By Alex Hoad

Dover chairman Jim Parmenter says he is encouraged by the jump in supporters buying season tickets for Whites' new campaign.

Around 300 season tickets have already been sold by the club at discounted rates, giving fans the chance to enjoy the club’s first season back at Conference South level.

After two successive promotions, Parmenter (pictured) said the number of season-ticket holders had increased by 20 per cent from last year, with more expected to buy-up regular priced tickets over the coming weeks.

He said: "We are pleased with the number. Hopefully, it is a good sign that crowds will go up, too. If crowds go up by
the same 20 per cent then we will be doing well."

He added: "Season tickets are important for the club’s cash flow. Obviously during the summer we are not bringing in any money so this money can be used to help pay the bills."

Whites boss Andy Hessenthaler has spent this week on an FA coaching course in Ireland but Parmenter said
the manager was still on the lookout for new players and that a top striker is the priority.

Parmenter said: "We have got 18 players signed on for next season and we are looking at one or two more.

"We may have a few trialists coming in pre-season.

"We won’t have more than 20 players for the start of the season."

The Whites chairman also revealed there had been no developments in the saga of the directorship at the club, saying there remained five directors at Crabble, despite reports that some had stepped down over personal issues.

Hessenthaler had been strongly linked with the vacant managerial position at former club Watford but the Vicarage Road board this week appointed
former Scotland international Malky Mackay to replace Brendan Rodgers as manager.