Home   Dover   Sport   Article

Dover Athletic to start full-time training under new boss Andy Hessenthaler

Dover will go full-time under new manager Andy Hessenthaler.

They were training two nights a week under Chris Kinnear but all that is about to change.

Hessenthaler, who signed a three-year contract on Monday, says Whites must get fitter to compete in the National League.

Andy Hessenthaler is back as Dover manager Picture: Barry Goodwin
Andy Hessenthaler is back as Dover manager Picture: Barry Goodwin

He said: "Dover haven't got off to a great start this year but the chairman wants to go full-time.

"We're going to change that and the players are going to be training during the day.

"I want to implement that straight away. That's got to happen.

"There are players on full-time contracts so they're not training enough.

"They've only been training two nights a week on their full-time contracts so they've got to be training four days a week plus playing on a Saturday.

"I need to implement that pretty much straight away and the chairman's given me license to do that."

Dover train at K Sports in Cobdown and they're not the only Kent club based there.

Hessenthaler said: "Ebbsfleet are there as well so we may have to do ours at a different time but this is a full-time league.

"It's a professional league, a tough league, and the players need to be fitter.

"We need to be training four times a week to make sure we're right on a Saturday.

"I'll be having a good conversation with the players on Tuesday."

Hessenthaler has joined Dover from Eastleigh, who he managed for the final time on Saturday.

A compensation package between the clubs has been agreed with Spitfires chief executive Kenny Amor admitting: "Geography has won in this case."

Hessenthaler, who lives just outside Ashford, confirmed location was a key factor.

"It wasn't easy to leave Eastleigh," he said. "I took over halfway through last season from Richard Hill and we were able to bring in three or four new players in the summer. It took us a little while but we got going, four wins in a row and six games unbeaten.

"It's great to be back though. It's closer to home and the biggest issue for me was family.

"I've got a young granddaughter and a grandson on the way so it played a big part in my decision.

"I live in West Brabourne so it's not far from Dover and not far from the training ground either."

Close This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies.Learn More