New Dover defender Charlie Naylor reckons playing football at a college in the United States has dramatically improved his game.

Centre-back Naylor was one of a number of debutants for Whites in their promising opening-day National League South 2-2 draw against Torquay last weekend.

He’s now back in the UK, though, after he earned a Sports Business degree from West Virginia Wesleyan College while he played under an English coach who has played senior football for Spalding United after youth stints with Derby County and Boston United.

“The facilities are really good,” Naylor said.

“I was at West Virginia Wesleyan. I had a good coach - Josh Spencer - an English guy from Nottingham. It was a good experience.

“It was like a professional club, really.”

He headed to the States aged 18.

Report: Dover 2-2 Torquay

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Naylor explained: “I knew the game but I wasn’t physical enough and I wasn’t vocal enough.

“I just thought ‘Let me go over there, get good coaching every day, get sharp, do my extras and, hopefully, come back over here and play.’

“Anyone who’d seen me before will tell you that I’ve improved tenfold.

“I just want to kick on now and keep improving.”

Whites were 2-0 behind inside 20 minutes against full-time outfit Torquay in front of a 798-strong crowd. One of their debutants, Chevron McLean, scored an own goal before skipper Asa Hall doubled the Gulls lead.

But Dover rapidly improved and frontman Zidan Sutherland cut the deficit in the first half before midfielder Roman Charles-Cook made it 2-2.

Naylor reflected: “It was a very poor start from us.

“The gaffer [Mitch Brundle] spoke about it in the dressing room, switching on and that kind of stuff, but, obviously, we didn’t start very well.

“But as you’ve seen in pre-season, once we go behind, we keep our heads up, we keep working and we got a great couple of goals.

“Then obviously, we pushed on from there. We could have won the game but we’re very happy with the first point.”

The match was largely played in miserable conditions at Crabble - not that’s something Naylor minds.

He noted: “I’d classify myself as an old-school defender - with a little bit of new in there, as well.

“I don’t mind getting on the ball but I love tackling, I love heading and love keeping clean sheets.

“So I’ll put my body on the line for the club.”

It was a dreadful start for one particular Dover debutant, former Cray Wanderers and Cheshunt full-back McLean, who found his own net inside the opening four minutes.

Naylor said: “I think the boys had to get around him and just say ‘Get that out of your mind.’

“It was early in the game and, obviously, Chev played really well after that.

“He’s done his job, really.

“Obviously, he’s disappointed about the goal but he’s done his job from there, so congratulations to him.”

Many have tipped Whites to finish bottom this term.

They’ll face Slough Town away this Saturday, another side who are expected to be battling to avoid the drop.

But of those pre-season expectations, Naylor insisted: “We don’t care about that!

“People are always going to have opinions in football regardless.

“They’ve written us off but we’ve faced the so-called favourites for the league and got a draw - and could have won, really!

“All I’d say to the fans is: Don’t write us off.

“We’ll be there or thereabouts.”

He was partnered by ex-Cheshunt player Michael Olarewaju in the heart of defence against Torquay.

“Mike’s, obviously, a good player,” the 22-year-old said.

“He’s older than me so he’s a little bit more experienced.

“He’s a big boy but he can run with it and head it so it’s nice to have a bit of experience next to me.

“I back him 100 per cent.”