Dover Athletic sign Chelsea ace on loan

DOVER ATHLETIC have completed the loan signing of Chelsea midfielder James Simmonds, writes Justin Allen and Matthew Clements.

Andy Hessenthaler has told www.doverathletic.com that the 20 year-old professional will go straight into the starting line-up for tomorrow’s Ryman South fixture against Molesey at SeaFrance Crabble.

Simmonds is a versatile player who has featured in both midfield and attack for Chelsea and made his first appearance for the reserves as a schoolboy.

Whites boss Andy Hessenthaler has utilised his connections at Chelsea, where his son is in the Academy, to bring Simmonds to the club.

Hessenthaler said: "James has had trials with Football League clubs and is keen to stay in the professional game next season, as Frannie Collin and Jon Wallis were last summer.

"He has been surprised by the standard of our ground, training and the players in our squad. I've been impressed with him too. He's comfortable on the ball, which will fit in with the style of football we like to play.

"James has had a fantastic grounding in the game too. After all, he's on the books of one of the best clubs in the world."

Simmonds made his last appearance for Chelsea reserves in January and was on loan at Cardiff last season. He has recently been on trial at QPR.

James' Chelseafc.com profile states: "He is a product of the Academy who is in his fourth year full-time, having turned pro in December 2005.

"James is a former England youth international but has opted to play for the Republic of Ireland Under 19s."

Whites' player-manager confirmed that Simmonds will start tomorrow against Molesey, a side which Dover found difficult to break down three weeks ago. The sending off of Lee Browning and Molesey midfielder Rob Wilkinson opened the game up and Jimmy Dryden took advantage, scoring a hat-trick in a 4-1 win.

Hessenthaler said: "James [Simmonds] will slot in against Molesey on Saturday in place of Alan Pouton, who is injured.

"Molesey will be a difficult game. There is a danger of an 'after the Lord Mayor's Show' happening. We need to be every bit as professional as we were at Tooting. They were difficult to break down away and no doubt they'll be the same tomorrow."

Earlier this week chairman Jim Parmenter praised the work of Andy Hessenthaler and Darren Hare this season, stating that he would like them to stay much longer than their current contracts until 2009.

Hessenthaler said: "I am flattered by the chairman's comments. I spoke to Jim yesterday and he knows how I work. I don't want any distractions until the job this season is done. Let's get those wins we need and then we will sit down with the chairman in the summer.

"Chances are we'll sign extensions. Darren and I see the job as a long-term project, we're really enjoying it. We want to attack Ryman Premier next season and keep on doing that."

Following the 1-0 victory at Tooting & Mitcham United last weekend, Dover Athletic need six wins from their remaining nine matches to be crowned Ryman League Division One South champions.

Article courtesy of www.doverathletic.com

Dover Athletic v Molesey
Ryman League Division One South
Saturday 8^th March 2008
Kick Off 3:00pm
At SeaFrance Crabble Stadium, Lewisham Road, River, Dover, Kent CT17 0JB