Manny Parry targets getting into Football League with Dover Athletic
06:00, 17 May 2018
Manny Parry has ambitions of playing in the Football League and wants to do that with Dover.
The 24-year-old defender was part of the Whites side who missed out on a National League play-off place by goal difference.
Dover occupied a place in the top seven for the majority of the season but a dip in form in the last few games in the season.
Parry said: “Most players want to play as high as you can but you have to earn that right. It does not just come to you.
“I want to play in the Football League and want to do that with Dover. Everyone at the club wants that, from the players to the fans to the management, owners and directors.
“We’ve had some time to reflect and we watched the play-of games on TV and it still hurts. It was disappointing to miss out by goal difference and you think about the ifs and buts.”
Manny Parry was not one of the six Dover players who were already under contract at the club for the 2018/19 season but he hopes to sign a contract to stay.
He played in every match for Whites last season as was part of the second best defence in the league that kept 18 clean sheets. Parry also chipped in with five league goals and his performances caught the eye this season and was named in the Non-League Paper team of the season.
Parry said: “I have enjoyed every minute of my season at Dover and we have got a great changing room. It would be great if we could all stay together and I’m sure everyone will be looking to stay.
“There’s a great management team at Dover and lots of great people behind the scenes.
“I enjoyed the season and I was pleased with my performances.
“I think it is my best season as a player getting the five goals and 18 clean sheets.
“We (the defence) all have a good relationship and that’s why we keep a lot of clean sheets. I can’t speak highly enough of them and the rest of the team who works so hard.”
Whites also announced their retained and released list. Connor Essam, Josh Passley, Manny Adebowale, Mitch Brundle, Jamie Allen and Tobi-Sho Silva all under contract.
Loan players James Alabi, Kevin Lokko, Keanu Marsh-Brown, Ade Azeez and Anthony Jeffrey all returned to their club.
The club also announced that contract negotiations are ongoing with other players in the squad.