We asked if they could pay September’s CVA to ease our cashflow shortage due to immediate debts that had to be paid recently.

“If the Trust were able to match the £25k they have donated each season for the last two years during the course of this campaign, we’ll be near to clearing the CVA.

“So many people helped to save the club in January but the wolves are not away from the door yet – and we need a collective effort from the board down to the fans to raise funds so we can start each month without having to pay off debts all the time.”

Trust chairman Paul said: “We invested another £3k in exchange for shares after a request from the club to pay September’s CVA.

“It’s important that supporters remember that although the club has been made financially stable by the new board, we still have the CVA hanging over us. It has been good to see the healthy attendances at the first couple of league games with 772 at the Ashford match and several supporters joining the Trust at these games.

“The club board and the Trust are aiming to work together with the aim of getting the CVA paid up, but to do this we need the continued backing of the Trust members.”

CRAIG CLOKE already hates his new haircut – and believes it has brought him bad luck in front of goal.

The Whites ace – who scooped all four club player of the year awards last season – could not stop scoring during pre-season, bagging four in seven games.

But, since having his head shaved for the new season, he has failed to find the onion bag in the opening two Ryman League Division One games.

Yet, thankfully, Dover have not needed Clokey’s goals as front pair Craig Wilkins and Tommy Tyne have been on fire.

He said: “I’m going to grow it all back again. I reckon it’s brought me a bit of bad luck. I seemed to be scoring for fun – but since the real action has started I’ve been disappointed not to get on the scoresheet.

“But Wilko and Tommy have been a revelation up front for us and it’s great to see them pairing up again for Dover. I wouldn’t have thought there were many better front two in this division than them.

“It’s a good job they have been on-form because defensively we’ve not been too clever, especially in the first half at Horsham.”

Whites gifted Horsham two first half goals early on by playing just three defenders at the back on what proved to be a wide pitch at Queen Street. That ended up proving our downfall and Clokey is the first to admit that.

He said: “Clive Walker changed the formation at half time because our tactics ended up not being right for that kind of pitch. It was extremely wide and our game is centred around squeezing space.

“With a lot of width, they were pinging balls behind Dean Readings and Nicky Humphrey. Horsham had a lot of pace on their flanks and they were just ripping us to shreds, as we were not closing them down.

“Once Clive put four across the back, their game plan went out of the window and from that point we were a much better side – and deserved to win.

“It’s been a good positive start by the lads. Two wins out of two against a couple of the fancied sides. We’re on a bit of a run and it’s important we keep that going.”

Whites travel to Division One colleagues Lymington and New Milton in the FA Cup Preliminary Round – a stage of the competition the club have not entered since the 1980s.

However, that could prove a blessing in disguise as there is prize money available for every round a club progresses and few could argue that Whites have, on paper at least, a squad more than capable of getting through the early stages of the competition.

Clokey said: “It’ll be great for us to just keep that winning run going and to earn a bit of money for the club. We don’t know too much about Lymington and New Milton but that’s been the case for a lot of the sides we’ve met over the last couple of seasons.

“We certainly will be up for it and are determined to put in a strong away performance. We can be confident of winning but the team will not be taking them lightly, that’s for sure.”

The secret to Whites’ recent success, says Clokey, is the tremendous team spirit within the camp.

He said: “We all get on well together and have even started going for nights out together after games. We’re effectively all mates and it makes us want to work hard for each other on the pitch.

“I’ve never known such a high morale at Dover. It really is something else and we’re all pulling in the same direction to help get the club back up the divisions.”

CRAIG CLOKE already hates his new haircut – and believes it has brought him bad luck in front of goal.

The Whites ace – who scooped all four club player of the year awards last season – could not stop scoring during pre-season, bagging four in seven games.

But, since having his head shaved for the new season, he has failed to find the onion bag in the opening two Ryman League Division One games.

Yet, thankfully, Dover have not needed Clokey’s goals as front pair Craig Wilkins and Tommy Tyne have been on fire.

He said: “I’m going to grow it all back again. I reckon it’s brought me a bit of bad luck. I seemed to be scoring for fun – but since the real action has started I’ve been disappointed not to get on the scoresheet.

