by Kevin Redsull

Dover Athletic manager Nicky Forster believes the club have the potential to reach the "promised land" of the Football League.

The Whites’ manager (pictured) backed up his belief in the club’s future this week by agreeing to sign an extended contract which will keep him at Crabble until May 2014.

The former Brentford manager only arrived at Dover in early October but has already impressed chairman Jim Parmenter sufficiently to earn a longer deal, along with assistant manager Steve Brown.

Forster said: "We think this is a fantastic club. It’s got a stable fan base and financial foundations and it’s a club that we can take forward.

"We’ve enjoyed our time here and think the club can get promotion and become a force in the league above as well and then try for that promised land of full-time professional football.

"It’s easy to say that isn’t going to happen and I accept that, at the moment the club is not going to do that.

"But with the right financial backing then, over time, there’s no reason why it can’t be achieved."

Mr Parmenter added: "I’m delighted that Nicky and Steve have committed long-term to the club, this shows their belief in what can be achieved at Dover Athletic."

With Whites only five points behind fifth-placed Sutton United in Blue Square Bet South, promotion this season clearly remains a realistic ambition, especially if Dover can embark on a decent run, starting with Salisbury City at home on Saturday.