Our success is down to hard work - not money, says Hessenthaler

ANDY HESSENTHALER admits he only has one thing to complain about this season - some other club managers moaning about Dover Athletic's so-called superior budget, writes Justin Allen.

Hess, who worked wonders at Gillingham on a shoestring, is on the verge of guiding Whites to back-to-back promotions.

And, although he has enjoyed the backing of a very supportive and ambitious chairman in Jim Parmenter, the player-boss says money doesn't buy the commitment, good attitude and team ethic that have ultimately delivered results.
"There have been a few managers this season that always go on about our budget and how much we've spent - and I must admit it has got on my nerves," Hessenthaler told www.doverathletic.com.

"I've worked at clubs, such as Gillingham, where I didn't have much of a budget at all. I had to make do with what I had and never went on complaining about how other clubs had more money to spend than us.

"Money doesn't actually buy you success much in football. Sure, you have the massive clubs where it helps. But if you go through the leagues, there are a lot of situations where clubs with a lot of money don't actually get the results hoped for.

"Our success this season, and last, has nothing to do with money. The players here have been a breath of fresh air. Their attitude to training has been superb, the commitment has been first-class and there's not one lad in our team who has not enjoyed being a Dover Athletic player.

"I think training was a big eye-opener for some of the boys, especially those from Ramsgate, but they have all enjoyed that and been brilliant.

"Everyone has been motivated by the targets we've set and reached high standards, which we've maintained throughout most of the season.

"They deserve a lot of credit for the way they play as a team - and even the loan players we've had here, like David Wilkinson, Nicky Southall and now Preston Edwards, have been a big part of that. Usually loan players find it hard to fit in - but everyone who has been here has loved being at Dover."

The title could be wrapped up this weekend if Whites beat one of only four teams to have beaten them this season in Sutton at Crabble - and Staines fail to win a difficult match at Hastings.

And Hess says the strong bench at his disposal has played a big part in our second league title in two seasons.

He said: "Darren Hare, my assistant, always predicted that to be successful in the Ryman Premier, you needed a strong bench - and that is what we had this season.

"Players like Jerahl Hughes, Sam Jones, Sam Gore - those lads - they've come on in games to help us win. That has been key for us I think. It really has been a squad effort and you have to applaud those boys - because we would not have won this title without them."

Of course, Hess knows that the team are yet to get over the finishing line - but he is thinking more of smashing through the 100-point barrier and possibly collecting 109 points.

He said: "Our aim is to get above that 100. We were disappointed not to get there last season when we lost the last home game to Sittingbourne, the day we were handed the Ryman One championship trophy.

"But we really want to get there this time. Also we want to finish the season unbeaten at home, which would be staggering.

"So there is still so much to aim for but of course we want to get over that finishing line first - then hopefully enjoy the remaining games."

Article courtesy of www.doverathletic.com

BBC Radio Kent - 96.7fm and 104.2fm will be providing LIVE COMMENTARY on its website www.bbc.co.uk/kent

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will bring you the report and reaction, via Mike Green afterwards.

Dover Athletic v Sutton United
Ryman Premier League
Saturday 28^th March 2009
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Perrys Crabble, Lewisham Road, River, Dover, Kent CT17 0JB