DOVER Athletic have lured three of their former players back from Welling United, with midfielder Matt Carruthers moving in the opposite direction.

Defender Tony Browne, midfielder Lee Spiller and striker Tommy Tyne are all rejoining the Whites after one season at Park View Road. Browne and Spiller signed two-year contracts at Crabble at the weekend and Tyne will do the same when he returns from holiday in the USA.

Whites manager Clive Walker is also on holiday, but club chairman Jim Parmenter said on Whites' official website: "These three players were top of Clive's summer transfer targets and we are delighted to have secured their services for next season.

"They want to work hard for this club and help us achieve our target of winning the Ryman League Division One title next season and to then get us promoted the following season into Conference South. They have the very qualities Clive and I are looking for and it's a superb boost to what is already a very talented squad of players."

Carruthers, one of Whites' most popular players, moves to Welling as part of the deal and Mr Parmenter added: "We are sorry to see Matt Carruthers leave. Ideally, we'd have liked to keep him here but we have to stick to a budget. The deal is fantastic business for Dover Athletic.

"We get three very good players for one. It really was a no-brainer and everyone at the club cannot wait for the new season to start."

FULL STORY IN THIS WEEK'S DOVER MERCURY

* Jim Parmenter spoke to kmfm sports editor Simon Watts about the developments...