‘I couldn’t be prouder’

Manager Jake Leberl thinks Dover’s season should be regarded as a success - regardless of what happens in their play-off matches. Whites sealed a top-five Isthmian Premier finish through a 3-1 win at Chichester last weekend. With the match effectively a straight shootout for fifth and the last play-off position, Dover came from behind through goals from top scorer George Nikaj and forward Ruben Soares-Junior before Luke Baptiste converted a stoppage-time penalty.

“It was important we got into the play-offs,” said Leberl, whose side were due to visit Billericay in their play-off semi-final tomorrow (kick-off 7.45pm). “After the start we made to the season, to not finish in the play-offs, that would have been a failure in a lot of peoples’ eyes.



I’m not sure where I would have stood on that, but I would have understood it. “Horsham are champions. It’s unbelievable, really, that it went to the last day of the season and they have won it by just one goal! “If you look at the budgets in our division, four or five teams would have been expecting to get into the play-offs and maybe even win it.

Even Billericay have been trying to get into the play-offs for a few seasons. “It makes you realise what we have done and I couldn’t be prouder.” Whites, held to a 1-1 draw by relegated Hastings in their last home game this term, were aware of the task they faced against a Chichester team that had won eight of their past 10 fixtures before their visit.

On his team’s display, Leberl reflected: “It was really good. “I was a bit concerned, going into it. Obviously, we have done a lot of homework on them and we knew they had been on such a good run.

One loss of concentration and they can punish you so we were really pleased. “The whole day pretty much went to plan, apart from them scoring from a second phase of a set-piece.” A crowd of 1,356, boosted by a large travelling contingent, produced a superb atmosphere at Chichester.

That came after a small number of supporters caused issues off the pitch in the last away match, a 3-1 derby defeat at Dartford on Good Friday. Leberl said: “The fans were brilliant on Saturday. I don’t think there was any trouble and there was a good atmosphere.

That’s what you want to see. “I know it’s only a few that have been negative this season, but it does affect things. I know it’s stopped people travelling.

“I know how important the fans can be if you want to be successful from my time at Dagenham. “The incident at Dartford might have actually helped galvanise us. “Of course, people are allowed to be negative - but I just don’t think it’s been justified.

“There’s only been one performance, Cray Valley away, which I’ve been really unhappy with. “Apart from that, all the players can do is their best and I feel they have done that every single week.” The Chichester game also saw club captain and experienced goalkeeper Mitch Walker make his injury comeback, having been sidelined since November.

“It was great to have Mitch back,” Leberl said. “He’s such a calming influence and he’s a great goalie. “Let’s be honest, all the pressure is on Billericay.

Hopefully, our boys can manage the occasion because we have full faith in them regarding the football side of it. “But no matter what happens, I think it’s been a really good season.” Leberl also commented on the news Frank Clarke is to step down as Dover’s secretary after more than two decades of dedicated service this summer.

Clarke, who celebrated his 85th birthday this year, will now be taking on a new role as honorary club president while Simon Brooker is due to take over his secretarial position. “It’s going to be a huge loss,” said Whites’ boss. “The amount of contacts Frank has and the amount of knowledge Frank has, he has been there, seen it and done it.

“It’s a big position to fill. “It’s not easy and you can see that with the amount of clubs who drop points throughout the season because of administrative errors. “Hopefully, Frank is still around because, if we’re going to progress, we’re going to need to do things better off the pitch, as well as on it.

” Athletic will be away to Dartford or Cray Valley on Monday if they see off Billericay in their play-off semi-final..