Dover Athletic manager Martin Hayes sees former Ebbsfleet and Tonbridge defender Phil Starkey as a like-for-like replacement for Matt Fish.

Starkey, 23, based in north Kent, was a regular member of Braintree’s Blue Square Bet South championship-winning side last season but has chosen to remain at the same level, signing a one-year deal with the Whites.

Hayes said: "Phil is a good size, mobile and likes to get forward, and has given up a season in the Conference Premier to come to us.

"He is good quality and a solid performer. We have lost a good defender (Fish) but replaced him with an equally good one."

"I had expected Matt and Rob Gillman to stay and wasn’t looking at other keepers or defenders.

"Phil then became available, was keen to come and so we made the decision to sign him.

"I had a conversation with Rob but with Ollie Schulz re-signed and with Shane Huke now at the club, he has been the victim of leaving it too long to sign."

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