HOW DID YOU FEEL THE 14/15 SEASON WENT FOR YOUR TEAM?
Simply amazing. After promotion from the Conference South in 2013/14 via the play-offs, we were tipped for relegation at the start of the season. Being 23rd in the Conference around midway through September were proving the odds to be right so far, but then what happened after that was quite extraordinary. We enjoyed an incredible 16-match unbeaten run in all competitions (bar the Kent Senior Cup) which saw us propel up the table and shock a number of teams along the way. We reached the third round of the FA Cup for only the second time in our history, and our reward for beating Cheltenham Town in the second round was Premiership opposition in the form of Crystal Palace at home. We also reached the quarter-final of the FA Trophy, although our run was ended in disappointed fashion when we were deservedly knocked out by Conference South side Bath City. But that wouldn't ruin our season as we finished a fantastic 8th place, when even many of the optimists were hoping for survival in the Conference at best.
HAVE YOU BEEN IMPRESSED WITH THE ADDITIONS MADE DURING THE SUMMER BREAK?
Ricky Miller and Sam Magri are excellent acquisitions for the club, while fellow new signings Duane Ofori-Acheampong and Naby Diallo can be seen as useful additions to the squad. Miller is a striker formerly of Luton Town, who enjoyed a loan stint with us from the Hatters last season. After scoring 5 goals in 10 appearances, everyone was disappointed to see Miller recalled by his parent club, although that was expected. When the news was announced he signed a two-year contract with the club in the summer, everyone was ecstatic. And he has looked extremely impressive in pre-season, scoring four goals. Miller reminds many Dover fans of Adam Birchall, a former Dover striker who is regarded by many as the club's greatest ever player after scoring an incredible 45 goals in the 2010/11 season. Magri is a right back whose solid performances in pre-season as a trialist saw him rewarded a contract. After the departure of centre back Connor Essam - who played most of his Dover career at right back - to Leyton Orient, someone of Magri's ability is very much needed across the backline.
ARE THERE ANY AREAS YOU FEEL STILL NEED STRENGTHENING?
I could name Saturday's starting line-up which would both be expected, and one I would be comfortable with as we have an excellent starting XI. I think we could do with one more defender and one more midfielder to bolster our options though.
ARE THERE ANY FIXTURES THAT YOU'RE PARTICULARLY LOOKING FORWARD TO?
Tranmere Rovers away, as are many other Dover fans. I enjoy going to new grounds too, so Tranmere, Barrow, Guiseley, Forest Green Rovers and Altrincham will be ones I'm looking to tick off the list this season!
WHICH OPPOSITION TEAM DO YOU HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR THIS SEASON?
Grimsby Town. Other than champions Barnet, they were probably the best side I saw us play last season, and they were unlucky to lose to Bristol Rovers in the play-off final, so they will be up and raring to go this season. I believe their Supporters Club or some other form have raised over £100,000 to contribute towards the club, when the target was only around £20-30k, and that should prove to be a massive help to the club in their aim for promotion. Tranmere should also do well but as it's been proved so many times in the Conference, it's difficult to bounce straight back from relegation to the Conference. Bristol Rovers' promotion meant that was achieved by a club for the first time in ten years.
WHICH PLAYERS AMONG YOUR SQUAD SHOULD WE BE LOOKING OUT FOR THIS TERM?
Miller. I wouldn't be surprised to see at least 20 goals - subject to an upcoming court case - as he's a genuine talent. Tom Murphy is another player to watch out for, who is surprisingly our most improved player in recent seasons. Expect to see a couple of crackers from him this season!
WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'LL END UP AT THE END OF THE SEASON?
It's hard to say. The club are targeting promotion to the Football League, which we've never been part of in our history, but there are a lot of big clubs with aspirations to get back into the Football League, and clubs like Eastleigh, who have been splashing the cash, have something to say about that too. I think we're too good of a side to go down, so I would say a comfortable mid-table finish would be a safe bet. But who knows how this season will unfold.
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