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8 go as Dover 'build for the future'

DECISIONS: Mick Kemp
DECISIONS: Mick Kemp

SUPPORTERS of Dover Athletic now know which league the club will be playing in next season and also what the bulk of the playing squad for the new campaign will be.

But they are going to have wait another two weeks before learning who will be picking the team, and in what capacity.

The continuing financial problems are the chief reasons behind the board's decision to release eight of this season's squad.

The eight are assistant player-manager Mark Patterson, Danny Chapman, Jamie Day, Lee Spiller, Darren Davies, Simon Glover, Nicky Dent and Dave Wietecha.

Following Whites' failure to qualify for the new Conference South next season, the Football Association announced on Sunday that Dover will be one of 22 clubs who will form the new Isthmian League (formerly Ryman League) Premier Division next season under the national restructuring of non-league football.

Members of the Dover board have revealed which players they will be retaining for next season, and who will be released.

But chairman Mick Kemp and his fellow board members said they need more time to complete their re-organisation of the club's playing and financial structure, which will include the introduction of a post of chief executive on a part-time basis, and the appointment of a full-time Youth Development Officer.

Whites' 19th-place in the Dr Martens League Premier Division has led to widespread speculation over the future of manager Richard Langley, but Mr Kemp would not reveal what role Langley will play in the new regime, which looks as though it will not feature anyone with the title of manager.

In a statement the board said: "Following the end of a disappointing season, the board have agreed that now is the time to ensure that a solid foundation is laid for the future playing and financial structure of the club.

"To enable this to happen we will be appointing a part-time chief executive and full-time Youth Development Officer to ensure that the club forms a base from which the remaining structure of the club will be built.

"Qualified coaches will be employed to oversee the day to day fitness and tactical training of the first, reserve and Under-18 teams.

"We are not in the position at the moment to put names to all of these positions, but we will issue another statement in two weeks' time in which everything will be made clear, including the roles and responsibilities of each individual under the new structure."

The decision to restructure the club, Mr Kemp revealed, has been driven by the desire to become a Football Association Charter club, which would give Whites' more chance of obtaining grants for ground improvements.

And the new chief executive will be expected to increase the club's income from extra-mural events such as summer soccer schools.

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