“But Wilko and Tommy have been a revelation up front for us and it’s great to see them pairing up again for Dover. I wouldn’t have thought there were many better front two in this division than them.

“It’s a good job they have been on-form because defensively we’ve not been too clever, especially in the first half at Horsham.”

Whites gifted Horsham two first half goals early on by playing just three defenders at the back on what proved to be a wide pitch at Queen Street. That ended up proving our downfall and Clokey is the first to admit that.

He said: “Clive Walker changed the formation at half time because our tactics ended up not being right for that kind of pitch. It was extremely wide and our game is centred around squeezing space.

“With a lot of width, they were pinging balls behind Dean Readings and Nicky Humphrey. Horsham had a lot of pace on their flanks and they were just ripping us to shreds, as we were not closing them down.

“Once Clive put four across the back, their game plan went out of the window and from that point we were a much better side – and deserved to win.

“It’s been a good positive start by the lads. Two wins out of two against a couple of the fancied sides. We’re on a bit of a run and it’s important we keep that going.”

Whites travel to Division One colleagues Lymington and New Milton in the FA Cup Preliminary Round – a stage of the competition the club have not entered since the 1980s.

However, that could prove a blessing in disguise as there is prize money available for every round a club progresses and few could argue that Whites have, on paper at least, a squad more than capable of getting through the early stages of the competition.

Clokey said: “It’ll be great for us to just keep that winning run going and to earn a bit of money for the club. We don’t know too much about Lymington and New Milton but that’s been the case for a lot of the sides we’ve met over the last couple of seasons.

“We certainly will be up for it and are determined to put in a strong away performance. We can be confident of winning but the team will not be taking them lightly, that’s for sure.”

The secret to Whites’ recent success, says Clokey, is the tremendous team spirit within the camp.

He said: “We all get on well together and have even started going for nights out together after games. We’re effectively all mates and it makes us want to work hard for each other on the pitch.

“I’ve never known such a high morale at Dover. It really is something else and we’re all pulling in the same direction to help get the club back up the divisions.”

DANNY CHAPMAN is back at Dover Athletic – after agreeing personal terms with chairman Jim Parmenter last night.

The midfielder, who left the club last summer, played Conference South football for Eastbourne last season – and narrowly missed out on helping them reach the Conference National after their 2-1 play-off final defeat against Altrincham.

Danny will add powerful muscle to the midfield and manager Clive Walker will almost certainly be looking for him to drive our Ryman One championship bid with his all-action style of play.

Jim said: “We had a look at our playing budget for the season, which was pretty much spent. But we’ve juggled things around from other parts of the club’s budget to free up a bit of money.

“There’s no doubting Danny’s credentials. He is a good player, has plenty of experience and wants to play for Clive.

“We want players who will roll their sleeves up, fight for their place in the team and help win the club a championship trophy at the end of the season.

“I’m confident that we have a team that will be challenging very strongly at the top of the table. There will be some hard games but if everyone works hard we can be confident of success.”

Clive was delighted to welcome back Danny to the club and added: “I love Danny to bits. He’s a decent player and I know him very well. It’s always been my aim since coming back to this club to get Dover Athletic winning football matches – and to do that you need good players and a good team. We’re starting to build that now.

“Pre-season is going well and there’s still a lot of hard work to come before the season kicks-off. But I’m very happy with the team we’ve got now.”

Danny is Whites’ fourth summer signing, following Tommy Tyne, Lee Spiller and Tony Browne back to Crabble.

The midfield ace is delighted to be back. He said: “This is a good club and I’m so happy that I’ll get a chance to help get it back to where it should be.

“We can win this division and that’s what we’re all aiming for. Also, it’s great to be back with Clive. I’ve got a lot of time for him and the chairman, Jim Parmenter.”

DANNY CHAPMAN is back at Dover Athletic – after agreeing personal terms with chairman Jim Parmenter last night.

The midfielder, who left the club last summer, played Conference South football for Eastbourne last season – and narrowly missed out on helping them reach the Conference National after their 2-1 play-off final defeat against Altrincham.

