Keister: Let's look forward, not back

John Keister is looking forward to a new dawn at Dover Athletic following the appointment of Andy Hessenthaler as manager, writes Justin Allen.

The Whites utility-man believes Hessenthaler is the man to bring good times back to Dover and immediately told the new boss he wants to be part of his first-team plans this season.

Keister said he had gone through personal hell at times last season and wants to erase it from his memory.

A section of fans criticised Keister for his three red cards and questioned his commitment to the cause - comments which hurt the former Walsall and Margate hero.

He told www.doverathletic.com : "Some of the comments were very hurtful. I've never, ever not played with any commitment. Anyone who knows me, will tell you that is not what I'm all about.

"Sure, like everybody in football, I can suffer sometimes from a loss of form - but never, ever do I play with no commitment. I want to win matches and be successful; it's the way I've always played games.

"And that's what I like about Andy. I've played against him a few times down the years and he's a winner. He's exactly what this club needs. He will do it professionally and I had no hesitation in telling him I want to stay next season and be part of his plans."

Keister believes he was unlucky to be sent-off three times. His red card in the low-key Westview Cup tie at Ramsgate, he admits, was stupid - but he said: "I held my hands up straight away that night. I was a very silly boy and let everyone down by earning a suspension for that incident.

"I apologised straight away. I was wrong - but the other two red cards were questionable. The one at the end of the season, which saw me miss the last game and play-off, was a booking. I went for the ball and the referee has given the card for the way the lad fell down, rather than for the actual tackle.

"I felt a bit hard done by for that, I must admit. But then I read and heard comments from some fans, saying that I wasn't committed and didn't care. That was very hurtful - no-one has ever accused me of that. We’re all human beings and have feelings.

“Some even said I was only here for the money. That is complete nonsense. If it was about money, I could’ve gone to other clubs nearer my home. I travel down three times a week from London and that takes a lot of commitment.

"This is an excellent football club but some people have to realise the level we're at. We have no divine right to win matches and, yes, Dover are a club that should be playing in a far higher league. We have to earn that right and you're not going to win every game.

"Christ, we got slated for drawing matches, let alone losing – and it definitely affected some of our younger players. But I want to draw a line under last season and my simple message to the fans is this: all the lads who play, want to win – they don't perform poorly through lack of commitment. There will be tough times – but fans need to keep the faith during those periods.

"I know the fans have suffered a lot with those three relegations in four seasons. That would leave anyone upset. But that's history now - and we're a Ryman One club trying our best to get out of this division.

"With Andy in charge, we have a real winner - someone who I am looking forward to playing under. He's a top bloke and will be very good for our younger players. He’s a real role model for people to look up to. He immediately will command respect - and he deserves that.

"I can't wait for the new season to start - and I hope we can just all forget last season. Obviously, we need to learn from it - but let's turn last season's negative into a positive."