Defender Jamie Grimes signed for Dover because he is confident good times are ahead for boss Chris Kinnear’s side.

Grimes, 24, put pen to paper last week after leaving fellow Vanarama Conference team Kidderminster Harriers, where he made 39 league appearances last season, including both games against Whites.

Nottingham-born Grimes, a Forest fan, said he was looking forward to calling Crabble home.

He said: “I spoke to a few clubs after making the decision to leave Aggborough (Kidderminster’s home ground) but I felt Dover are a club on the move after their impressive first season back in the league.

“I like the direction they’re heading in and I’d like to think that we will be challenging for the play-offs next season. I wanted to be a part of that challenge.

“It’s exciting times for the club and I’m delighted to be here.”

While Grimes was an apprentice at Premier League Swansea City, the 6ft 4in centre-back worked with managers of the calibre of Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rodgers.

In fact it was Martinez, now the Everton boss, who handed Grimes his first professional contract before he was released by the Welsh club in 2011.

Read the full story in this week's Mercury