'I'm relishing the challenge'

DOVER Athletic manager Jake Leberl admits that there is a lot of work to do behind the scenes after guiding them back to National League South.

- By MICHAEL REEVES

Over the past few seasons the Whites have slipped from the National League to the Isthmian League Premier as they struggled with a lack of cash flow.

But Leberl, who returned to the club in November 2023 as assistant manager before taking full charge the following month, has master-minded a remarkable campaign at Step Three.

The Whites, for a long time, were challenging for the title before requiring a final day of the season win over Chichester City to confirm their place in the play-offs.

Dover were handed the toughest of tests in their semi-final match with a trip to a Billericay Town side that were pipped to the title by just one goal.

The Whites came through that task in Essex 2-1 after extra time thanks to a 119th-minute winner from Alfie Matthews, who had scored an equaliser in the seventh minute of second-half stoppage time to extend the tie.

Then on Bank Holiday Monday, Dover made the trip to Dartford and were celebrating once more after Ruben Soares-Junior and Matthews struck in the second half to secure the 2-0 success.

But Leberl admits, that winning promotion was not part of the plans.