National League big boys have the money but Chris Kinnear’s competitive streak may prove priceless.

It’s more than 30 years since Kinnear first took charge at Dover and he’s gone on to become one of the most successful managers in non-league football.

Four years into his second spell at Crabble, the former Margate boss is up for the challenge of taking Whites to the Football League.

They’re sixth going into the return game at Maidstone on New Year’s Day (6pm, live on BT Sport), a point outside the play-offs.

Kinnear said: “For 30 years, not every year but practically every year, there’s always something to play for and I don’t feel any different to when I first came here.

"I think I’ve managed over 1,000 games for Dover and Margate. I’m as hungry now as I’ve always been and I’ve still got a few years in me.

“I like the competitiveness, that’s what I live for. I love it. As soon as there’s a game, you want to win.

“If I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t have lasted 30 years because I’d get found out, wouldn’t I?
“Now we’re pushing for promotion. If we do, we do. If we don’t, we don’t but it won’t be for the want of trying.”

Kinnear expects the likes of Tranmere, Lincoln and Forest Green to use their spending power in the second half of the season – but Dover will hang on in there.

He added: “A lot of the big clubs will be able to go out and keep getting players but that’s what they’ve been doing anyway and they’re still not getting away from us. It makes it easier with money but hopefully we have a little bit of spirit and we’ll see how it goes.”