It's time to move on, says Dover director Knight

Saturday 19th June 2010

DOVER ATHLETIC director Roger Knight says it’s time to draw a line under the revolving managers door, which has clearly upset the club’s supporters, writes Stephen McCartney.

Andy Hessenthaler enjoyed three glorious seasons at Crabble, comfortably walking away with the Ryman League Division One South and Ryman Premier League titles and finishing second in Blue Square South last term.

But as soon as Gillingham parted company with manager Mark Stimson following relegation to League Two, Hessenthaler was always favourite to return to Priestfield Stadium.

But what happened since has certainly upset the faithful at Crabble.

Chairman Jim Parmenter handed the job to former Barnet manager Ian Hendon, who faced the media at a press conference at the end of May.

Hendon’s started by saying, “I haven’t come here just to take the first job that’s come along - I’ve come here and I’m determined to succeed.”

Eighteen days later he was gone - and joined Gillingham as Hessenthaler’s number two.

Hendon told BBC Radio Kent: “My intentions were to do the job, but I got a call from Gillingham.

“I’ve had it with players who say they’re going to sign and they go and sign for another club. Until that contract is signed you are not held.”

Hendon did not sign the one-year contract that he was offered by Dover Athletic chairman Jim Parmenter and treated a non-league football club with DISRESPECT that has blighted the professional game.

Hendon added: “What has happened at Dover has happened and that is in the past. I went about organising their pre-season and signed a couple of players.

“I went away on holiday, came back, and in between I heard from Gillingham.

“I made an appointment with the chairman of Dover to tell him face-to-face rather than phoning him. I feel I went about things the right way in that regard.

“I want to be full time on the training ground every day and I’m looking forward to it.”

Last Thursday, Dover Athletic appointed former Bishop’s Stortford and Wingate & Finchley manager, Martin Hayes as their new manager.

And Mr Knight, who posted his views on the Dover Athletic unofficial fans forum, hopes the dust will settle.

He said: “Over the last month or so we have seen some quite unprecedented highs and lows. These have affected the supporters and the club - but no more so than the board of directors and in particularly Jim (Parmenter).

“Personally I believe these things happen for the right reasons and we must move on.

“Andy was a great servant to the club in his reign, taking us from Ryman South to Conference South in two seasons and only just missing out on a third promotion. Let’s be grateful for that and leave it there.”

Mr Knight added: “We move on. I firmly believe in Martin Hayes as our manager, we have the right man for the job.

“Having had a number of conversations with him over the past week, I feel he is capable of taking Dover Athletic Football Club further.

“Of course time will tell, but I am very optimistic and looking forward to another great season.”

Visit Dover Athletic’s website: www.doverathletic.com & www.dovorian.co.uk