After celebrating winning the Ryman League Premier Division title, Dover manager Andy Hessenthaler is hoping to be given a budget that will allow the club to compete in Blue Square South next season.

The Whites received the trophy from Ryman League officials on Saturday and, while Dover’s 2-1 home defeat against Boreham Wood put a slight downer on proceedings, Hessenthaler was quick to praise his players.

He said: “I think they should ban trophies until the end of the season because the same thing happened to us last year when we played Sittingbourne.

“It wasn’t a good performance and the players know that. I didn’t have to tell them. It was disappointing to lose our unbeaten home record but I can’t be too critical of them.

“We achieved what we set out to do with five games to go. The fans look at the bigger picture and what we have done over the season. They celebrated with us and deserved to do so.”

Dover bounced back from the defeat with a 2-0 win over rivals Maidstone at Bourne Park on Easter Monday.

Hessenthaler already has one eye on next season but is hoping that expectations won’t be too high.

He added: “I will talk to the chairman (Jim Parmenter) and will go with the budget that he gives me.

“We have to look at things and be realistic. Expectations are high because of the two promotions but I hope that people don’t over expect.

“I will try and build a squad that can have a crack at it next year. Hopefully our budget will be enough to allow us to compete at the top level in Blue Square South.”

Dover are still hoping to break the 100 point barrier and will have a say in Wealdstone’s play-off hopes when the two teams meet at the Crabble on Saturday.