Kentish Football 
Dover Athletic slap six-figure transfer fee on 42-goal Adam Birchall
Sunday 10th April 2011
DOVER ATHLETIC chairman Jim Parmenter has told any interested buyers of Adam Birchall this summer that he will cost a significant six-figure fee, writes Justin Allen.
Gillingham boss Andy Hessenthaler, coach Nicky Southall and chairman Paul Scally were at a recent game at Havant & Waterlooville - fuelling speculation that their Medway neighbours are preparing a summer swoop on the 42-goal star striker.
The Chairman said the club had not spoken to Gillingham on the subject of Birchall but it is known that ex-Whites boss Hessy is a big admirer of the player he signed on a free transfer from Barnet at the start of last season.
And it is also known that Hessy is looking to bolster his ranks in the summer - regardless of whether they win promotion to League One.
Mr Parmenter told www.doverathletic.com: "Adam has two years left on his contract and if anyone wants to sign him they will have to meet our valuation. There's no way we are letting a player of his quality go on the cheap.
"We don't have to sell Adam, we're not a selling club, but of course would not want to stand in Adam's way of progressing his career much higher up the ladder if he so desired.
"And we know he would like to play at League One level or higher so if a club came in from him at that level of course we'd talk to them if Adam wanted us to (and only then).
"Adam has had a stunning season for us - and we hope he has another great year for us next season, hopefully in Blue Square Premier. But we also understand that there may be some big fish after him too."
Huddersfield boss Lee Clark said after his team's 2-0 third-round FA Cup win over Dover that Birchall is good enough for League One and that it would be a miracle if Whites kept their prized asset during the January transfer window.
Well, that "miracle" happened - and Birchall is preparing for Dover’s last four games of the season and potentially three play-off matches that could see the club return to the top flight of non-league football.
Mr Parmenter said: "We're talking a six-figure fee of around quarter of a million plus. He is worth every penny of that. We don't need the money so are not desperate to sell him, plus we want him to stay here and help us bring future success to Dover Athletic. The fans love him."
Article courtesy of Justin Allen - www.doverathletic.com
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