Dover Athletic unveil signing of highly-rated Moore

DOVER ATHLETIC have pulled off a transfer coup by completing the signing of highly-rated midfielder Sammy Moore, 20, - beating competition from a host of Football League and Blue Square Premier clubs, writes Justin Allen.

Sammy - who lives in Deal and is brother of former Dover player Jason - made 24 appearances at League Two club Brentford last season, while on loan from Championship side Ipswich Town.

The midfielder, aged just 20, tipped by many to be a "new Andy Hessenthaler", is a real "wears his heart on the sleeve" kind of player. He is a box-to-box ball-playing midfielder, who has a fierce shot to boot. He came on as a sub in the Championship for Ipswich against Sunderland just 13 months ago and came through the youth ranks at Chelsea.

When Ipswich released him in January, Sammy signed a short-term contract with Stevenage Borough and played 12 matches for them in the Blue Square Premier. So, in total, he made 36 appearances as a pro last season for Brentford and Stevenage.

Dennis Wise, while he was manager at Leeds United, was interested in taking the youngster to Elland Road but his departure to Newcastle United put paid to that.

Hessenthaler told www.doverathletic.com: "I've heard a lot of good things about the kid and seen him a few times on the TV. He is a decent player, someone who is a little bit like myself in that he is box-to-box, and I'm looking forward to working with him.

"Steve Butler coached him at Stevenage and told me he is too good for this level, but we've managed to persuade him to sign - so we're delighted about that."

Sammy said: "Andy Hessenthaler and the chairman, Jim Parmenter, really sold me the club - and I was so impressed with the set up.

"I could see this was a club that wants to go forward and, for me, that was what clinched it.

Obviously, I know all about Dover Athletic - as I used to stand on the terraces when I was little, watching my brother Jason.

"They're a big club at this level and want to get into the Football League. That's where I want to be going and wish to be part of what they're trying to achieve down here."

Henry Moore, Sammy's proud father, said: "Andy told us he saw a lot of himself in Sammy and that is a massive compliment.

"If Sammy has just a quarter of the career that Andy Hessenthaler has had, Sammy will be very happy."

Moore has promised to wear his heart on his sleeve every time he pulls on a Dover shirt.

Sammy is a box-to-box midfielder, who has even been compared to our very own Hessenthaler, and became a favourite with Brentford supporters while he was on loan at the League Two club last season from Ipswich Town for his never-say-die attitude.

And now the Deal-based player hopes to be as popular on the Crabble terraces after penning a two-year deal.

He said: “One thing I can tell the Dover supporters is that I’ll give 110 per cent when I’m out there on the field. I like to think I always give everything I’ve got while playing and training - and wear my heart on my sleeve. I plan to do that here and help get this club another promotion.

“I’m very excited about joining Dover. Andy Hessenthaler really did sell the club to me. He and the chairman Jim Parmenter really impressed me. My mind was made up after I met them – I was left in no doubt this is an ambitious club that has big plans for the future.

“They want to get up the divisions and they don’t just want to stop at the Conference – they want to get into the Football League. As a player, that’s where I want to be and it would be amazing if I could be part of that.

“Of course, playing for your local club makes it a bit more special. I’ve always followed the fortunes of Dover since I was a little kid who used to run up and down the terraces when my big brother Jason was playing here.

“It’s a good club, with a lot of fans, and hopefully the crowds will get even bigger as it steps up to higher levels. The potential is there for Dover to do well.”

Sammy knows James Rogers, who used to take part in his dad Henry Moore’s soccer schools in Deal – as well as Craig Cloke. He was once coached by Whites assistant-boss Darren Hare when he was aged just six.

Sammy was schooled at the academies of first Charlton, then Chelsea, who paid the South London club £20,000 for the then 12-year-old, before joining Ipswich. Sammy won the FA Youth Cup with Ipswich in 2006 and clearly has an impressive grounding in the game.

As a West Ham fan, he likes to see the game played the right way – and that is one of the main reasons he is joining Dover.

He said: “Dover play attractive, passing football – and Andy has outlined his plans to me. He wants to play the game that way and has told me he sees me as a big part of what he is trying to achieve here.

“I’m thrilled that Dover have shown such a big interest and really made me feel wanted. I live locally, I know some of the fans, some of the players, the set up is impressive and we can definitely achieve the targets set by the gaffer.

“To be honest, I’m very excited and cannot wait for the new season to start.”

Sammy even gets among the goals now and again, scoring twice in League Two last season while chipping in with another in the Blue Square Premier.

He would like to improve his goalscoring ratio - as he regularly gets forward.

But Whites boss Hessenthaler admitted: "If he scored loads of goals, he'd be a Premier League player - so although we'd like to see Sammy get more goals, it's not the be-all and end-all.

"Had I scored more goals as a player, I'd have been plying my trade in the Premier League."

With Hessenthaler registering himself as a player next season, there is likely to be a scenario where Sammy will be lining up in midfield with a player 22 years his senior.

He said: "I have every respect for the gaffer. What he has achieved in the game as a professional footballer is remarkable and I'd love to follow in his footsteps.

"It will be a honour to be on the same team as him. I just can't wait for the new season to start."

And there is little doubt that fans will warm to this enthusiastic and likeable youngster. He is a self-confessed Dover fan - who has been chanting the fans' favourite tunes around the house.

"White Army! White Army!" could be heard coming out of the walls at the Moore residence in Deal this week, reported his dad, Henry.

"That's true," chuckled Sammy. "I've always had a soft spot for the club because it brings back memories of when I was little.

"I am just so excited about this season, and playing for Dover, and want pre-season to start tomorrow."

Articles courtesy of www.doverathletic.com