Dover Athletic boss Jake Leberl explains how Horsham manager Dominic Di Paola helped Whites sign midfielder Jack Bates as he reflects on opening-day National League South 2-0 defeat at Billericay Town

Dover have the manager of a divisional rival to thank for helping them sign midfielder Jack Bates.

Bates linked up with Jake Leberl’s National League South Whites on the eve of the season and came off the substitutes’ bench in a 2-0 loss at newly-promoted Billericay last weekend.

Most recently, one-time Derby youngster Bates - who has represented both England Colleges and England Schoolboys - had turned out for Horsham.

The 22-year-old spent time with Dominic Di Paola’s Hornets over the summer and, when a deal was not forthcoming in West Sussex, he was only too happy to put Bates’ name forward to Leberl.

Leberl conceded: “We don’t know a lot about him.

“Fair play to Dom at Horsham. He recommended him to us.

“Horsham weren’t in a position to offer him anything and it was an area where we were a bit light. We have seen a bit of Jack in training and liked the look of him.

“Hopefully, it works out well for all parties.”

It shows Leberl, whose position at Dover is the sole time he has been in the hot-seat, having previously been legendary boss Chris Kinnear’s No.2, has made some good peers in the past few years.

“There are a lot of managers that do care about their players,” added Leberl.

“He, obviously, had asked Jack to come in for pre-season.

“He knows he’s good enough for this league. Dom has been there for 11 years now and has done an amazing job.

“We have a really good relationship - it’s similar with me and Danny Scopes - so there are guys in the game that are happy to help each other.”

Whites were undone in front of an attendance of 1,093 in Essex.

They failed to make the most of a strong start, falling behind on 18 minutes, and conceding again after the restart.

Leberl reflected: “I have mixed emotions.

“I was a