Everything here is ready for Blue Square football, says Dover chairman

Dover Athletic chairman Jim Parmenter anticipates another four-figure crowd for Saturday’s FA Carlsberg Trophy third - and last - qualifying round clash against Blue Square South basement boys Sutton United.

The Surrey side make the trip to the Sea France Crabble Stadium on Saturday with a record of one win and three draws from their 16 league games.

But Dover Athletic, two divisions below, are currently top of the Ryman League Division One South table with 12 wins and 2 draws from 15 games - 4 points clear of second placed Tooting & Mitcham United with one game in hand.

A win for Dover Athletic will be classed as a shock in some quarters, but this Dover Athletic side are more than capable of playing the likes of Sutton United in that league - or above.

That’s the main reason why Mr Parmenter brought Gillingham legend Andy Hessenthaler to the Kent club.

“I’m delighted with the progress this season,” the chairman said, when speaking to Justin Allen on the club’s website - www.doverathletic.com.

“The club has been transformed during the last three seasons by steady and sustainable progress in all areas.

“In my opinion, we now have absolutely the best management team it is possible to have brought to the club and, in turn, they have assembled a squad of talented, hard-working and committed players.

“Even the most reluctant observer had had to admit this year that the entertainment has been first class.

“I am sure that Dover is a football town and word is getting around that SeaFrance Crabble is the place to be.

“Personally, I will be delighted if we can maintain figures around the thousand mark for the rest of the season.

“If we do, then we can budget for even more improvement next season, hopefully in the (Ryman) Premier Division.”

And the club’s immaculate stadium is ready to stage higher league football.

“Sea France Crabble has a capacity of 6,500,” explained Mr Parmenter. “We have a B grading which would allow us into the Blue Square Premier. Everything here is ready.

“If we can continue to perform and entertain on the pitch, I am confident that crowds will grow with our success.

“The recently announced expansion of housing in Dover is also a good news story for the club.”

The chairman praised the Dover faithful for sticking by their club, during recent bad times.

He said: “You achieve things by steady and sensible progression. Dover fans have suffered many years of failures and disappointment, therefore sometimes didn’t understand what we had to do as a board to ensure the long-term prosperity of the club.

“We didn’t want another boom and bust scenario.

“Things are starting to come to fruition and even some of my favourite sparring partners in the main stand, who before took their pleasure from complaining at just about anything they could think of, can’t help but have a smile on their faces when they leave after games.

“However, there are always improvements to be made and the board and the management continue to seek those improvements.

“The job is long way from finished and I am sure it will ever be completed, at least I hope not!”

“The current squad is the best Dover Athletic have had since the heady days at the top of the pyramid, by far.

“However, no-one is even slightly complacent, the league is not won until the end of April.

“There are some good teams in this division and if we are to prevail we must say focussed and committed until the fat lady sings.”

A crowd of 1,215 watched Dover Athletic beat Tooting & Mitcham United 3-1 last Monday to leapfrog over the Surrey side into top spot.

And Mr Parmenter believes the club will attract more gates will that during the rest of the season, especially with the fair on show.

“Football clubs are in the entertainment business and people come to watch exiting and fluid football,” he said.

“In general, the better the results, the better the crowds.

Mr Parmenter is delighted that Hessenthaler is delivering the goods.

“If you ask people who know me, they will tell you that Andy has been at the top of my list for a long time,” he said.

“He is a man of his word and completely dedicated to achieving our joint aims.

“The professionalism at the club is probably better than many clubs a lot higher up the pyramid and even some in the Football League.

“Andy commands respect from players, officials and the public, but more importantly he is approachable, understands the game and can transmit this enthusiasm and knowledge to the players.

“Oh yes, and he can still play a bit too.

“When we were struggling to score a few weeks ago, who was it who popped up with a couple of goals just at the right time.

“Better stop now or he will be offered the England job”

Quotes courtesy of www.doverathletic.com

Dover Athletic v Sutton United
FA Carlsberg Trophy Third Qualifying Round
Saturday 24^th November 2007
Kick Off 3:00pm
At SeaFrance Crabble Stadium, Lewisham Road, River, Dover, Kent CT17 0JB