Danny will add powerful muscle to the midfield and manager Clive Walker will almost certainly be looking for him to drive our Ryman One championship bid with his all-action style of play.

Jim said: “We had a look at our playing budget for the season, which was pretty much spent. But we’ve juggled things around from other parts of the club’s budget to free up a bit of money.

“There’s no doubting Danny’s credentials. He is a good player, has plenty of experience and wants to play for Clive.

“We want players who will roll their sleeves up, fight for their place in the team and help win the club a championship trophy at the end of the season.

“I’m confident that we have a team that will be challenging very strongly at the top of the table. There will be some hard games but if everyone works hard we can be confident of success.”

Clive was delighted to welcome back Danny to the club and added: “I love Danny to bits. He’s a decent player and I know him very well. It’s always been my aim since coming back to this club to get Dover Athletic winning football matches – and to do that you need good players and a good team. We’re starting to build that now.

“Pre-season is going well and there’s still a lot of hard work to come before the season kicks-off. But I’m very happy with the team we’ve got now.”

Danny is Whites’ fourth summer signing, following Tommy Tyne, Lee Spiller and Tony Browne back to Crabble.

The midfield ace is delighted to be back. He said: “This is a good club and I’m so happy that I’ll get a chance to help get it back to where it should be.

“We can win this division and that’s what we’re all aiming for. Also, it’s great to be back with Clive. I’ve got a lot of time for him and the chairman, Jim Parmenter.”

DOVER ATHLETIC tonight are delighted to announce that Criccieth Homes Ltd are the club’s new first-team sponsor.

The Dover-based building company – who developed the old flour mill into flats and other quality building works in the area – have signed a one-year deal with Whites, with an option to extend that to two or three years.

Criccieth Homes managing director John Mahon has been a supporter of the club for a number of years and has a keen interest in helping Dover Athletic develop a youth academy.

Chairman Jim Parmenter said: “We’re delighted to have new sponsors and thank Criccieth for their support. We’re confident that this will be a very successful partnership.”

Tonight Clive Walker’s team played for the first time in the new kit with the sponsor’s name across the front.

The home kit, although smarter, remains a traditional white shirt with black shorts – but the away kit has been changed completely.

Dover will now take to the field for away games in red and blue striped shirts.

Director Roger Knight said: “The club has gone through a lot of changes with a new board of directors, sponsors and Clive coming back – as well as we hope a change in fortunes on the pitch. We’ve decided that a change of away shirt would be good too – it reflects that we’re starting afresh and looking to change things at the club for the better.

“I’m delighted that John and his company have agreed to be main sponsor. It is great news both for the club and the supporters, a successful Dover-based business as main sponsors.

“We’ll be working on developing a youth acadamy with John as he is very keen to put something back into the community.”

Tonight the club officially switched on the new state-of-the-art floodlights, which are among the best in non-league football.

Fortunes for the club are certainly looking much brighter.

DOVER ATHLETIC tonight are delighted to announce that Criccieth Homes Ltd are the club’s new first-team sponsor.

The Dover-based building company – who developed the old flour mill into flats and other quality building works in the area – have signed a one-year deal with Whites, with an option to extend that to two or three years.

Criccieth Homes managing director John Mahon has been a supporter of the club for a number of years and has a keen interest in helping Dover Athletic develop a youth academy.

Chairman Jim Parmenter said: “We’re delighted to have new sponsors and thank Criccieth for their support. We’re confident that this will be a very successful partnership.”

Tonight Clive Walker’s team played for the first time in the new kit with the sponsor’s name across the front.

The home kit, although smarter, remains a traditional white shirt with black shorts – but the away kit has been changed completely.

Dover will now take to the field for away games in red and blue striped shirts.

Director Roger Knight said: “The club has gone through a lot of changes with a new board of directors, sponsors and Clive coming back – as well as we hope a change in fortunes on the pitch. We’ve decided that a change of away shirt would be good too – it reflects that we’re starting afresh and looking to change things at the club for the better.

“I’m delighted that John and his company have agreed to be main sponsor. It is great news both for the club and the supporters, a successful Dover-based business as main sponsors.

