Dover boss Andy Hessenthaler understands that Whites fans will be shocked by his decision to release Frannie Collin.

The 23-year-old striker (pictured) scored just 12 goals in an injury-hit season, half as many as he netted in 2008/09, while he also scored 21 goals after signing in 2007/08.

Keeper John Whitehouse, Danny Walder and Jake Leberl are also leaving, while the other squad members have been offered new deals to join contracted players Adam Birchall, Ross Flitney and Lee Hook.

Hessenthaler said: "Frannie will probably raise massive eyebrows but we had a good chat and I told him I think he needed a fresh start somewhere, some new impetus.

"He took it well, like I knew he would. He is a fantastic player but sometimes you need to freshen things up.

"He goes with our best wishes. It might be the wrong decision but as a manager you live by the sword and die by the sword.

"Let’s hope he doesn’t come back here with another team next season and score but if he does, we’ll live with it. That’s football."

Hessenthaler said he was seeking at least six new players but that number could increase should any of his current squad reject their terms.

He said he hoped most of his squad would have signed by the end of this week but that deadlines would swiftly be imposed if they hadn’t put pen to paper.