Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler ready to be tough in contract talks
Published: 10:08, 30 April 2009
Updated: 10:08, 30 April 2009
Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler will adopt a take-it-or-leave-it approach when he issues new contract proposals to players this week.
Hessenthaler (pictured right) plans to let the players know on Thursday who is required for next season’s Conference South campaign.
He said: "We want players at this club who want to be here and want the deals to be done pretty quick.
"We’re not going to be getting into any bargaining. If they want to stay then stay and if not, don’t.
"We will be looking to change personnel, we’re going to have to. We’ll have to release some players to bring others in and it’s not going to be easy."
Dover’s title-winning season ended in drama when a fracas before half-time in their final game at Tonbridge saw Hessenthaler and opposition manager Tommy Warrilow dismissed by referee Martin Lehane after Whites’ defender Olly Schulz was shown a red card.
That followed an earlier dismissal for the Tonbridge keeper, an injury to the original referee Stephen Child and a 30-minute stoppage while Lee Browning received treatment after being knocked out by a football – all in the first half.
Hessenthaler said: "The game was insignificant to me after what happened to Lee Browning and I believe that was the same for everyone. Because of what happened, the game wasn’t important to me but it boiled over a bit.
"Tommy and I are both passionate and I didn’t agree with Ollie Schulz’ sending-off. Now looking back at the video it was probably the right decision."
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Alex Hoad