“We’ll be working on developing a youth acadamy with John as he is very keen to put something back into the community.”

Tonight the club officially switched on the new state-of-the-art floodlights, which are among the best in non-league football.

Fortunes for the club are certainly looking much brighter.

TONY BROWNE reported back to training with the rest of the first-team squad – then admitted: “It’s like I’ve never been away.”

The popular defender, back after a one-year spell with Conference South club Welling, opted to drop two divisions with other former players Lee Spiller and Tommy Tyne to help shoot Whites to two promotions.

Tony insists he never wanted to leave in the first place and is delighted to have returned to a club he cannot believe have fallen into the fourth tier of non-league football.

He said: “It’s a bit of a shock that Dover Athletic have suffered two relegations in as many seasons. I certainly couldn’t believe the club had dropped out of the Ryman Premier but that’s all done now – and we’re back here to put things right.

“I reported back to training on Thursday and it was like I’d never been away. I know most of the lads and it was great to see them all again – and also we met some of the new lads such as Daniel Braithwaite, who seems a nice bloke.

“One thing that struck me at training was the great atmosphere and belief that we’re going to win the Ryman League Division One title this season. We certainly should aim for that because the squad has enough depth to it to get out of that division.

“In all honesty, we’ve a strong enough squad to be challenging for promotion from the Ryman Premier. Of course, we’ve got to earn the right for promotion but the team is going to focus hard this season. Clive Walker certainly will make sure everyone works hard to achieve that target.”

Assistant-boss Steve Nolan is taking training while Clive is away in the States. He returns in two weeks. But Tony says that Clive’s No 2 is more than good enough to prepare the team.

He said: “Steve is very educated in the new methods of training. He got us doing short, sharp stuff. That didn’t kill us too much.

“Then, on Saturday, it was stepped up a bit – and it was much harder. But, although we’re grafting, we don’t feel like it – such is the way Steve is running the sessions.

“Earlier, you wouldn’t see a ball for a few weeks. That has all changed now. Lee Spiller’s brother Danny said it’s the same at Gillingham, where he plays. It’s all short, sharp stuff.

“The coaches progress it from there. It’s to stop people getting injured early on. We did do some long running but not five miles. It’s called progressive running – a lot more sensible. It was tiring but just enough.

“Luckily, I normally keep myself fairly fit during the summer. I made the mistake of taking it too easy in the close-season when I was young, coming back not 100 per cent.”

Tony cannot wait to see Clive return from the States. The manager is held in high esteem by the defender – and was the main reason why he decided to drop two divisions.

He said: “Initially I was worried about dropping down. But I spoke to Clive and chairman Jim Parmenter. They had big plans and Dover are a big club. Jim is an experienced chairman and knows a lot about football and is getting everything off-the-field sorted – so all my initial fears went out of the window.

“A double promotion is our bid and if we do that the team will be so confident once back in Conference South – not to mention very settled. Playing lots of games together is the best way to move forward.

“Once Clive is back, then I guess things will be stepped up a bit. We’ll go through patterns of play and shadows of play – he’s always been good at that.

“I’ve been close to Clive since I was 20. He’s such an experienced man. He’s played something like 400 League games and he’s modest about it. He doesn’t shout from the rooftops. He also won the old Division Four with Northampton as a manager and his record is very impressive.

“Although we all get on with Clive, you can’t cross the line with him. You totally respect him. He lays down the law if need be and praises you too. He’s honest – very old school.

“I think old school is the best way – although it needs to be mixed with the new stuff. But Clive is well clued up on modern methods. He’s always been a great psychologist. He gets inside your head. He knows some players need praising, others need a rollicking. He’s a natural at that.”

Tony has always got on well with the Whites faithful. Why has he always been a popular figure? He explains: “I just talk to the fans. I appreciate that they’ve given up their Saturday to come and watch us. They’re paying our wages and it’s them who get us going when we’re struggling.”

Tony this week is expecting the result of his Sports Science degree final and he is hoping to graduate with a 2:2.

He admitted: “I found the last year hard. I gave up school when I was 16 to play football so it was difficult to get back into education again. But I’ll be really pleased with a 2:2. It’s about what I deserve.”