by Luke Cawdell

Andy Hessenthaler has backed new Dover boss Nicky Forster to succeed at Crabble and will be doing all he can to help.

Forster, who played 67 games for the Gills between 1992 and 1994, took over from departing Dover manager Martin Hayes this week at the Blue Square South club.

Former Whites boss Hessenthaler (pictured right)quit the club to take over at Priestfield in the summer of 2010.

The Gills boss said: "He is a great lad and he is going to a very good club and a club with a good infrastructure.

"It has been a tough start for Dover this year but they have still only lost two games but that's the business isn't it; it's about results and they want success.

"Nicky (pictured below) will go into a club that is very ambitious and well supported and everything is in place to get into that Conference Premier. I am sure he will stamp his own mark on the club and bring them success. I wish him well."

Hessenthaler was criticised by Dover fans for walking out on them and taking his successor Ian Hendon with him weeks later. The Gills paid for Adam Birchall in the summer and former Dover players Ross Flitney and Matt Fish also made the move to the Gills once their deals at Crabble expired.

"I am sure Nicky will phone me and ask my advice and I would do a lot to help him," said Hessenthaler.

"I am sure Dover fans might raise an eyebrow about that, or may not want the help, but we are here to help people and I would always help Nicky because he is a great lad. Anything to help Dover I would do.

"I took Birchall because he is a league player. I took him there (to Dover) in the first place. Birchall, Fish and Flitney are all league players. People have to appreciate that the players want to play at a higher level and I am sure the fans have come to terms with it and will move on. I hope Nicky does well and does well for Dover."

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