Daggers' full-time ambition

Dagenham & Redbridge secured an FA Cup third-round tie against Ipswich by beating Exeter 3-0 in their second-round replay on Wednesday but the Conference club's ambitions stretch considerably further than one potential giant-killing.

Dagenham's chairman, David Andrews, announced yesterday that he will have talks with his manager, Garry Hill, next month to discuss the possibility of taking the club full-time. "It will be a gradual process but it will happen in the next two or three years," Andrews said, before confirming that Hill is likely to be offered the post as full-time manager. The majority of staff, including the players, are employed part-time.

"Garry is excellent, I can't praise him enough. He took us to promotion from the Ryman League in his first season, last term we were third and now – well I can't begin to tell you what he means to us. I will be sitting down with him in January to discuss the club going full-time."

Hill welcomed the suggestion. "I'm at a stage in life where I want to know where I'm going and if the chairman wants to sit down and talk about going full-time – I'm more than happy to do that." Of Wednesday's victory, he added: "The FA Cup is very special but I can assure you three points against Telford on Saturday is far more important."

Junior McDougald, who scored in last season's third round against Charlton and again on Wednesday, said he is looking forward to facing Ipswich. "Hopefully we can cash in on their lack of confidence and who knows? They won't relish coming to a place like our stadium and it will definitely give us an advantage. We'd be confident anyway, no matter who we were playing against."

Elsewhere in the Conference, Dover's new manager, Neville Southall, admitted that he would be paid less than his players. "There is no money, I accept that," the former Everton goalkeeper said. "In fact I've come here for less money than any of the players and I have to ship some out before I can bring any in. It is up to me to set an example. It's a tough task but a good challenge."