Dover Athletic assistant and Academy manager Mike Sandmann on chairman Jim Parmenter and Whites reestablishing themselves in National League South

Chairman Jim Parmenter’s continued influence at Dover has been praised by assistant manager Mike Sandmann.

Parmenter reached 20 years at the Crabble helm this year, having saved the club from the brink of extinction in 2005.

There had been some tough times for Whites prior to the 2024/25 season, which saw them relegated twice in three years.

But things are now looking up again and Sandmann, who also runs their successful Academy in Faversham, says Parmenter has always been “fantastic” to deal with as he called on the town to get behind Whites’ National League South return.

He said: “I don’t think it’s ever easy being a chairman because, when it all goes wrong, it’s put on him.

“But I can only talk from my experience, 15 years knowing him, and he’s been fantastic with me.

“He’s been supportive with the Academy and been a big part in that success and the direction that’s moved in.

“This year, he was fantastic with myself and Jake (Leberl, manager) and he wants to do the same again next year - obviously in the realms of the budget.

“That’s why we’re so keen to get people involved, get more people through the gates, supporting the club and getting season tickets.

“I know he’s had his criticism - at times probably quite harshly. Whatever’s gone in the past, that can’t be changed.

"We’ve just got to look forward.

“There’s a refreshing attitude in and around the football club, and the chairman is a huge part of that.”

While Dover are again unlikely to be anywhere near the big spenders in the division and are expected to stick with a lot of the largely youthful squad which got them up, Sandmann insists the conversations he and Leberl have had with Parmenter about their summer recruitment drive have largely been positive.

“If you