Dover Athletic land goalkeeper Lee Worgan from rivals Maidstone United on a two-and-a-half-year player-coach deal

DOVER ATHLETIC have pulled off a transfer coup by signing goalkeeper Lee Worgan from their Vanarama National League rivals Maidstone United.

The 34-year-old has signed a two-and-a-half contract at Crabble as player-coach and will wear the number 31 shirt - after making 289 appearances for Maidstone United.

After five seasons at Tonbridge Angels, Worgan made his Stones debut in August 2013 and went on to play in every league, FA Cup and FA Trophy game since.

“First of all I would like to pay tribute to Lee Worgan, who departed the club today,” said Maidstone United manager Harry Wheeler in a statement published on www.maidstoneunited.co.uk.

“Lee and I had an excellent working relationship throughout our time together all the way to the end. It has been a pleasure to work with such a good professional and we will part ways with both having a lot of respect for one another.

“Lee has made no secret of his desire to move into coaching and with a baby on the way, the offer from Dover was one that he could not turn down: a long contract providing a lot of security and a key coaching role within their new management structure under Andy Hessenthaler.

“It is only right that Worgs is receiving all the plaudits today from those associated with Maidstone United. On behalf of myself and the rest of the coaching team, we wish Lee and his family all the best for the future.”

Wheeler has moved quickly to snap-up a replacement, former Boreham Wood stopper Grant Smith has come in on an initial deal until 31 December.

Wheeler said: “We have moved quickly to fill Lee’s shoes in the shape of Grant Smith from Lincoln City.

“Grant comes to us after keeping 18 clean sheets last season and being voted the league’s best goalkeeper as his Boreham Wood side reached the Play-Off Final.

“During the last campaign he also got the call up to England C, playing in the game against Slovakia back in November.

“Grant has played six times for Lincoln this season – and was on the winning side in five of those games – before an injury saw him lose his spot as first choice at Sincil Bank.

“He has a fantastic attitude, is a good age and will be an asset to Maidstone United moving forward; I look forward to seeing him make his debut tomorrow night at Ebbsfleet.”

Maidstone United travel to fellow strugglers Ebbsfleet United sitting one place and two points clear of the relegation zone with 14 points from 17 games, while The Fleet are seventeenth in the table with five more points.

Dover Athletic, who are at the foot of the table on 8 points, host fourth-from-bottom side Dagenham & Redbridge, who travel to Crabble with 12 points on the board.

Visit Maidstone United’s website: www.maidstoneunited.co.uk