AFTER weeks of uncertainty, Dover Athletic have finally announced their new management and coaching structure for next season.

In a statement the club confirmed that chairman Mick Kemp is taking on the additional role of part-time chief executive.

Richard Langley, joint manager last season with the now departed Mark Patterson, assumes the role of head coach.

Both appointments had been widely expected, raising the question of why the club had needed so long to make them official.

But Mr Kemp, who became chairman two years ago, insisted that there had been no "hidden agendas" over their course of action. He said: "We always had it in the back of our minds that, unless somebody outstanding came along at the right price, Richard would be given the head job.

"But we decided that we wouldn't make any announcement until the final piece of the jigsaw was in place."

That occurred, added Mr Kemp, last Friday when ex-Chelsea and Arsenal youth player Gary Whittle accepted his offer to join Dover's coaching staff.

Whittle was coach of Corinthian last season when they won the Kent League Division One title, but they have subsequently dropped out of senior football, leaving Whittle looking for a new club.

The former Welling and Bromley player is one of six men, headed by Langley, who will be responsible for coaching and looking after the first and reserve teams. The others are Paul Hyde, Robin Hastie, Frank Clark (physio) and Bill Friend.

Garry Finnis takes charge of the under-18 team and Billy Bone is the club's first-ever youth development officer.

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S DOVER MERCURY