Kentish Football 
DOVER CALL THE SHOTS: WE WON’T SELL ADAM BIRCHALL, INSISTS DOVER CHAIRMAN
Sunday 28th November 2010
DOVER ATHLETIC chairman Jim Parmenter says LEGENDARY star striker Adam Birchall is staying at Crabble - and that will disappoint television pundit Gareth Southgate, writes Stephen McCartney.
The 25-year-old former Arsenal and Barnet star, who lives in Maidstone, fired the Kent heroes into the Third Round of The FA Cup yesterday, with two goals to knock out League Two side Aldershot Town in front of 4,123 at a crammed Crabble.
Former England defender Southgate, speaking on ITV1’s FA Cup highlights programme last night said: “I think a lot of teams will be having a look at him.”
But the Dover chairman told www.kentishfootball.co.uk during yesterday’s press conference: “He’s just signed a two-year extension to his contract because he loves the club. He wants to stay here, he’s found his football again here, which is fantastic for him.
“We’re not a selling football club, we’re not one of those non-league clubs who need to sell every player that somebody offers something for because we’re financially secure.
“We’re in the business of moving the club forward and progressing. It doesn’t mean ultimately a player scores a couple of goals in the FA Cup he’s going to move on.
“Adam’s our player and we rate him highly. He likes it here, we like him and we don’t need to sell him so as far as I’m concerned I hope he stays at the club.”
Dover Athletic will be ball number 63 in today’s Third Round Draw and the club are opening the doors to the Centre Spot at 5 o’clock to see the draw unfold live on ITV1 an hour later.
“It’s a big, big event for the club, never been there before, a big event in history,” said Mr Parmenter.
“I think on this next round, I’d like to say we’d like an away game against a Premiership club because of the obvious benefits it would bring us.
“It’s just absolutely fantastic. I’m delighted for the players, delighted for Martin (Hayes), delighted for the town and supporters.”
Visit Dover Athletic’s website: www.doverathletic.com
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