ANOTHER CLEAR-OUT FOR KINNEAR
DOVER ATHLETIC boss Chris Kinnear loves a summer clear-out it seems – now he’s all set to mastermind another one.
This time last summer, Kinnear lost the core of his squad after they failed to progress through the National League play-offs.
Now, having launched another bold attempt at promotion this time round, it looks like he’ll have to do it again after losing two more key members of his squad this week.
With defender Manny Parry already having joined Boreham Wood, Kinnear lost top scorer Ryan Bird to Maidenhead United on Wednesday – and then saw star winger Mitch Pinnock join AFC Wimbledon 48 hours later.
Bird, the former Portsmouth, Cambridge United and Newport County striker, found the net 16 times last season as the Whites finished agonisingly close to the play-off positions once again.
He is Maidenhead's fourth summer signing, joining Max Worsfold, Ayo Obileye and Herson Alves in signing up for the new season with Alan Devonshire’s side.
Following him out of the door at Crabble is 23-yearold Pinnock, whose fee to League One Dons will be settled by a tribunal.
The experienced Kinnear said: “We have spoken to a lot of players and we still have those in mind who we believe fit the bill as to what we need.
“Of course there are players out there, but it is vitally important to me that we bring the right ones in – that has always been my case.
“I know some fans get frustrated by not seeing us signing players but you have to get it right.”