Dover Athletic boss Jake Leberl praises club’s off-the-field team - including support from ex-players Paul Hyde and Jimmy Strouts - as he begins planning for side on the pitch after committing to stay next season

Jake Leberl has praised Dover’s off-the-field team but knows he needs to build one to deliver on the pitch next season.

Whites manager Leberl will remain at Crabble for the 2024/25 campaign, despite the club suffering National League South relegation.

Leberl believes Whites chairman Jim Parmenter can still see positive signs despite their struggles.

Dover have been calling on the experience of ex-goalkeeper Paul Hyde and former midfielder Jimmy Strouts to help them out.

“I think he (Mr Parmenter) has been relatively pleased - not with the relegation, of course - but I think he can see what we're trying to do,” said Leberl, who also praised No.2 and Academy boss Mike Sandmann and club stalwarts, husband-and-wife team Paul and Debbie Harrison.

“He knows I care and that I’ll do the best that I possibly can. From my point-of-view, I want to help the club as much as I can.

“Mike has been absolutely brilliant. I would like to put it out there that all of us will try to stay together next season.

“Paul Hyde comes into training and helps with the goalkeepers, and he gives advice because he has got a lot of experience. Jimmy Strouts has been in and out, on the phone and helping out, so we have got a lot of good people.

“Debs and Paul have been at the club for 20-odd years. They do the kit. There’s good people that care about it.

“There’s a good team off the field - now, we have got to do our best to get a good squad, a good spirit and a good team on it.

“Hopefully, we can grow as a club and start getting numbers back through the gates.”

Leberl believes building a new Dover squad for their return to Isthmian Premier football will still be a challenge.

On sorting out his own future, Leberl said: “It’s more important that we get a