Browne wants to get Dover buzzing again

STEVE BROWNE insists his side's performance on Saturday against Tonbridge Angels was not up to scratch but he will take the three points, writes Justin Allen.

The Dover Athletic boss is only too aware that climbing up the table is of the utmost importance at the moment rather than producing top performances.

He said: "We thought that the performance was a bit patchy. After playing so well at Yeading, where we ended up getting nothing, some of the players perhaps thought they only had to show up.

"But you have to give credit to Tonbridge for the way they played, although we had the chances to win the game more comfortable than did.

"Victor Renner's disallowed goal, which would have made it three, was fine. I've watched the video highlights and there was nothing wrong. I can't understand why the linesman has got his flag up.

"We understand the importance of winning our home games so perhaps there was a bit of pressure on the lads. The points were very important. We were eight points adrift of safety and couldn't afford to allow that gap to widen.

"I hope that the fans understand that, although they want to see entertaining performances, the points in the bag are the main thing at this moment in time. We've got to get ourselves up the table."

The crowd of 801 shows what a big non-league club Dover Athletic are. The Whites, despite going into the game second from bottom in the third tier of non-league football, still managed to attract more supporters than most other clubs below the Conference.

And the crowd was only slightly down on some of Dover 's average Conference gates when the club were struggling in that division. It illustrates that the Dover public want to see their team do well and can see that Browne has come into the club to shake things up and get it moving into the right direction once more.

He said: "I'd like to think they left the ground happy. Although the performance wasn't the best, they would've left delighted with the win and can see what I'm trying to do. I think they would've left thinking we're making some progress.

"The gate was higher than a lot of the FA Cup fourth qualifying round matches and just shows the potential of the club. Dover has nose-dived and is playing at a level it shouldn't be in all honesty. But we are where we are now and it's no point looking back. We've got to look ahead and get this club moving up the table - and ultimately back up the leagues.

"There is a real passion at this club and all the lads I've brought down love it. Word is getting out that Dover is a good club to play for and my phone just doesn't stop ringing with players asking me if they can come down.

"Some lads told me they didn't fancy the travelling but those same players are seeing the names that we are signing - and who are making the journey down to Dover - and suddenly want to get involved.

"But I want to get a settled team now and of course will look at players. But we will only sign players who are better than what we've got."

On-loan defender Lee Shearer - a long-time River End favourite from his days with the club in the Conference - has paid a big part in helping Browne motivate his team. And Shearer, still not 100 per cent match fit, is a player the Dover boss would love to sign permanently.

He said: "Lee has been a big influence for us. I've been amazed by how important he has become to our side. He has gone way beyond what I expected. He will get fitter and the fans are going to see an even better Lee Shearer in the coming weeks.

"The most important thing is that Lee enjoys his football. I want him to stay. He loves the club and if he can get fit, keep on doing what he's doing, we'll try and sort a deal out for Lee Shearer."

Meanwhile, Browne is looking to sign left-back Daniel Braithwaite on non-contract forms this week.

Braithwaite, 21, was released by Watford and has gone on to play for Enfield and Chesham United.

Browne rates the youngster highly and calls him "a terrific talent with real potential".

Off the field, there have been various postings on the fans' forum on the club's website about disciplinary matters.

And Browne said: "I can inform supporters that we are doing everything correct at Dover Athletic. All we ask for is for players to honour their contracts and no one player, whoever he is, will dictate to me what he will or will not do for the club.

"I am the manager and choose the team. All I do ask is that players respect what is written in their contracts. We've done nothing unreasonable since I've been at this club, we're building a good team spirit and all disciplinary matters will be dealt with internally.

"Fans of this club are paying to come through the turnstiles to pay the players' wages. We don't want any player to use this club as a gravy train. We want to win matches, get the fans buzzing again and get Dover Athletic back up to where it should be.

"We want everyone pulling in the right direction. Anyone who does not want to do that is not the kind of player we require at this football club."