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Dover Athletic boss Chris Kinnear says the signing of Jamie Grimes from Kidderminster Harriers proves players now want to come to Crabble

Dover boss Chris Kinnear says he's delighted to have signed defender Jamie Grimes.

Grimes put pen-to-paper for Kinnear's side on Monday after leaving fellow Vanarama Conference side Kidderminster Harriers.

He made 39 league appearances for the Harriers last season, including both games against Whites and was voted Away Fans’ Player of the Season and Junior Supporters’ Player of the Season.

The former Swansea City academy player was Kinnear's first signing of the close season and the boss said it was great way to start.

Kinnear said: “Jamie fits the bill perfectly in what I look for as both a player and as an individual.

“He’s big, strong, versatile (he can play either at the heart of defence or in midfield), he’s got the experience of playing at this level and he’s a nice lad. It’s great getting him here.

“We can now attract players of Jamie’s calibre given how we performed this season. Players want to come here.”

Dover boss Chris Kinnear
Dover boss Chris Kinnear

And Grimes looks set to be the first of Kinnear’s forays into the transfer market .

He said: “I will keep plugging away trying to strengthen the squad. You can’t afford to rest on your laurels in this game.”

The boss also said he’s waiting to hear back from six of his squad after they were all offered new contracts.

Captain Connor Essam, goalkeeper Mitch Walker, midfielders Liam Bellamy and Nicky Deverdics, defender Sean Francis and striker James Poole are yet to make a decision about their futures.

But Kinnear is not going to press them into making that decision.

He said: “They need a break after what has been a long hard season.

“They don’t want to hear my voice or see a text from me.

“They have their contracts and it’s up to them whether they still want to play for Dover.”

Goalkeeper Andy Rafferty, defenders Richard Orlu, Sean Raggett, Tyrone Sterling, Tom Winter and Richard Orlu, midfielder Ricky Modeste and forwards Stefan Payne and Tom Murphy are already under contract.

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