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Manager Andy Hessenthaler says survival this season would be his biggest achievement with Dover Athletic.
Whites chairman Jim Parmenter has made no secret of the impact Covid-19 has had on the club and their playing budget.
Many of last season’s big earners have moved on from Crabble while some of those that remained were placed on the transfer list after failing to agree to pay cuts.
Hessenthaler has taken a pay cut, along with his coaching staff, and knows how difficult this period is for Dover.
“It’s been really tough for us as a club,” said Hessenthaler, who is in his second spell in charge at Crabble.
“The chairman has been honest so we’ve been juggling lots of balls around to try and get a group of players that can pull together and stay in this division. That’s our remit this year, we’re not looking to get play-offs.
“We have to pull through this year and hope that things get better financially.
“We haven’t completed our squad yet, we’ve had a few trialists with us and it might be a few weeks before we settle down.”
Hessenthaler is no stranger to battling against adversity. He took over on a three-year deal in October 2018 with Dover second-bottom in the National League after an 11-game winless run.
After turning full-time, Dover finished the season in 14th spot with 60 points, 16 clear of the relegation zone.
“We had a big challenge when we first came into the club from Eastleigh,” recalled Hessenthaler.
“Dover had played 15 games and taken seven points. We were able to change things then and went full-time.
“That was a big challenge but we achieved it. This is even bigger because of the situation we’re in.
“We’re up for the fight as a managerial team and we want players here who are up for the fight.”
Dover are due to begin their National League season behind closed doors at home to Notts County on Saturday before they visit Bromley on Tuesday night.
