Andy Hessenthaler has underlined his commitment to Dover Athletic by signing a two-year extension to his contract.

Fresh from leading Whites to the Ryman 1 South title, Hess and assistant manager Darren Hare have both agreed new deals, which will keep them at the SeaFrance Crabble Stadium until 2011.

Hess said: "It wasn’t that hard a decision. Darren and myself have really enjoyed it here this season and we want to be part of taking this club forward."

Chairman Jim Parmenter said: "I’m delighted Andy and Darren have signed new deals. This shows not only their commitment to this club but also our ambition to progress up the leagues.

"We mean business and are looking to challenge for honours again next season. We want to get back into the Conference."

Hess, however, admitted that one of the more difficult aspects of being a manager is telling players at the end of the season that they are being released, and he had to perform that task with five of Whites’ championship-winning squad last week.

Goalkeeper Dean Ruddy, defender Matt Bourne, midfielder Jack Tanner, winger Byron Walker and the versatile Craig Wilkins have been released, although Wilkins, who has again struggled with injury problems this season, has been offered the chance to prove his fitness in pre-season training.

Six players have signed new one-year deals, Jon Wallis, Matt Fish, Sam Gore, James Rogers, Laurence Ball and John Keister.

Wallis’s decision to commit himself to Crabble for at least another season will come as particularly good news for Whites fans, for the talented young midfielder has made no secret of his desire to return to a Football League club at some stage.

But Wallis, who lives in Maidstone, said: "To be honest, it was harder deciding to sign a new contract at the start of last season than it was this time.

"I have enjoyed being part of the squad that won the title and I want to help us keep it going next season."

Three other players, Frannie Collin, Alan Pouton and Jimmy Dryden have yet to make up their minds about signing new deals.