We can still make the play-off's, insists Hessenthaler

Friday 12th March 2010

DOVER ATHLETIC boss Andy Hessenthaler says he may live to regret letting Lee Browning leave Crabble, writes Justin Allen.

The former Sittingbourne winger was released this week by mutual consent after Hessenthaler decided the club would not be offering him a new deal next season.

Browning - who has recently been plagued by injuries - has only played a handful of games this season.

And it was a wrench for the Whites player-boss to release a player who has been a key part of our back-to-back title successes.

Hessenthaler, who was speaking to www.doverathletic.com said, “Letting Lee go was a tough, tough call. He has been outstanding for Dover Athletic. In fact, I'd go as far as saying he could hit levels that no-one else could during the past two seasons.

"He is a very intelligent player and has been absolutely awesome for us. He has been one of the best players in our back-to-back promotions no doubt about that.

"I may regret the decision to let him go. We just felt with the number of games he had played this season, and the need for him to have an operation, that we could not offer him a new deal - so agreed a pay-off which enables him to have an operation.

"Football is about opinions. He may prove that I was wrong to let him go.

"However the door is not shut on Lee. I am certainly going to invite him back for pre-season training.

"If Lee has played his last game for Dover, I can tell whoever he signs for that they are getting a top, top player."

Sam Gore was also recently released - and Hessenthaler added: "No-one can fault their commitment and desire. Sam had been unlucky with injuries, it's just the reality of football and finances I'm afraid."

Hessenthaler admits he was gutted with the second-half performance against Worcester on Tuesday.

But he said: "There's no point beating ourselves up about it. We can still make the play-offs, This is a tough time for us, the first situation where we've hit a sticky spell, but I firmly believe we are still building something here at Dover Athletic.

"We have lots of points still to play for - and anything can still happen.

"This is a five-year plan at Dover to get back into the Conference. We're halfway through that timescale and are ahead of schedule."

Meanwhile, plans are being discussed to stage a Meet the Manager evening at the Centre Spot. The date and time will be advertised soon.

Article courtesy of www.doverathletic.com

Basingstoke Town v Dover Athletic

Blue Square South

Saturday 13th March 2010

Kick Off 3:00pm

At The Camrose Ground, Western Way, Basingstoke, Hampshire RG22 6EZ