Walker parts company with Dover Athletic

Clive Walker will not be having his contract renewed by Dover Athletic for next season - after club directors decided to opt for a new manager.

Chairman Jim Parmenter and his board of directors held a meeting on Thursday night to discuss the club's second failed bid for promotion and the options available to take Dover Athletic forward.

It was decided that the club need a fresh approach to help achieve their goals.

Mr Parmenter paid tribute to Clive, who has become a legend at Crabble during the past 10 years, telling www.doverathletic.com:   “Clive came back to the club 2½ years ago, shortly after we took over, when we were fighting against what seemed certain relegation and made a great effort to keep up.

"In the last two seasons, by a lot of people’s standards, we've had some success, two play-off appearances, a good FA Cup run and a couple of cup finals. However, we have failed in our stated objective of achieving promotion.

"Therefore, the board believe that it is time for a fresh approach and will be advertising for a new management team capable of taking the club forward.

"Personally I have a lot of respect for Clive and he is a good coach. Therefore, I do not rule out the possibility of him playing a different role at the club in the future."

Walker arrived at the club in 1997 as number two to Bill Williams and was part of arguably the club's most successful management team that achieved a sixth-place finish in the Conference and an FA Trophy semi-final in 1998.

Article courtesy of www.doverathletic.com