DOVER Athletic begin pre-season training on Monday with assistant-manager Paul Hyde vowing to ensure that Whites will be as fit as any team in the Dr Martens League come their opening day fixture.

Hyde, in charge of team affairs while manager Clive Walker is coaching in America, believes that Dover began last season’s miserable Conference campaign on the wrong foot by not being fit enough.

He said: “I will spend some of Monday’s session having a good chat with the players, but after Monday it will get physical because I don’t want there to be any excuses for us not performing to the best of our ability next season.

“I believe if you look around our changing room at the players we have got then, quality-wise, we are as good as any team in the league. If we have also got the endeavour and the physical fitness to go with, then I can’t see why we can’t win the league.”

Hyde’s view is shared by one of the leading bookmakers, who have already installed Dover as 10-3 favourites to win the Dr Martens League Premier Division title, with Tamworth second favourites at 7-2.

Such optimism, however, must surely be somewhat misplaced until Dover’s new-look side have been put their through their early-season paces. Whites’ first friendly is at home to Eastbourne on July 20, followed by a home game with Gillingham on July 24. On the playing front, Hyde says his “gut feeling” is that Keith Scott will leave the club when he returns from holiday next week. On the plus side, Hyde has been contacted by former Whites goalkeeper Maurice Munden offering his services to the club.

Munden, now 39, played in Athletic’s Southern League championship-winning side and Hyde feels he is still good enough to act as cover in the Dr Martens League, especially as Phil Smith has now left the club.

Meanwhile, chairman Mick Kemp has been busy reorganising the club’s backroom staff.

Gavin Hughes, who runs the Centre Spot bar, is joining Whites’ full time as general manager and fixtures secretary.

Judy Yetman, the club secretary, has also been appointed as the new commercial manager. Kemp said: “Judy and I will be responsible for looking after the club’s commercial activities. In addition, Kerry Page has taken over the running of the Striker Lottery.”