FOR a player who was linked with a move to Liverpool less than two years ago, you would suggest having a go at reaching the National League play-offs with Dover Athletic would hardly get the juices flowing.
You couldn't be more wrong. Sean Raggett may not be walking out at Anfield like the talk eluded to when the Whites reached Non-League's top tier in May 2014, but the defender can't get enough of lower league life.
Such is his excitement about the club's unexpected promotion push, the central defender has been practicing in the park by himself most mornings as his colleagues head off to work.
Aged 22, the only focus for him right now is getting Dover into the top five – and he isn't shocked by the start Chris Kinnear's men have made.
“We're not even surprised at all, that's the funny thing,” the defender said. “It's what we expected ourselves.
Speculation
“These were our aims at the start of the season and if we don't make the play-offs we will really be disappointed.
“I was linked with Liverpool and it was strange to hear what was being said but, to be honest, I just carried on playing my football.
“The speculation didn't affect me. I'm still a Dover player and I've got to carry on working at it. It's my goal to play in the Football League still, if we carry on like we have been then you can't rule it out with Dover.”
Raggett says the Whites are, all of a sudden, the team the rest don't want to play.
“I think we're one of the big boys in this league now, I really do,” he added. “Teams used to look at us and think ‘that's three easy points'. But now we've turned ourselves into one of the sides in this division the others really don't want to face.
“We're part-time but essentially I am full-time. During the day I'll be down the park practicing or in the gym working on my fitness. My whole day is focus towards football and I'd like to think it's paying off.”
