Hessenthaler: The good times are coming back to Dover

Andy Hessenthaler is talking to five "top-quality" players and hopes to start his recruitment drive next week, writes Justin Allen.

The new Dover Athletic boss hopes to have taken on an assistant-manager by Tuesday - and then expects to start signing players that are "going to be very good at this level".

Former Gillingham player-manager Hess officially started his job as full-time Dover boss yesterday but is already well and truly on the case as he plots a route to promotion this coming season.

He told www.doverathletic.com : "I've been doing a lot of home-work on current players we have at the club and players I'm looking to bring in.

"It's going to be a busy summer but I'm looking forward to building the squad and getting everyone's fitness levels up when everyone reports back to pre-season training in July.

"I met the players for the first time on Tuesday evening. It was a good, positive meeting. I told them what I'm all about, what they should expect from me - and what I'm going to expect from them.

"The lads were all keen and that's exactly what we want at this club.

"I've spoken to lots of people in the game about the players currently in the Dover squad. It's important to gather as much information as I can - and I'm sure they're all looking forward to showing me what they can do in pre-season."

Defender Tony Browne has reportedly become the fifth player to depart Crabble, opting to follow former boss Clive Walker, defender Nicky Humphrey and captain Lee Spiller to Ashford. Loyal servant Craig Wilkins had already joined Maidstone and Tommy Tyne opted to move to Tonbridge.

The new Whites chief is not too worried about the recent exodus of players - and said: "We move on and I'm thinking only of players who want to play for this football club. I'm only looking to the future and getting the good times back to Dover Athletic.

"Yes, we've lost five players - but that frees up room for other players who do want to play for us to come here. The PFA list of out-of-contract players gets bigger every year - and this summer there's going to be more than 600 names on it.

"We're going to scour everywhere and be doing everything we can to get the best available players to this club. We're going to be just fine and the fans don't need to be too concerned. I'm certainly not - I'm looking forward."

Hess has been given a budget for his playing squad for the season - and insists: "I'm going to be sticking to it. I'll be keeping a close eye on it at all times. It's up to me to get full value for the money we have available - and I'm confident we can do that."

Out-of-contract midfield star Jon Wallis went on record as saying that Hess's arrival at Crabble now makes Dover an option he was probably not going to consider for next season.

And Hess said: "Jon has promised me if he does not join a full-time club, he'll be playing for us. I'm going to be sitting down with him very soon. I've known the kid for years from when I was at Gillingham - and know his dad well.

"He's a player with a lot of potential, the fans here want him to stay as he impressed them last season and someone we'd love to have at this club.

"Of course, I want to see Jon playing in the Football League - but if he isn't I want him to develop here."

Hess will update fans via the official club website after the weekend. He said: "I can't go public with names yet but once something is concrete we'll let all the fans know."

Visit Dover Athletic’s website: www.doverathletic.com